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Post by Shadow Dearly on Dec 25, 2016 8:46:44 GMT -5
Since, it's Christmas, it's time to reveal my Secret Santa. And this year, my Secret Santa was TREY!
I've wrote a story. Originally I was going to write a prissy Christmas story with his and my characters caroling, but I thought that would be too sweet. It needed drama. So, instead I wrote a story about Roxy being captured by Animal Control at Christmas time, because some people claim that keeping a fox as a pet, especially on a farm, is unruly and "not right."
So here is the story!
“Christmastime On the Farm” By: Hot Paws Shadow
Grey clouds cover the sky; a fresh blanket of snow covers the ground. December brings one of the freshest fallen snow. It’s so deep, Cadpig can easily become hidden within the cold, white blanket. Christmas is known far and wide as the most celebrated holiday for all the inhabitants of the Dearly Farm. Holiday cheer is needed to warm the hearts of everyone on the planet.
The farmhouse is thoroughly decorated with colorful decorative Christmas lights. Better get the eggnog ready. An intelligent, flexible, nimble vulpine is seen walking through the snow, on the way to the barn. The only accessory she had on was a black scarf wrapped around her neck. She didn’t mind the fact that her feet were freezing. She could warm them up later. Being called to help with decorating the interior of the barn is fun, but very worthwhile. Once she arrived, the vulpine, known as Roxy, with her main body being red; her chest, stomach, and cheeks being white, having blackened ears, forelegs, hind legs, and feet, and sporting a bushy red white-tipped tail, shook the excess snow from her coat. Small, but taller than Cadpig, but a tad smaller than Lucky with a petite body, Roxy was ready to do what she can with decorating. “Merry Christmas, everyone!” Roxy said gleefully. She felt ecstatic, like she snuck into the kitchen and lapped up two to four cups of coffee whilst the humans, Roger, Anita, and Nanny, weren’t looking. “Need any help decorating?” she asked. “I’m your fox.” She was there to always lend a helping paw.
Many other inhabitants of the farm, Lucky, Rolly, Cadpig, Shadow, Rosalina, Nemo, Captain, etc. were busy hanging the lights in places that are reachable to them. High places are clearly not for pups, but that of course wouldn’t stop Lucky from doing what he does best—being adventurous.
Shadow acknowledged Roxy. “Hey Roxy, be a dear and help me hang these Christmas lights on the tree.” The star-spotted, cape-wearing Dalmatian puppy showed the fox what he’s talking about, and some of the lights dangled onto the floorboard.
Rosalina, a good friend of Shadow, looked at the lights. “Hey Shad, you better pick up those lights before somebody trips and breaks a leg.” It’s better to be safe than sorry. “Make sure you don’t let any of the lights dangle freely.” Shadow knows that sometimes Rosalina can be naggy, but she’s only watching out for any hazards. Shadow would do the same thing to her for sure. The blonde-haired Dalmatian, with spots that were like Mardi Gras beads, oversaw the Christmas treats, and she was falling behind.
A pup with light green eyes and an orange collar was near the window, watching the falling snow. Querida, who had five petal-shaped spots encircling her left eye, with the same spots occupying both her white ears, except with a black spot in the middle which diminishes the belief that the pup had eyes on her ears, sighed happily. “I love snow! I love catching snowflakes, having snowball fights. The only downside of it is getting my toes froze, but I don’t mind that.” Querida had a bubbly personality. She was nice to all the pups.
A Dalmatian pup with blue eyes and a purple collar was with Querida. Her ears are solid black, but are very ‘weird’ per the other Dearly pups as don't stand up and flop over like most Dalmatians, or completely hang down like Cadpig's. The pup’s, Nicoletta, ears act out a bit of both, as if they’re barely able to stand up. However, this doesn’t cause her any discomfort, as her ears are naturally this way. She does have a G-Clef on her left ear and an eighth note on the right. She was calm as there was commotion in the barn, the thing that she hated the most was silence. “I know you like snow. You said it like ten times.” She eyed the snow, imagining them as notes falling onto the scale known as the Dearly Farm. She soon found herself humming Christmas carols.
