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Bingo watched the sky get darker from her seat in Bobo.
"Can we play the constellation game when the stars come out?"
Her Father, Bandit, from the driver seat said, "Sorry kiddo, you need to head in to class right away. We won't have time to play before."
Bingo slumped in her seat.
Chilli, her Mother, turned to face Bingo and her Sister Bluey, from her passenger seat.
"We are staying the night at the campground. Remember? With the cabins?"
Bluey wagged her tail.
"We can play before bed!"
Bandit made a noise like a buzzer going off.
"You two will go straight to bed. Bluey. You fell asleep after your first Run. You were so tired."
Bingo remembers that night.
Bluey and her Dad went to the Run two years ago, when Bluey turned 14.
It was tradition for all dogs to go on a Run in the wilderness when they mature.
Bingo and Mum waited at the campsite.
The cabin was not very big.
Only meant for those participating for the night.
It was a bit boring.
There was no T.V. and bad reception for internet.
That was the point.
Mum tried her best to keep 12-year-old Bingo from falling asleep, so she could greet her Sister when she got back.
She fell asleep at 11.
In the morning, Bluey complained of sore muscles.
When Bingo tried to ask about the Run, Bluey gave a cheeky grin.
"Can't tell you! You'll have to wait till it's your turn!"
Bingo sulked.
Two whole years of waiting!
That felt impossible!
Now it was her time!
She just turned 14 three weeks ago.
The family was planning for this trip for a while.
Now the whole family was going on the Run!
They passed a sign that read, Trial Trail Run! Next Left!
Bingo wagged her tail.
"We're here!"
She was so excited!
And nervous!
What was the Run really like?
She knew from stories, and movies what it was supposed to be.
A coming of age run for dogs to return to nature.
Just for the night, when the moon was brightest.
Watching a group of young pups going through it on a screen was different from experiencing it for yourself.
Bluey said in a low voice, "Ooo! Look how dark it is!"
It was dark now.
Chilli scolded Bluey.
"Don't try and scare your sister!"
Bingo rolled her eyes.
"Mum... I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm not scared of the dark."
Bluey kept grinning.
"Yeah, Mum! If she was, she could always go on the Sensory Path."
Bingo and Chilli wrinkled their noses.
It was Bandit that scolded Bluey next.
"Hey! That path is meant for those scared of the trail, or disabled in some way. I don't want to hear you making fun of those that choose that path."
Bluey's ears flattened.
"I wouldn't. I just know the Sensory Path is boring. Snickers had to run on that path. He hated it."
Chilli said, "Don't tease your sister, please Bluey. Not tonight."
Bluey looked at the floor.
"Sorry, Bingo. I wouldn't think less of you if you picked that path."
Was the Run really that bad?
They turned left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There were other cars in the parking lot.
Bingo could see different kids around her age standing in front of the main building.
Dad parked the car.
"Here we are! Right on time too!"
Bluey chugged her bottle of water.
"I need the bathroom!"
Dad chuckled.
"Come on squirt. We can unload with Mum, while Bingo goes to the class."
Bingo's ears flatten.
"I have to go by myself?"
Mum smiled.
"Not by yourself. Look at all the other kids here to go with you!"
Bingo sighed in relief.
It wasn't so bad if there were other teens with her.
Bluey got out of the car.
"Oh! Hey! Snickers! What are you doing here?"
Snickers, Bluey's school friend, waved.
"Hey Bluey! I actually am volunteering this year."
Bingo climbed out the car to walk to her sisters side.
Bluey's eyes went wide.
"I didn't know you could do that? I thought you had to be 18."
Snickers said, "18 for the regular Run. 16 and older for the Sensory Path."
Bluey tilted her head.
"I thought you didn't like it when you did it?"
Snickers nodded.
"I didn't. I also saw other kids having a blast on the Path. There was a dog in a wheelchair running on her front paws. She was the fastest one! I'm assigned a kid named Remi, he's blind. I get to hold his leash as we run. Well... maybe a gentle jog. Don't want him running into anything."
Bluey said, "That's really cool Snickers!"
Snickers waved a paw.
"Nah! I still wish I could do the real Run-"
Bingo piped up, "The Sensory Path counts as a real run. My dad said so."
