She’d never seen the ocean before. The endlessness had been overwhelming upon first sight. Senka had padded along the water’s edge, admiring the splendor of the sea, inhaling the salted atmosphere. She’d splashed and pounced much like a young pup, tossing kelp and seaweed and chasing shorebirds.

Upon the depletion of her energy, the old wolf plopped herself down among the golden grass to rest. Muscles ached from the unsteady shifting sand. Tongue lolled happily and she stretched with a relaxed yawn.

An unknown amount of time had passed in her ease and admiration of this new world. It could have been hours or mere minutes sitting in the warm sand, the sun beating down, and she didn’t care either way. The tranquility was abruptly interrupted by a splashing, sputtering sound from down the beach. She craned her neck until she saw a black and white figure in the distance. They seemed uncertain on their limbs, collapsing onto their stomach after only a few steps.

Senka pulled herself up and watched for a mere moment before deciding to approach. Her long legs weaved closer, ears upright. The acidic odor of vomit hit her nose first and the old woman slowed to a stop.

Hello, dear! She called out, voice dry and raspy as it always was, Are you alright? Do you need help?

Her fur had dried, sticking out more than usual from her frolic in the water, and sand still clung to her legs and belly. She may have given herself a quick shake had she not been staring at the poor soul in front of her, concern etched across her whitened face.

You look a bit like a drowned rat, at the moment. The words stumbled from her lips before she realized.