Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out:

“What are you doing here!?”

Melony’s mother shouted. Her father took just three long strides and stood towering over the short men in an instant!

The fat man had just begun to open the sack—but—

A long arm swooped down from above and snatched Hamby from the sack like a gust of wind.

“You pudgy puppy,” her father said, lifting Hamby into the air swiftly.

The short men shrieked—the towering father loomed over them, now twice as tall as before.

“Give him back! That puppy is mine! I found him first!!” the thin man shouted.

—Her father quickly handed Hamby to Melony’s mother.—

“Where are the other three pups!? Tell me—now!”

He bent so low his face nearly pressed against theirs. They trembled in fear.

“I-I-it wasn’t me…” the fat one stuttered, pointing at the thin one before tripping into a patch of rainbow grass.

“You fool! I-I didn’t hurt them! I just shaved their fur, locked them in cages, and waited for the wizard!”

“Take me to them. NOW!” her father thundered. His voice echoed through the trees.

—But when they arrived at the short men’s home—

All they found… was emptiness.

And… blood stains where the three puppies had been caged.

Melony’s tears returned… Her heart ached for the mother dog.

After that day, her father built a little house for the mother dog to stay. Melony invited her in—but the mother dog, knowing the father was allergic to unclean fur, only came inside to nurse Hamby.

She was humble. Never barked. Never whined.

No matter how ill or hurt she was—she always remained calm.

Every time Hamby barked too loudly, she’d nip his neck gently.

Because she knew… Dad didn’t like noise.

Day after day, after nursing, she would go lie under the bushes by the fence. Hamby grew bigger—almost as big as her.

And then one day… she disappeared.

No one ever saw her again.

Under the shade of that bush, she had watched over her child in silence. And when it was time to leave… she did so even more quietly. No barking. No goodbye.

—But one heart… would never forget.

The story continues...

#To Be Continued#