Bluey and Snickers shared a look.
Snickers said, "You'll see the differences immediately tonight."
Bluey then did a jig.
"Ah! That waters coming on fast! Got to go!"
She waved to Snickers and Bingo as she made her way to the cabins.
Snickers walked over to the other teens.
Bingo followed.
From the parking lot, a small child was crying as, what looked to be there big brother, walked over to the group.
He gave a sheepish smile.
"My kid brother thinks the Dingo's will get me."
Bingo giggled.
Dingoes were wild dogs, that preferred the outbacks to modern society.
It was a stereotype that they eat bad children that wonder into the wilderness.
Dingoes just had a different lifestyle.
Bingo met a group of them camping one year.
They had a scary look to them, but were over all nice.
Bingo got to try throwing one of their Boomerangs to hunt down a bird.
She couldn't kill a real bird, so they just did aim practices on trees.
Bluey was wonderful at it.
She got it to go really far, then have it return close by.
The boy held out a hand.
"Hi. I'm Otis. First time running?"
Bingo shook his hand.
"I'm Bingo. Yes, this is my first Run."
Otis grinned.
"Me to! I'm so nervous!"
Snickers smiled at the boy.
"You'll be just fine if you listen to the teacher."
The doors to the building opened to reveal-
A Dingo!
Wait... His tail curled a little.
He must be a half-breed.
"Good night kids!"
There was a ripple of giggles in the group.
The man raised a paw.
"I'm Ces! I'll be your teacher for tonight. Can I have my volunteers head to classroom 3? You will be going over safety guidelines with Nathra."
Snickers petted Bingo's head before heading in.
Ces brought a paw up to his eyes to peer into the group.
"Looks like quite of few of you are here. Can I get everyone to pair in a group of two or three?"
Otis glanced at Bingo.
"Want to pair up?"
Bingo nodded.
"Sure!"
Bingo looked around.
Every one was pairing up.
There was one shy girl in the back.
Bingo went up to her.
"Hi. I'm Bingo."
The girl mumbled "Phoebe."
Otis caught on to what Bingo was doing.
He asked, "Want to join our group?"
The girls tail wagged a tiny bit.
"Okay... If you don't mind..."
Ces said, "Alright! Looks like you're all paired up. Let's start with a little history lesson."
The kids groaned.
Ces chuckled, "I know, I know! You guys want to get to the fun stuff!"
The kids shouted out "YEAH!"
Ces grinned, "To bad! We get to go over a bunch of stuff first."
The kids groaned again.
Ces led them inside.
There was a rock mural on the wall.
Ces pointed to it.
"Who here knows about Thylacine?"
Some kids raised their hands.
Phoebe was one of them.
Ces picked Phoebe.
She answered, "They were known as Australian Tiger Dogs, due to their stripes."
Ces gave a thumbs up.
"Very good! Notice how she said were? Why is that?"
A kid in the back said, "They died out!"
Ces gave another thumbs up.
"That's right! They are an extinct breed."
Ces pointed to the rock mural.
It had a cave drawing on it depicting a group of dogs running after a kangaroo.
Ces said, "Back in the day, we dogs were hunters. We chased after our food. Some dogs still do this. It's a lot harder than hunting for sales in a grocery store!"
He showed off his pointed teeth.
"Trust me! I had to hunt for my coming of age."
One of the kids said, "You didn't Run?"
Ces grinned.
"I'm half Dingo. I have full-blooded members in the family that still live in the outbacks. Our traditions are different from modern dogs."
A kid asked, "Why can't we hunt?"
Ces got a serious look on his face.
"Honestly, the Run was designed to be safer. For us dogs and the wild animals. Can you imagine if all dogs had to hunt? There wouldn't be any animals left in the wilderness! Or worse. An animal might attack you! Ever seen a crocodile in the wild?"
Bingo shivered.
A crocodile would eat her alive in one gulp!
Ces then started to hold up his fingers naming animals.
"Snakes, spiders, ants, even those that hunt in the ocean have to watch out for sharks and jellyfish."
The kids all glanced around nervously.
Ces dropped his paw.
