After about three and a half weeks, a break in the weather melted most of the snow and ice. The hill was going to be tricky but we had to try. It was the first week of November. We were all packed up and the transfer of the frozen food was complete in about an hour. We had plenty of time to organize the transition and be ready at a moment’s notice. The R/V idling in the driveway.

  “What about the password?” Jillian asked as we stood in the control room.

  “I looked everywhere, spent a lot of time thinking about it, and to tell you the truth, I just don’t give a shit anymore.” I said. Jillian walked up to the keyboard and typed: “Fuck me”, but did not hit the enter key. “Just a little message. Let’s roll.” Jillian said.

  We headed south and encountered many obstacles and detours. If the road was clear we drove at night, slow, but making progress. Driving through even two inches of snow was risky. We had to stop for fuel every six or seven hours.

  We arrived at Scotty’s house in four days, light dusting of snow covered the ground and the roads were clear. I honked the horn as we drove up to his house and were met with a horrific sight. Scotty’s house was destroyed. It looked like a tornado came through. His barn was leveled and most of the trees were broken; except for the one near his wife and dogs.

  We jumped out of the R/V and the dogs ran barking to the backyard as loud as possible. Jillian and I entered what was left of his home. A note on the fridge (that was still standing) “See you in California!!!” Love, Scotty and Rosie.”

  “He doesn’t know our address; or street!” Jillian said.

  “I don’t even know our address! What is it 734? 743? 437? I asked Jillian. Jillian just shrugged her shoulders, disappointed that she could not remember our address.

  “He knows it’s in Malibu and it’s coastal property; and he knows what the house looks like from the pictures and videos we showed him.” I said walking from the wreckage.

  “How did he get Rosie in his truck?” Jillian asked. We both looked at each other and said: “Ice cream.”

  “Ginger! Pete! Come!” I yelled as they both came running from the woods and jumped into the R/V.

  “Next stop… California!” I said.

  “Home.” Jillian said as she grasped my arm with a firm smile.

  It took almost two weeks to get to California; washed out roads, landslides and other obstacles hindered our progress. The R/V was running rough and we only used the air conditioning when absolutely necessary. We stripped out anything of no use in order to reduce weight and maximize efficiency. We did not shower the last two or three days, just a quick sponge bath.

  I honked the horn twice at our street entrance around 10:00 am on a Sunday, I think. The dogs were very excited as we approached our home.

  “Why is everything the same… but different.” I said as I put the R/V in park and turned it off in our driveway. The dogs exploded out of the R/V, happy and excited. Jillian and I hugged each other and kissed standing in the driveway.

  “We made it!” Jillian said smiling broadly.

  “Let’s get everything working, and move the freezers.” I said as I opened the garage door to find a six-person green metal flake golf cart with huge wheels and what appeared to be a lift kit installed.

  “I was start’n to get worried.” Scotty’s voice; from the side of the garage. We turned to see him smiling, holding two small puppies. Rosie, Ginger and Pete whimpering and crying as they greeted each other in a beautiful display of affection. Scotty knelt down and placed the two puppies gently in the grass.

  “Sister and a brother!” Scotty said proudly.

  The female had wolf features and the male had a big head just like Pete, all black. Jillian started to cry. I walked up to Scotty with my hand held out. Scotty grabbed my hand and used it to pull me in for a bone crushing embrace. Rosie was so proud and happy as Ginger and Pete sniffed and licked the two puppies. Jillian gave Scotty a big hug.

  “We are so happy you all are safe!” Jillian said with tears of joy as Rosie nudged her leg as she hugged Scotty to get her attention.

  “They are just beautiful!” Jillian said to Rosie as she sat next to the puppies and gently stroked their heads.

  “Rosie seems more… comfortable.” I said as Rosie heard her name and she approached me and licked my hand with her huge tongue. Jillian laid down next to the puppies as they licked the tears from her face and playfully climbed on top of her. It was just a beautiful moment as Rosie laid down next to Jillian who positioned the puppies so they could nurse.

  Ginger and Pete turned their attention and affection to Scotty. Jillian slowly got up to get her camera and started taking pictures.

  “She had four pups; two didn’t make it.” Scotty said with a heavy heart.

