Sun Mote Copse And so I quit the p'lice department

He heard her victorious claim before he could see it, as it took him several moments to gracelessly back himself out of the bush he'd gotten snagged in, and ended up ripping several small branches free in the process. He flounced back when he was finally released, and shook his pelt free of leave and branches (most of them, anyway) and looked over to see Meerkat proudly standing over her kill. He offered her a rumbling growl, and approached with his tail low, swinging from side to side to show deference and comraderie as he nipped her cheek. 

-Great job, Meerk!- He said, his expression full of pride but within his eyes a small sparkle- a tinge of bittersweet pain knowing that this meant she was growing up, and wouldn't depend on him quite as much, now that she'd proven that she could hunt and kill. Still- it was an occasion to celebrate. -Geez, you're- He said, reaching out to test her height compared to his, by levelling his muzzle out. She wasn't as tall as him, of course, and still had weight to put on- but she wasn't terribly puppyish anymore, either. -You're almost as tall as I am too,- He said, though it was an exaggeration.