"These designated areas that have the Run are mapped out to avoid those kinds of situations. Here in Australia they were made with the help from my people, the Dingoes. The oldest dog breed left down under."
A kid raised their hand.
"In the states they have actual wolves make the Run! That's always shown in the movies."
Ces snapped his fingers.
"That's correct! We dogs all come from wolves. Some areas wolves are extinct do to breeding. Like in Japan. The Honshū wolf is completely gone."
Bingo thought that was really sad.
A whole breed just gone from the world.
Ces tilted his head.
"Why all the long faces? We can't help what happened in the past. We learn from our ancestors mistakes and know not to do them ourselves. That's why we have culture! To see what there life was like in the old days."
He pointed to the mural again.
"Has anyone noticed something these dogs are doing that we don't do anymore?"
Otis raised his hand.
"They are running on all fours!"
Ces grinned.
"Yes! And that, is what a Run is!"
He guided the kids over to a gym.
There was an obstacle course.
"When's the last time any of you ran on all fours?"
A kid said, "Not since I was a toddler!"
Ces waved a hand.
"Ah yes. The nipping phase."
The group laughed at that.
Ces then dropped to all fours and ran.
He charged right at a hoop, and jumped through it.
The kids cheered!
Ces trotted back to the group.
"This gym is to help you get a feeling for your paws. Everyone can practice all they want. It can also help you decide on what path you want to take."
He stood back up.
"But first! We get to watch a safety video! Starring Indiana Bones!"
Tails were wagging.
Everyone knew Indiana!
His movies were classics.
Her dad had the complete set of DVDs.
The kids sat in front of a screen.
Ces made sure the smaller breeds were in front.
The video started.
A dog was running from a giant boulder.
He was running on his hind legs.
Then he switched to running on all fours.
He was much faster.
The video paused.
Indiana Bones walked into the shot.
"Hey there! I'm Indiana Bones. You might recognize me from my movie. Raiders of the Lost Bark. That's where this scene was from. I had to train really hard to do my own stunt running."
Indiana then went on to explain safety tips on running on all fours.
"Rule number 5! Use your nose! Our nose is better than our eyes. When running on all fours, you are moving much faster. Sometimes things blur. Trust your snout! If you smell something, like water, there is a good chance there is a water source nearby."
"Rule number 6! Avoid waters! Charging into the waters is a bad idea when running. Especially at night. Only in designated areas can you swim. Ask your guide if it's okay to swim."
Ces yelled over the film, "It's not in Australia!"
The kids giggled.
There were a lot of rules to running on all fours.
Bingo remembers Socks puppy stage.
She made it look easy.
After the video, Ces stood in front of the kids.
"Any questions?"
Bingo raised her hand.
Ces pointed at her.
"How come toddlers make it look easy?"
Ces chuckled.
"Have you ever really seen a puppy run? They don't go very fast, and trip over themselves all the time. They are lower to the ground so it doesn't hurt them when they fall. Puppies just get right back up."
Ces got on all fours again.
"If I trip, going full speed, it's going to hurt. Especially if I'm in the woods with rocks and sticks in the way."
He walked up to a rubber pole.
"If this was a tree..."
He walked right into it, so his nose was smashed against it.
"I would need to go to the hospital."
Bingo rubbed her nose.
Phoebe asked, "Are there doctors nearby in case accidents happen?"
Ces nodded.
"Yes! We have first aid trained staff, and nurses on stand by this time of year. If it's a real emergency, you will be air lifted to the nearest hospital via helicopter."
Some kids said, cool!
Ces frowned.
"Not cool when you don't pay attention to your surroundings and fall off a cliff."
The teens were quiet.
Ces stood and clapped.
"Okay kiddo's! You have an hour to practice in the gym. Then we will go over trail runs! Let's do some stretches!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bluey was going over trail runs back in the cabin with her parents.
"Which one do you think Bingo will pick?"
Chilli looked it over.
"The Green Trail sounds nice. Lots of plants."
Bluey stuck out her tongue.
"That's an easy trail! We should do Spooky Trail!"
Bandit shuddered.
"Where you're chased by a pack of mask wearing dogs. No, thank you!"
Bluey jumped up to do some stretches.
