Swiftcurrent Creek U is for you and me

Smushyy - hehe!

Just when he'd re-situated himself, Maera came closer and shoved him with one over-sized paw. "Fwhoa!" Smush exclaimed when he teetered, nearly tumbling again. "What'd you do that for?" he asked in an injured voice.

In the blink of an eye, he returned to his usual cheery self. "I'm Smush! And you're Maera! And this is Val! And that's Lárus! And that's Joke... uh... Jökull!" Smush said, pointing at each slumbering pup in turn. Val had told him each of their names.

When he finished, he poked her nose with one tiny finger. "Wanna be my friend too, Maera?"