A pup with a snowflake-like pattern over her right eye, and both of her black ears, walked up to the tree. “Wow, this tree is looking quite fantastic. It’s almost complete.” the pup, Winter, said. She then looked over at the food table and her jaw dropped to the floor. “Oh, my God.” She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Autumn and Foody, who perched near the food table, their fat bellies jutting out, gently pressing against the edge of the table, patiently, or at least tried to, waited for the Christmas cookies like good little pups they are. However, when the treats are set up, the two, well three if Rolly is counted, are bound to get thirds and fourths in. Heh, Foody is fat enough to BE Santa Paws! Autumn could be Mrs. Paws, but that would mean they’re married and Foody and Autumn are just friends. Besides, Autumn is loyal to Nuke. Foody may already have a girlfriend of his own.
Winter walked up to Autumn. She gotten used to Autumn and Foody’s girth, but still she found Autumn’s weight mesmerizing. And this is coming from an athletic pup who likes to keep in shape. “Hey, Autumn.” she said. Autumn wagged her tail. “Winter! Merry Christmas! How have you been doing?” Winter locked her eyes on Autumn’s fat belly. She shrugged. “I’m doing fine. Thanks. Just helping everyone get set up in here for Christmas. I suppose you’ll do your annual Christmas binging, right?” Winter placed her forepaws on Autumn’s flab and it felt warm to the touch. “So, warm.”
“Rosalina, where are the cookies?” Autumn then asked, as she and Foody relished their chub together. Nothing could change it. They were impregnable when it comes to their weight. The sister of Camera, who became overweight ever since she came to the farm, thought that her hunger wasn’t as important as her family and friends.
“Autumn, hold your horses.” Rosalina replied. Autumn shrugged and placed her forepaws on Captain.
Captain whinnied. “She didn’t mean that, literally.” he said. Autumn said, “I’m just being funny.” Rosalina grinned and exclaimed, “Well, I better get the cookies.” With that, she trotted out of the barn.
When Rosalina returns, the Christmas cookie binging can begin. “Hey Foody, about how many cookies will you consume today?” Autumn asked, licking her lips hungrily. She doesn’t necessarily talk about food, but at least she shares stuff in common with the overweight spotless male Dalmatian pup with black ears and tail.
Foody grinned at Autumn and claimed, “I will eat more than you!” He smirked deviously at the overweight female Dalmatian pup in front of him. Autumn took this into consideration and grinned. “Foody, challenge accepted!”
“Sure, Shadow.” Roxy smiled and she and Shadow wrapped the Christmas lights around the tree, under the supervision of the older farm inhabitants. “Decorating is fun!” The vulpine giggled. “Maybe next we could hang the mistletoe.”
Rosalina soon returned carrying a wagon, full of assortments of Christmas cookies, all chocolate-free. “All right, everypup. Cookies are here!” She wagged her tail.
Roxy smelled the aroma of the cookies. “Wow! Something smells delicious!” the fox said. “What have we got here?” She looked at the many different assortment of cookies—Sugar, Peanut Butter, Gingerbread—and various treats—vanilla cupcakes, petit fours, strawberry macaroons. It was making her mouth start watering. “Mmm I so want these treats, like right now!”
“Well then . . . have yourself at them.” Rosalina smiled, grasping a cookie herself. “Sugar cookie with peppermint icing. What’s not to love?” She felt felicitous when around her friends. She knew that she made the right choice living here.
Roxy looked at all the sugar and gingerbread cookies. She then eyed to the cupcakes, petit fours, and macaroons. The vulpine knew that she was in for a big treat and she was thankful that she wasn’t allergic to gingerbread. She walked over to Rosalina and the two began setting up, placing the cookies and treats on the table. Afterwards, she took a cookie for herself. “I’ll just take this for myself.” Roxy grinned. She trotted outside after feeling that everything was ready. Christmastime was a magical feeling, always cheering people and animals up. Nothing brings enemies closer than the Christmas season. Nothing will ever ruin this moment. With her being a wild animal being kept as a pet, it had brought the attention to a few animal control officers calling for the immediate release of Roxy, referring to her as “The Fox.” Two of the many AC officers stood not too far from the vulpine. They were near a trap, the old food in the cage luring trap, which they hope would catch Roxy, and then they would set her free in the wild.
Not to mention they could also do the unthinkable, they being Animal Control. Besides, it’s Christmas. Shouldn’t AC leave strays alone? Apparently not. “I love it here at the farm!” Roxy sighed happily, the snow crunching underneath her feet. “At times, winter weather always makes me want to sing, but I’m not going to right now.” The sound of an arriving truck filled the air as Roxy got closer to the trap. The smell of meat teased her nostrils. But it didn’t take long for Animal Control to act. They took Roxy by surprise, grasping her tight with an animal restraining pole. The vulpine yelped and struggled to break free, becoming intimidated, but an AC officer, a Hispanic man not much younger than twenty-five, shot her with a tranquilizer dart. Roxy went down, and a short time later was KO’d.