"It's supposed to get your adrenalin really pumping! Flight or fight!"
Chilli chuckled.
"You really think your Sister will pick that as her first Run?"
Bluey grinned.
She knew her Sister would most likely pick an easy path.
Bluey remembers picking the Animal trail when she went.
There were real birds to sniff.
The trail had taxidermies animals that were scattered around for her to track down.
They gave you a fun scratch and sniff card to help.
Bluey missed the possum and echidna.
"If we do the Animal Trail again, I'm going to find all the animals this time!"
Bandit said, "They move those animals around to different places. You would have to start all over."
Bluey let out an overexaggerated moan and flopped onto the bed.
"I can't have bragging rights if I don't find all the animals!"
Rusty did the Animal Trail. He found all the animals.
He got a little badge as proof from the overseers.
Bluey wanted that badge.
Chilli reminded Bluey that her sister got to pick.
Bluey guessed it didn't matter, as long as her family went together.
"Which one of you will run with me?"
Bandit went to rub Bluey's head.
"I will! It's you and me again. Your first Run is usually the slowest. We can run ahead of Bingo and show her how it's done!"
Bluey wagged her tail.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This was harder than Ces made it look.
Bingo got the hang of walking on all fours easily enough.
It was the running and jumping that was tricky.
Bingo ran through the weave posts.
She kept rubbing to close to them.
Otis was trying to do the hoops.
He was really good, till he got to the higher ones.
His back legs were hitting the hoops as he leaped out.
He rolled on the safety mat.
"Ugh! I can't do it!"
He rubbed his back leg.
Phoebe came up to check him out.
"Does it hurt?"
Otis shook his head.
"Nah. It just feels weird when I keep hitting the same spot over and over."
He got back up on all fours.
"Come on! Let's try the doggie climb."
Otis and Bingo had no trouble with going up and down the steep planks.
Phoebe was more crawling, then on all fours.
Bingo thought Phoebe just needed to find her feet.
"Phoebe, why don't we try the tunnel crawl? You can go slow through that one."
Otis went first to show the girls.
Bingo went in the tunnel.
It was a little on the small size, so she more shimmied in it then ran.
Phoebe walked in.
At least she was on all fours.
Ces blew a whistle.
"Ten minutes!"
A buzz of excitement.
Otis was chasing his tail.
"I'm so ready! I'm going to do the hardest trail!"
Bingo was surprised.
"Really? For your first Run?"
Phoebe was gazing at the ground.
"You don't know what it is. None of the older kids at school would tell me what to expect."
Otis stopped his tail chasing.
"True. I'm the oldest in my family. My Mum said it's changed a bit from when she was young."
Bingo's Mum said the same thing.
She grew up near the edge of the woods.
Grandad had Mum and Aunty Brandy run through his own trail he made himself.
That wasn't really allowed anymore.
Dogs still did it in more rural areas, or if they were old-fashioned, but more accidents happened.
Bingo said, "I'm glad it's safer. My Dad said he knew a guy that lost an arm from a crocodile when he did his Run."
Phoebe shuttered.
"Avoid waters!"
The three nodded in agreement.
Ces blew his whistle.
"Time to go!"
Many tails wagged as they exited the gym.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bluey reached the totems.
This was the point to return to nature.
Once you walk past these sacred wood works, you could only walk on all fours.
Bluey did a cartwheel, then entered her stance.
Her parents dropped to all fours.
Bandit stretched.
"It feels so natural after so many times."
There was a pop from his back.
"Woof! That felt nice!"
Bluey gave a joyful ruff.
Chilli walked over to a group of adults to socialize.
Bluey looked around for Snickers.
She saw him low to the ground, wearing a safety vest.
"Snickers!"
He wagged his tail.
"Bluey! I get to meet Remi soon. We are number 3 on the Sensory Path."
Bluey looked over to the Sensory Path.
It was more like a park.
Fairy lights ran on the ground so you couldn't stray off the path.
Flowers and bushes of all kinds decorated the way.
Bluey really hoped Bingo didn't chicken out and go for the Sensory Path.
She wanted to run on the Run!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bingo looked at the beautifully painted totems.
Ces explained that once you walk past them, you were to be closer to nature.
