Lost Creek Hollow where and when along the way

Just before he could entirely nod off and whisk himself back away into some deep tunnel of sleep, one of the puppies mewled. That jarred him, if only for the fact that he found the adjustment to such a noise to be so new. It was brief, a puncturing note through whatever fog he resigned himself to, and he had lifted his head well before opening an eye to look over them.

Truth be told, he had his own issues telling them apart. One of them had remained nestled firmly against Harlyn, but the other two had found themselves somewhere in between their parents, not entirely outside of that realm of warmth but to him still squabbling over who got to be closer. He coiled in closer to them, muzzle reaching out to wash his tongue over the duo that presently locked themselves together. If it quieted them, perhaps he could nudge them back towards Harlyn, but he hoped it would sooth them rather than provoke their cries.