  “Fifty percent is still pretty good.” I said as Ginger and Pete sat with Scotty on the grass. Rosie appeared to be very happy and content that the pack was together again.

  The rest of the day was spent transferring the frozen food and the freezers, unpacking the R/V and picking out what we were going to have for dinner.

  “So, what did you name the puppies?” Jillian asked.

  “I thought that all of us should be involved in that decision.” Scotty said.

  “Tell us about the storm that hit your house.” Jillian asked.

  “I didn’t see Rosie for about two days. Usually, she stops by in the morning, afternoon and just before sunset. I give her some fresh water and food. It was in the middle of the night… two, maybe three o’clock. I woke up to Rosie howling on the patio, I stuck my head out the window and sensed something was not quite right. She looked up at me and ran to the back yard and brought me one of her newborn pups. It was not more than a few hours old and scratched at the door.

  I opened the door and she dropped the pup on the carpet and ran off. One by one she brought me the other pups and looked at me, concerned as the wind picked up outside. She knew what was coming, I figured it was just another storm.

  I opened the door to the basement and she ran down immediately and started, kind of barking and growling. I put the pups in a box with a seat cushion and closed the basement door behind me. It got really quiet, my ears popped and Rosie started shaking. I held on to her and her pups as the… folks say it sounds like a freight train, and sure enough, it does. It only took about two minutes to destroy a lifetime of work.

  I opened the basement door and, for the first time… ever, it opened easily. That door never shut quite right; it was like a brand-new door.” Scotty said thinking about it. “Anyway, standing in the kitchen, I looked up into the night sky and watched the clouds give way to the stars as the storm moved east.

  I salvaged what food and water I could find and put perishables in a cooler and sat on what was left of the patio with Rosie and the pups. I looked for the grill for some reason. It was probably in the next county, I thought.” Scotty said, again, thinking deeply. “We sat on the patio till morning. I was trying to decide what I should do as pieces of my house dropped to the ground.” Scotty said shaking his head.

  “So, what did you do?” I asked Scotty.

  “I went out and got me a R/V, packed it up with whatever I could find, that was not broken and headed south.” Scotty said.

  “How did you get Rosie in the R/V?” Jillian asked.

  “I opened the door, put the pups in, and Rosie followed.” Scotty said. Jillian and I looked at each other.

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  “I made sure not to turn it off.” Scotty said in a whisper and a wink.

  “Plus, I picked up more ice cream and whatever I could pack from the house we found, and I collected the hair you cut from Ginger and Pete and stuffed it into a pillow case. That’s what Rosie sleeps with.” Scotty said.

  “Awww! How sweet!” Jillian said emotionally.

  “Rosie barfed a few times until I put her in the passenger seat; then she was fine. I put the window down only a quarter way, because she would catch a scent and go nuts for a minute or two then go back to sniffing. Could you imagine pulling up to a stop light, and see a 140-pound wolf sitting in an R/V!” Scotty said laughing a little, then his tone changed.

  “I’ve had a lot of time to think… about how less than average my life has been until the virus hit.” Scotty said quietly.

  “How can you even think that!” Jillian said, going over to comfort him as he spoke the words he has only thought about in his head.

  “You have done some wonderful things, you are a good man, and from what we have seen, a great provider to your family.” I said.

  “Yea, yea, yea.” Scotty said waving his hand and pulling his faded red handkerchief from his pocket.

  “Somehow, I feel like; God is watching, and is actually paying attention... to us, and the dogs; and it all started with… you.” Scotty said looking directly at me.

  “Not true! Jillian was spying on me first!” I said as I turned toward Jillian.

  “When did you first see me?” I asked Jillian, surprised that this topic has never come up in conversation before.

  “I followed you for almost two days. I ran out of gas in the mall parking lot and I knew I needed to do something, I was working up the courage, because… I was scared.” Jillian said reluctantly.

  “You!? Scared!? You wanted to hand feed a Wolf!” Scotty said chuckling. We all laughed as we finished putting things away and eating lunch.

  “I adjusted your upstairs toilet; it fills in about ten minutes. Nice work on the rain barrels, holding tanks and filtration systems!” Scotty said with admiration as he and I walked in the backyard.

  “Why is the pool covered?” I asked.

