Phoenix Maplewood look around, leaves are brown

He had barely gotten the words out before the burly brown form of Murdock hurtled toward him, wrestling him to the ground. With a bark of laughter, Shale twisted and turned--he might be getting old, but he was still spry--and managed to dislodge the weight atop him, hopping in the air almost gleefully and pouncing on Murdock.

"The hell have you been, Murdock?" he panted as he wrestled, tail wagging with delight. He ceased his play for a moment and took a couple steps back, surveying the older wolf.

Time had been reasonably kind to him; he looked mostly the same as he did the last time Shale had seen him, which had been a while ago. And wherever he lived now treated him well, for Murdock was well-fed and seemed rested. Shale wondered whether he had a family here, or even a pack of his own.