Sequoia Coast bully boys

The world spun even after he had stopped. Over and under, endlessly, for a few minutes at least. When he deigned to rise Damocles coughed a little oough sound and spat out some of the grit he'd somehow eaten as his face had come down.
A second or two later was an answer. It came out of the dark prior to a long pale snout, and a pair of luminous eyes the likes of which he had never seen before. Somehow familiar; imploring, with more care than caution.
Damocles couldn't effectively bristle with the short quality of his coat but, that's the feeling that rippled through his body. He punched the sand and tried to push himself back and up at the same time, to give himself some space, but the sand gave way instead.
Alert now - if a bit dizzy - the dog observed the stranger with an obvious stare.