Only be on four legs!
"Right, the Trails."
He pointed to a bunch of pictures on the wall.
"We have different Trails for different experiences."
Ces gestured to a group of pictures.
"First up is the Sensory Path. This is the easiest trial. All you have to do is follow the path! You don't even have to run. You can take your time."
Bingo wrinkled her nose.
That looked to easy.
"Next are the nature trails. We have the Green Trail. It has soft grass for you to run in. And flowers for you to sniff."
Bingo thought that sounded nice.
"The Animal Trail has special birds you can hear as you run. You can even take the Sniff Challenge, and find all the hidden smells we have all over the place."
Bingo didn't want to stop and sniff, she wanted to run!
"The Sky Trail lets you run under the moon. There are some rocky areas were you can climb and howl at the moon."
That sounded like fun!
There were other trails that got harder.
The Spooky Trail sounded awful.
Why would you want to be chased?
Last was the Bush Run.
It was a wild area that had no trails.
You could technically run anywhere.
That meant there were less safety precautions in that area.
Otis was thinking it over.
"I don't know... I changed my mind on the harder trails..."
Bingo patted his back.
"That's okay. What one are you going to do?"
Phoebe had her tail tucked up close to her.
"I think I'll do the Sensory Path."
Otis snorted.
"Oh come on! You got to try and run one of the trails! It will be funner!"
Phoebe said, "I don't really like running on all fours."
Bingo could understand that.
"Phoebe can pick whatever she wants for her first Run. Next year she can come and try a different one if she wants."
Otis scratched his chin.
"Yeah. Bingo's right. You pick whatever one you want."
Ces let the kids look at the pictures.
Otis decided to do the Tree Trail.
"It's like the obstacle course in the gym!"
Except everything was made of wood, not safer materials.
"If you hit yourself on one of those hoops, it will really hurt."
Otis wagged his tail.
"I like the challenge!"
Phoebe decided, in a moment of bravery, to do the Green Trail.
Bingo hugged her.
"Good choice!"
That left Bingo.
"I want to howl at the moon! I pick the Sky Trail."
Ces had a clipboard and was writing down names, and what trial they picked.
"Otis, you want to do the Tree Trail. Who will run with you?"
"My Mum."
"Got it. You will be number 2 on the Tree Trail."
Ces looked at Bingo.
"Bingo. The Sky Trail. Who are you running with?"
"My family! My Mum and Dad and Big Sister Bluey!"
Ces beamed.
"A group! You will be number 4."
Once all the kids were written down, Ces guided them to the back door.
"Alrighty! Past this point, it's all fours!"
Bingo was ready.
Ces opened the door.
The group of teens fell forward to run out to meet the others outside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bluey watched as an elderly couple walked the Sensory Path.
It was their anniversary.
Bluey thought that was sweet.
Guess the Sensory Path wasn't that bad.
Snickers was with a dog on a leash.
It looked like Remi's Dad was talking to Snickers about pulling on Remi's leash.
Bluey looked up at the sky.
The moon was brightest this time of year.
No cloud in sight.
She could see a few stars.
When they get out into the trails that is when they will come out.
The doors opened.
Out came a group of ecstatic teens.
"Bluey!"
Bingo ran up, to fast, and collided with Bluey.
"Oof! Bingo!"
Bluey gently nipped her Sister's side.
The two giggled.
Bluey wagged her tail.
"What Trial did you pick?"
"The Sky Trail!"
Bluey let out a yip.
"Perfect! Sometimes, if their loud enough, others on the trails can hear the howling!"
Bingo was jumping up and down.
"This will be so cool!"
One of the councilors came over with a safety box.
"For those that need a little more security, we have extra safety vests, headlights, and boots."
She held up a poop bag.
"We remember rule number 2?"
The response from the crowd was, "No poddy breaks!"
She said, "Accidents happen. If that does, please keep the trails clean. Pick up after yourself."
Bandit came up to the girls.
"Anyone need the dunny?"
Bluey just went so she's good.
Bingo shook her head.
"No, Dad."
Chilli came over wearing a safety vest.
Bluey rolled her eyes.
"Really Mum?"
Her Mum winked.