  “Because the pups are very interested in the water and… well, for heat and safety reasons.” Scotty said.

  I pulled up a corner of the cover and the pool was filled. The water was clear and a perfect temperature. I cranked the winch that Scotty installed to roll up the massive cover revealing the sparkling water as he stood and smiled.

  “What’s all that loud clicking!” Jillian asked walking out of the house with the dogs.

  “Fuck Me!” Jillian said as she immediately stripped down to her panties and bra and jumped in.

  “I haven’t done this one in thirty years!” Scotty said as he stripped down to his tighty-whities and executed a perfect cannonball. Ginger and Pete immediately got in with us as Rosie watched and approached slowly taking great interest in all the activity.

  Ginger and Pete exited the pool up the ramp and ran to Rosie, barked a few times then jumped in as if to show Rosie and the pups how it’s done. Rosie blocked her pups from the water as she inspected for potential danger.

  “Rosie's not a fan of the pool.” Scotty said. Jillian slowly went to the pool edge and let Rosie smell the water she cupped in her hands.

  “It’s okay Rosie.” Jillian said in a soft reassuring tone as Rosie sniffed the water and slowly went down the ramp. Scotty sat on the ramp and gently stroked her back trying to make her comfortable, her tail started to wag a little as he went over and sat at the pool edge and held on to the pups. Rosie entered the water and started swimming with Ginger and Pete. Keeping a watchful eye on Scotty and the pups. The female was more adventurous than the male and Jillian and Scotty watched them very carefully. Rosie trusted us with her pups as she swam with Ginger and Pete slowly becoming a fan of the pool.

  “Will you be staying with us?” Jillian asked Scotty hospitably.

  “I was just using this as a base of operations, I found a nice house with a large plot of some good land and an orchard about six miles east. I could really use some help with… well, everything!” Scotty said with the hopes we would assist.

  “You got it! Whatever you need!” Jillian said as she disappeared under the water and emerged between the dogs who licked her face.

  “I have some bad news; I’ve been struggling with to tell you.” Scotty said as he exited the pool and drying off his face. Jillian and I looked at each other with just our heads visible above the water as Scotty just sighed.

  “As soon as we found your house, Jess, I suspect, came out from under the deck, and, well…” Scotty said in a sad tone.

  “Rosie did what Wolves do.” I said.

  “Yep, I cleaned up the best I could knowing Pete’s fondness and, well, he doesn’t seem to upset. Besides, the pups just love that huge enclosure! They sleep in it at night!” Scotty exclaimed.

  “It smells like food.” Jillian said as a matter of fact.

  “There were two other run-ins with rabbits, apparently Jess did what rabbits do and Rosie tracked them to the house next door.” Scotty said.

  “I’ll get changed and get my stuff from the guest room.” Scotty said.

  “You can have the guest room for as long as you like.” Jillian said as I agreed.

  We all changed into dry clothes and met up in the garage where I was inspecting the customized green metal flake golf cart. “This is not what I would expect you to be driving.” I said to Scotty.

  “I had a Schwinn with almost the exact paint job as a kid!” Scotty said with a smile.

  “Even with all the hills ‘round here I can get about 5 hours on a full charge with Rosie the pups and some gear. It takes about thirty minutes to get to my house. Scotty said as Jillian sat in the driver’s seat.

  “Maybe we should get one or two of these!” Jillian said cranking up the stereo.

  Scotty handed me a map showing me the location of his house and property and all the best possible routes as Jillian sang along to ‘Jail House Rock’ and the dogs running and playing through my failed corn crop. Jillian turned down the stereo; “Let’s all take a drive around!” Jillian proposed.

  We collected the dogs and a bottle of wine and drove around the neighborhood. Rosie sat in the front passenger seat. Ginger and Pete sat in between Jillian and I as we passed the bottle of wine around. The pups sat in our laps sniffing the air and being kissed by Ginger and Pete. Rosie was happy.

  We were heading toward the beach and Rosie snapped to high alert and wanted to get off. Scotty slowed down the golf cart.

  “Here we go again.” Scotty said as Rosie, who did not wait for a complete and final stop, launched out of the golf cart. Ginger or Pete must have stepped on Jillian’s foot as they followed Rosie.

