Redhawk Caldera Forever pretend in our shelters we don’t fall

He waited patiently as Sassafras gathered her thoughts, dropping to his haunches on the ice alongside her. His ears cupped toward her and while he found himself anticipating the spring thaw -- the ground beneath his hindquarters was cold! -- he paid attention to her words and found himself smiling in wry agreement.

"I know how you feel," Elwood admitted, his shoulders sagging slightly as the words left his mouth. It was never-ending, it seemed: after Fox's death, he had been thrust into Alphaship and had taken over as a surrogate parent for the firebirds. On top of that, there had been the terrible weather, the cave-in, and the loss of not just one, but two of the puppies. Now they were caring for Airi; and in the meantime, Liffey had chosen this opportunity to grow up and start defying her parents.

It was exhausting.

"What's bothering you, specifically?" he asked gently.