Otatso Wetlands early drinkin' [m]

a muscle jumped in colt's jaw. he hated to admit it. "well, sadey. better us'n anyone else, hm? she can leave anytime, join a pack. but we'll teach her how to survive without. don't ferget, we're improvin' her chances."
he was about to change the subject when their jolly caretaker reappeared. she tossed a frog his way and he bent to pick it up with effort. "say now, that's real kind'o yew, lonesome," the man said, chewing off a leg. "as yew can see, we're on the mend. once i can be up'n at em, we'll do a good hunt for yew, repay it all nice like." he grinned but his eyes searched for her response.