Heron Lake Plateau cash in the bank

She was on her way back from the thicket with a newly-picked batch of medicinal plants and herbs she intended to dry for later use when a familiar voice interrupted the afternoon calm. She felt a sudden lurch of excitement. Tegan's back! She whirled to face him, a wide grin on her face, and -- dropping the cluster of plants and tucking them aside so they wouldn't scatter -- quickly loped toward him. She had waited with anticipation for the boy's return, her nerves on edge the entire time as she worried for his safety, and she was eager to hear how his trip had gone and if there was any news from her sister.

As she approached him, she wagged her tail and touched his muzzle with hers in a gesture of greeting and friendship. "Hey! Welcome home, Tegan!" she said, her voice almost breathless with relief and excitement at the sight of him. She'd been so paranoid of something happening to him that seeing him home safe was a huge weight off her back.