  “Ouch! Damn that hurt.” Jillian said taking off her shoe.

  “Look! Their she is!” Scotty said as he pointed to Rosie, Ginger and Pete who were in pursuit of something off in the distance. It was fast, but not fast enough. Ginger and Pete sniffed it hanging lifeless from Rosie’s mouth as she brought it back to the golf cart. Scotty said “Come on, follow me.” We placed the pups on the ground as soon as we saw Rosie approaching and they were very excited.

  “Just walk away.” Scotty said. “Unless you like the sound of crunching bones and tearing flesh.” He added. Rosie issued a low growl as a warning to Ginger and Pete who were only interested in smelling it, whatever it was.

  “Ginger. Pete. Come.” Jillian said from the golf cart as she gave them some water and snacks.

  When Rosie and the pups were done, she approached the water bowl with blood-stained mouth and teeth and drank. Rosie looked toward Scotty to pack up the pups and sat in the passenger seat.

  “All we have to do is teach Rosie how to drive and she will take hunting to a whole new level.” Scotty said.

  We made it to the beach and it was actually very beautiful. We have never been to this beach before and the sun, sand, wind and surf processed the sea life carcasses to the point of almost nonexistence. The dogs played in the breaking surf as we walked along enjoying the sea breeze for about one hour.

  “My foot is killing me and it’s time for dinner. You guys hungry?” Jillian asked.

  “Sounds good to me.” Scotty said. I agreed. About half way back to the golf cart we heard what sounded like a two by four being dropped. The dogs heard it too, Scotty picked up the pups and Jillian pulled her .38. We stopped and listened, the dog’s ears and noses alert.

  “Let’s get going.” Scotty said as we briskly walked back to the golf cart.

  “It was probably nothing, just a board falling from the wind.” Scotty said, not very convincing. The golf cart had a respectable high-end as we sped through the small communities and the short highway drive to our exit and up to our house.

  During dinner we settled on names for Rosie’s pups. We all agreed that cute names like; fluffy and patches was just embarrassing and we decided on; ‘Becky ‘and ‘Jeff’. We spent the next month working with Scotty and creating a habitable and sustainable environment that yielded some favorable results.

  Scotty enlightened us on the methods to best utilize irrigation and making use of the limited amount of rainfall during the upcoming summer months. His knowledge and guidance caused me to completely re-configure our gardens and soil and to plant specific fruits, vegetables and nuts that are native to this area.

  Becky and Jeff were growing up fast and both with very different personalities. Rosie hunted often and would be gone for hours at a time to bring back a live rodent to let Becky and Jeff chase and eventually kill and eat. Ginger and Pete would join in on the chase. This activity was closely monitored and managed by Rosie and any disruption by Ginger or Pete would be quickly stifled by Rosie. Rosie considered Ginger to be Alpha and respected her until it came to her pups. Pete was not interested in being Alpha and was happy with his position in the pack as ‘corporal punishment’.

  It only took one time for Rosie to display her disapproval to Ginger for something we did not witness. Ginger now understood where the ‘line’ was. Canines settle differences immediately and the hierarchy is understood and respected; and harmony restored. If only humans could adapt a small percentage of this behavior and discipline, we, maybe, one day could be as balanced as canines.

  Whenever we needed to go shopping, we would always schedule it with Scotty to maximize efficiency and to ensure all of our safety. Rosie wanted no part of wearing a pack like Ginger and Pete, but Becky and Jeff were always interested and sniffed and nipped at them when Ginger and Pete were wearing them, bringing on a different dynamic as Ginger and Pete knew when it was time for work… not for play. Rosie would intervene and provide perimeter surveillance with her pups, always being within eye contact with us as we shopped. It was creepy as she would appear, disappear and appear moments later; like a phantom, making absolutely no noise.

  One day while shopping, Becky brought Pete a tiny dead mouse and dropped it in front of him. He smelled it as Becky ran around him, proud, and waiting for him to acknowledge her kill. He just sniffed it and walked away leaving Becky confused, and looking to Rosie for guidance and information. All of us quickly congratulated Becky and inspected the kill; like we were going to eat it, this seemed to satisfy Becky, Rosie and Jeff as Rosie walked up and dispatched the tiny mouse.