To the Dogs

Chapter 3: Rebirth
Before long, the frozen cruelty of winter forsook the land. The trees shed their frosted flesh, while a familiar chorus of birds covered the mountainside. After a grueling couple of months without any strength below my torso, the time had finally come tend to my garden. I would desperately need some help from my new, canine companion.

"Wake up, little Ebony.", said the gruff voice.

I slowly cracked my eyes open, receiving the expected sting from the sun's morning beams. "Good morning, pal.", I greeted drably.

"Ready for new day?", asked Scrape with his typical, keen smile.

The exhaustion of my sleepless night still had a firm grasp on my groggy mind. "Of course, dear friend.", I mutter. "Of course..."

"How about bath?", he asked, in his deep, mellow tone.

My face reddened upon hearing this question. Although the two of us had grown very close to one another, I was still very shy when it came to such things. Reluctantly, I nodded my head.

In a flash, I found myself being hosted up in the dog's large, furry arms. My limp, skinny legs dangled lifelessly as we both entered the washroom. Unlike myself, Scrape seemed to show no embarrassment when it came to helping me bathe. In fact, he seemed to enjoy every part of taking care of me.

"How was sleep?", he inquired, as he gently lowered my flank into the warm, soapy water.

"It was alright.", I lied.

Unsurprisingly, he sensed the illegitimacy of my answer. "I understand your pain, little pony.", he breathed sympathetically.

"No, no!", I barked. "I'm... I'm fine." I turned my gaze downward.

There was a brief moment of silence, as I soaked in the small, wooden tub. I was about to apologize for my outburst, but before I could I was graced by the feeling of a strong, leathery paw running through my mane. I wanted to ask him to stop, but the tenderness of this dog's touch was too rapturous.

My fuzzy masseuse leaned in next to my ear. "Feel good?", he whispered with a softhearted woof.

My face is now as red as the glowing embers of a scorching campfire. "Y-yes.", I squeaked awkwardly. Never before had I experienced anything like this. I knew that the two of us had grown close over the winter, but never did I expect these sort of feelings to emerge.

Upon noticing my bashfulness toward the situation, he abruptly stopped rubbing my scalp. "Uh... sorry...", he whimpered.

We spoke very little towards each other that day. Although disturbed by his invasive actions, I found them quite pleasing. After that day I found the two of us bonding closer and closer to one another. It was as if we were brothers, but it seemed as if it were so much more. Never had I been so reliant on another in my life. Never had I cared for somepony this much.

As the weeks passed, spring transformed into summer. Celestia's sweltering light burned brightly overhead. I'd grown more accustomed to my condition, and soon felt safer leaving the house. Of course, my robust caretaker was always there to lend a paw whenever I needed it. If I ever needed to go somewhere, he would carry me. If there was ever any danger, he would protect me. The two of us had grown so close to each other. I began to wonder if the time was right to dig a little deeper into my buddy's hidden past. One afternoon, I finally decided to go for the gold.

"Hey Scrape...", I began. "Mind if I ask you a question."

"Shoot!", he interjected, eager to hear what I had to say.

I grew nervous, as I finally spilled the beans. "W-why did your pack leave you before you met me?"

To my surprise, he gave no reaction but a bleak sigh. "If I must...", he yelped regretfully.

He seemed very reluctant to share his tale with me. My mind began to ponder what he could have done. Did he kill somepony? Did he screw something up? The suspense was clawing at my insides, lusting to hear what this poor animal had to tell me.

"I was not like other dogs.", he somberly whined. "Ever since I was puppy, I was different."

My curiosity had now reached a boiling point. This was the answer which I had been waiting to hear for so long.

He gazed deeply into my eyes, with the most innocent face masking his crumbling secrets. "Please do not laugh...", he whimpered.

"I won't laugh pal, I promise.", I whispered compassionately.

His face grew terribly forlorn, as the dark enigma unfolded. "I liked... other males.", he buried his long snout deep into his big paws. He then began to sob softly.

Somehow, I had seen this answer coming. I had absolutely no problem with such things, as I myself had noticed similar feelings within myself. The truth had been released. I now knew what had haunted my companion for all this time. Finally, I could give back to him the same comfort that he had shown me.

I placed both hooves around his thick, furry neck. "Please don't cry.", I comforted, as I stroked his cushy back. "I know what it's like to be hurt."

Through his river of tears he choked four climactic words, "Please don't leave me."

At this point, I too was dripping from my eyes. "I would never leave you.", I breathed compassionately.

The two of us embraced for what seemed like hours that day. I will never forget how fulfilling it felt, as I was smashed between those mighty paws of steel. From that moment onward, Scrape and I became closer than anypony I had ever known. I felt as if all the demons of my past had fled forever.

That was before the letter came...