"Better safe than sorry."
Bingo said, "I don't mind."
The old couple had finished their walk.
The next group was to start.
A dog with three legs was up.
Bingo asked, "Doesn't he have anyone to run with him?"
Bandit answered, "You can run by yourself on the Sensory Path, even if you're under the age of 18."
That made sense to Bluey.
"You aren't leaving the campground, so even if you trip, staff will be able to help fast."
The boy with three legs still ran well.
A counselor came up to Bingo.
"Hello! Are you the Heeler family?"
Bandit said, "That's us!"
The counselor pointed down the camp site.
"If you follow me, it's a twenty-minute walk to the Sky Trail."
There was another group with them.
The oldest one looked like a granny.
"We're the Romagnolo family. I'm Nest."
Bandit shook her hand.
Next to Nest were two girls a little older than Bluey.
"We're here for a girls trip! This one, Kin, is going off to college soon!"
Kin playfully rolled her eyes.
"Grammy. You don't need to tell everyone."
The other girl smiled.
"You like it Kin!"
Kin laughed out a, "Shut up, Shore!"
The girls nipped at one another.
Their counselor let out a bark.
They stilled.
The counselor said, "My name is Chex. I will be walking you to your Run. Let's all get along!"
The group begun their walk.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bingo's front paws were not used to the dirt path.
She could feel every tiny rock she stepped on.
So weird.
Mum's vest shone under the moonlight.
It would be easier to follow.
And if she got lost, she would be easy to spot.
The grown ups were talking about grown up things.
My kid this, my kid that.
What do you do for a living?
Have you traveled much?
Where did you meet your spouse?
Bleh!
Boring!
Bluey and Kin were talking about school.
Shore glanced back at Bingo, who was taking up the rear.
She slowed down.
"Hey."
Bingo said, "Hi."
Shore then said, "Sorry about my Gran and cousin. Their real chatter boxes."
Bingo shrugged, forgetting she was on all fours.
She stumbled a little.
Shore smiled.
"It's always hardest the first time."
Bingo said, "Everyone says that. I can't see myself getting used to it."
Shore said, "When you start running, it will feel like you've always walked on all your paws."
Then she added, "If you step on a thorn, don't panic. Your paw pads are thicker then you think."
Bingo asked, "Are there many thorns on this trail?"
Shore nodded.
"They try their best to keep the paths clear of debris, but it's nature. Can't control it all. Just manage it."
Bingo was determined to stay on the paths.
Chex barked.
"We can see the trail from here!"
Bingo rushed ahead to see.
It was beautiful.
When Bingo pictured the outback, this is what she imagined.
Rocks and bushes, with trees scattered here and there.
Chex pointed to a cliff side.
"See that? We call that Howling Point. It's the best place to let your voice out."
Bingo tucked her tail under herself.
It was on a cliff?
She had to run up there?
Chilli came up to Bingo's side.
"Hey. It's okay. We don't have to go up there-"
Bingo's tail shot up.
"No! Mum, I want to! I can do it!"
She could!
She wanted to howl at the moon.
Chilli smiled.
"Good girl! You just follow me. We'll take the long way up."
Bingo felt better.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bluey and Bingo played the constellation game as they waited for the Romagnolo's to finish their Run.
Bingo pointed up to the sky.
"I see... a cat... No! A space cat! See it's helmet?"
Bluey tilted her head.
"Yeah! It's next to the gorilla with the pineapple."
Both girls giggled.
Making up constellations with Bingo was always fun.
From the trail they heard howling.
Bluey had the urge to howl back.
She had to wait.
Chex wagged their tail.
"Hear that? The Romagnolo's got to the cliff."
From the waiting point, they could not see the cliff from here. It was too far away.
Not to mention dark.
Even with the stars and moon out.
Chex turned to them.
"When they get back, it will be your turn. Do we need to go over anything?"
Bluey raised a hand.
"I'm running with Dad. What's the best trail on this trial?"
Chex hummed.
"If you stick to the left, it slopes up to a rock ridge. Great place to run. Just watch out for the crack. You will have to jump it."
Bandit asked, "Is it a large crack?"
Chex shook their head.
"For your breed, no. Just keep running and jump! You'll make it."
