Phoenix Maplewood got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home

Perplexed, he rolled down to the ground with her, and as she started to nip at his muzzle, he let out a series of giggles, back paws twitching. "That tickles," he gasped between licks and chuckles, feeling rather childlike. His tail beat against the ground, thump thump thump, and he did his best to reciprocate, though struggling for breath due to laughter.

Shale rolled onto his belly and regarded her with sparkling eyes, half-hiccuping. "So that's how it goes," he snorted, raising his eyebrows. He regarded the girl for a long moment before looking away, thinking of his brother. He'd played, once upon a time, with Murdock, when the brown male was a lanky yearling and he just a spit of a pup. Just like this. Carefree. . .happy.

"How many brothers and sisters do you have?" he asked suddenly, turning his gaze back to Skraeling.