“Hey there, good looking!”

A scrawny mutt with fur the colour of soot looked up from the pile of trash she was rooting through, and realised that she’d missed the approach of another young bitch. Though the stranger had no malice in her expression, the sooty mutt nonetheless lifted her lip slightly in a nervous threat. “If you want food, there’s another trashcan behind this.

The other shook her head, which was topped with long, silky fur. “Thanks, sugar, but I was just hopin’ to make your acquaintance. Fancy some company?” she asked smoothly, and saw the sooty mutt’s body relax a little. In the street life, many dogs were quick to throw a bite in desperation to steal a meal or protect what they considered to be their turf. Sometimes it made romantic advances challenging.

A small smile coming to her face, the mutt nodded. Something about the stranger’s cool self-confidence was very charming. “Will you be flirting with me the whole time?” she asked.

“Depends how much you’re enjoying it. A lot of girls aren’t interested in what I’ve got on offer. It’s hit and miss, I’ll tell ya.”

“Company I can do,” replied the mutt. Truth be told, responding to a woman coming on to her was not something she had much clue about, but the spark of electricity between them was undeniable. “So, does that pretty face come with a name?”

“Lily,” said the delighted young dog. Despite her air of confidence, she’d known that it was a gamble to be openly flirtatious with a bitch- she’d taken a few hard bites after innocent advances in the past. “And yours?”

“Shade.”

Lily smiled, brimming with confidence. “That suits ya, gorgeous.” She sauntered closer, swaying her lithe body. In her few years of life, she’d been with a few ladies, but there was something special about Shade- she could feel it. However this would develop, Lily had a sense that it was going to be good. “I know a great place, not to far from here; some pretty nice views, and usually pretty good pickin’s.”

With a jolt of excitement, Shade began to wag her tail, while her eyes stayed fixed on this cocky and elegant young woman. “Sounds like a date.”



Dodger/Rita daughter making acquaintance with Shade, who will come to be her lover.