Bluey looked at her Dad.
"Let's do it!"
Bandit got into a play stance.
"You got it! Just follow me Bluey."
Bingo said, "Mum?"
Chilli patted Bingo's head.
"Like I said, we'll take the long way. No jumping for us. Unless you want to?"
Bingo shook her head.
"No, I'm alright with the long way."
The girls went back to there game.
Bandit and Chilli whispered, then shared a kiss.
Bluey saw and yelled, "Kissy-kiss!"
Bandit said, "Just a kiss for luck."
Bluey and Bingo made kissing noises.
Their parents were so affectionate sometimes.
Chex's ears perked up.
"Oh! I think that's them!"
They all went quiet.
The sound of paws on dirt, running their way was heard.
Kin and Shore were neck and neck in a race.
Bluey and Bingo cheered them on.
With a burst of speed, Shore took the lead.
Both girls had their tongue out and panting.
Shore let out a whoop.
"I won! I beat you, Kin! You totally owe me a bag of Tim Tams!"
Kin flopped on to the ground.
"Man! I thought I had you!"
Nest came around the bend.
She was panting happily.
"You girls sure know how to make me feel young!"
Nest went to lay down next to Kin.
Shore clambered on them both.
They stayed in their fur pile.
Chex checked them over.
"All good? Just tired? You guys rest."
Chex lined up the Heelers.
"Right. It's your turn! There are branching paths. Stay in groups of two. And when you make it to Howling Point, let out your loudest howl!"
Bluey took a glance at her Sister.
Bingo was shaking, from nerves, but was wagging her tail.
"Ready Bingo!"
Bingo clawed at the dirt.
"Ready!"
Chex shouted out.
"RUN!"
They took off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bingo ran after her Mum.
With the safety vest, she was easy to follow.
Bluey and Bandit ran ahead.
She could barely make them out in the dark.
Bingo remembered rule number 5.
She inhaled through her nose.
Familiar scent filled her snout.
Bluey smelled like a sunny day.
Bandit's smell was musky.
Chilli smelt like her perfume.
Her family.
Bingo felt the dirt fly under her paws.
Shore was right.
She felt like she had always ran on all fours.
Bingo let out an excited yip.
Her family joined in.
They barked, till the path forked.
Her Dad looked over to Bluey.
"This way!"
Bluey chased after Bandit.
Chilli ran straight ahead.
"Bingo! Keep an eye out for your Sister!"
She sniffed the air again.
Bluey's scent was close.
She couldn't see her Sister right now, but knew she was nearby.
Chilli ran to a bush.
"Let's try a leap!"
Bingo followed her Mum's lead.
Chilli sailed over the bush.
Bingo knew she could do it!
This bush was lower to the ground than the hoops she practiced on.
She jumped!
The bush tickled her stomach as she leaped over it.
She landed in the dirt and took off after her Mum.
Chilli yelled, "Good job!"
Bingo laughed.
This was so much fun!
Then she saw a shadow on the path.
She turned to see her Father and Sister running on the rock ridge.
The moonlight seem to make there blue fur shine.
Bingo saw the crack in the ridge.
She slowed down to watch.
Bandit charged.
He leaped over the crack with no problem.
Bluey ran faster.
She was a blue blur.
Bluey jumped.
It was like slow motion.
Watching her Sister gracefully vault over the crack. Her fur rippling around her.
She was beautiful.
Bingo barked out a cheer.
Bluey barked back.
Chilli yelled, "Do you smell that?"
Bingo sniffed.
There was an animal nearby.
Along with a water source.
Chilli called out, "Want to check it out?"
Bingo remembered rule number 6.
"We aren't going in the water?"
Chilli yelled out, "No, just want to see the animals."
Bingo followed her Mum.
Getting closer to the water, she saw it.
An owl!
It was sitting on a rock.
The large bird must have heard them.
It spread it's wings and took flight.
Bingo looked up to watch it.
A shadow along the night sky.
Bingo ran and leaped.
She wanted to fly.
Fly like her Sister did.
Chilli let out a bark.
Bingo looked ahead.
Bandit and Bluey were up at Howling point.
They barked encouragement.
