Heron Lake Plateau I Hear the Wind Call My Name

Man, every once and a while he was pretty sure that Owen just instinctively hated him for some reason.  Quixote was pretty sure he was being perfectly reasonable with shooing the kid out of the way so he could get out and stretch a bit too.  Maybe as Owen grew he'd get a better understanding of the fact that getting stuck in a tunnel wasn't too fun.  Give it time.  Go on, there's more room out there.

And he finally did, thank goodness.  Quixote exited the den behind him, stretching with a broad yawn, Mmmf.  Whatcha looking at ov---  Boing goes the grasshopper!  Though his words cut out as Owen panicked, he had to blink a moment and think about what had just happened.  Bravest pup in the world, obviously.  Quixote dipped his head, nuzzling the poor kid's back, speaking quietly, Hey, it's ok -- it's just a bug.  It won't hurt you.  Maybe might startle you, but that one won't hurt you -- you could go eat it if you wanted.  But would that be enough to soothe his nerves?  Aw hell, Quixote didn't know.