Bingo, feeling bold, ran as fast as she could.
She passed her Mum.
"Go Bingo!"
Bingo ran up, and up to her Sister.
She made it!
Bingo was breathing hard.
Chilli came up to sit.
Bluey went to nudge Bingo with her nose.
"Go on Bingo! You start!"
Bingo took in some breaths.
Then she threw her head back.
And howled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was slower on the way back.
Bingo was starting to feel tired.
Bluey was running in lead.
"Want to race?"
Bingo let out a breath.
"I'm tired."
Bandit snickered.
"See? I told you. You'll be asleep before your head hits the pillow."
They ran for what felt like forever now.
Her paws hurt.
They turned the bend to see Chex waiting with the Romagnolo's.
Bluey was first.
"Yay! I can do this all night!"
Bingo finally stopped running.
She panted.
"I'm thirsty."
Chex got out a canteen for her.
"You guys made it to Howling Point! How was it?"
Bingo could not explain into words how she felt.
She felt wild!
So free!
It was amazing!
"I can't wait to do this again!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As they reached the cabin, Bluey's adrenalin was wearing off.
"I'm tired!"
Bandit and Chilli agreed with a rough ruff.
Bingo was stuck walking on all fours.
"I can't get up. To tired."
Bluey looked down at her front paws.
They were covered in dirt.
"I need to wash my hands."
Chilli opened the door to the cabin.
"A quick wash, then bed."
Bingo practically dragged herself to the bathroom.
Bluey helped her Sister wash her paws.
"Thanks Bluey."
"No problem! You did really well tonight."
Bingo sleepily nodded.
"Bluey?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I sleep with you tonight?"
Bluey smiled.
"Of course!"
The two got in bed.
Their Mum tucked them in.
"Good night girls."
Bandit looked at the clock.
"More like good morning! We get a few hours of sleep then it's back home."
Bluey and Bingo snuggled.
Bingo whispered.
"I saw an owl."
Bluey grinned.
"Cool! Did you see my jump?"
"You flew!"
Bluey giggled.
"Yeah, it felt like I did."
Bingo was drifting off.
Bluey said, "Let's do this again."
Bingo started to breathe deeply.
Hearing her Sister's calm breaths, Bluey soon followed her into slumber.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As Bingo dreamed, she ran.
She ran with her family across the stars.
A giant owl flew underneath them.
They ran toward the moon.
There were wolves waiting for them.
They were waiting for them to lead in the howl.
Bingo ran ahead.
She landed in the moon dust.
Her family was close behind.
Bingo threw her head back and howled.
The others joined in.
An owl flew over head.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In the morning the councilors told the Heeler family that there cabin was loud, as they all were sleep howling.
Chilli was embarrassed.
Bandit laughed it off.
Bingo was still a little drowsy from the Run.
"My muscles are sore."
Bluey stretched, feeling the pains of sore muscles too.
"I'm hungry!"
Dad smirked.
"I don't remember naming you that."
Bluey rolled her eyes.
"How many times will you make that joke?"
Bandit said, "Every time!"
Chilli help Bingo into the car.
"You can take a nap. We're going to stop for some food on the way home. I'll wake you up then, alright?"
Bingo yawned.
"Okay, Mum."
Bluey climbed in Bobo.
"Can we get burgers?"
Bandit buckled himself in.
"The greasiest burgers ever!"
Chilli chuckled.
"Usually I would say, we should eat healthier, but I'm starving! Greasy burgers here we come!"
The family yelled out "Hooray!"
Bingo was asleep as they pulled out of the parking lot.
Bluey watched the sky as they drove home.
"Mum? Dad?"
Bandit asked as he drove, "Yes, sweetheart?"
"When I turn eighteen, can we come back?"
Her Mum said, "Now that your Sister is old enough, we can come again next year."
"Yeah, but I think I want to do the Bush Run. Really get into nature."
Bandit said, "That one will have to wait till you are eighteen. It's too dangerous for us to do it as a family right now."
Bluey imagined herself as a wild dog.
Running through the outbacks.
Feeling free.
Her stomach growled.
As a wild dog, she would have to hunt for her food.
......................
Nah!
Burgers sounded great right now!