“Bring the fox to the truck. Whoever thought it was a good idea to domesticate a fox clearly doesn’t understand wild animals.” The other AC officer said. He walked to the front door of the Dearly household. He knocked on the door. Repeating the knocks again, it was clear that nobody was home, or the humans were busy creating video games or sketching new fashion designs or tending to their garden. The animal control officer got out a pad and wrote them a citation of $350. With Roxy locked up in a cage, the truck drove off.
Shadow got a good glimpse of Roxy before the truck disappeared. “Hey, guys!” he cried. “Roxy’s been captured by animal control! We got to help her!” It was life of death for Roxy. The pups needed to save Roxy and bring her home before bad things happen.
Querida gasped worriedly. “Roxy’s Christmas is going to ruined faster than unstable chemical formulas exploding.” She paced around in the snow, quickly thinking of ways to get Roxy freed.
“I feel a sad song coming to my brain,” Nicoletta said. “Maybe I could ask for a toy piano for Christmas.”
Roxy was brought to the pound, in a special holding place away from the others. Fearing that Roxy might become feral and eat the other captives, they had to do this. What a Christmas this was turning out to be. Meanwhile at the farm, the pups, Roger, and Anita eyed the citation. The Dearlys legally owned Roxy and got permission to do so. So, why did this happen?
Shadow eyed to Lucky. “Hey you always have a plan. What’s your plan in saving Roxy?”
Lucky answered a short time later. “I’ll get back with you on that.” Shadow nodded. He knew that thinking of plans take a while. “Maybe we could think of one together. I am worried about Roxy. She wouldn’t hurt a fly.” It has been a few hours since Roxy was captured. It was time for action. An idea soon sprouted in Shadow’s mind. “What would Thunderbolt do? He would sneak in the pound and release his compadres! And that is what we’ll do!”
“Can we do it after dinner?” Rolly and Autumn asked in unison. It was dead on creepy.
Spot, the chicken who wanted and sees herself as a dog, preferably a Dalmatian, flew off the handle. “If we wait after you two eat, something bad may happen to Roxy! She’s doomed!” She squawked. “Doomed I say!” Shadow facepawed and said, “Spot, we’ll find and rescue Roxy before she winds up . . .” He paused, unable to finish his sentence.
Lucky glared at Shadow and agreed with his plan. “That’s exactly what I would propose. You’re just like my protégé.” he said. “Now, all we have to do is plan our plan of action.”
“And that is?” Shadow asked. “We need to think of a surefire way to break in the pound and rescue Roxy without getting caught.”
“Don’t forget that we don’t know which pound Roxy is in.” Rosalina added. “For all I know, she could be on the other side of Gruteley.” She then looked at everyone else and added, “But who will go inside, and who should stand lookout?” All of us hoped Roxy will make it out okay, without harm. What is happening to her now? What could be the worst possible thing that could happen to Roxy? We all know that a fox on the farm is usually bad news, but we accepted Roxy like one of us. Why can’t the humans see that? We needed to find the pound, or whatever place Roxy is locked in. The barking chain is one idea. So, the pups went on top of Towsers Hill and Rosalina and Winter barked as loud as she could. It was soon picked up by the other animals nearby. Rosalina raised an ear, hearing any responses. “Hmm,” she said to the group. “Roxy . . . saw Animal Control drive with red fox in tow off to Gruteley’s pound.”
“So, Roxy is going to the pound.” Foody spoke up. “So how are we going to rescue her?”
“Certainly, not by eating.” Rosalina smirked, poking Foody’s belly. “I’m sure Lucky could think of a plan.” She eyed to the horseshoed-spotted pup. “Well?”’
“Uh . . . uhm . . . uh . . .” Lucky was speechless. “Just give me time to think of something.” If pups continue to bug him about formulating a plan to rescue Roxy, Lucky will become stressed out. And who could blame him?
“We cannot waste time!” Shadow called out, butting in. “Roxy could be in serious trouble, so we got to act now before say she gets put to sleep!”
“Shadow, don’t think that way!” Lucky scolded. “We can do this and then we can relax and have fun for the holidays.” Lucky was right. Things can be achieved if the pups, and livestock, put their minds together and go. They only hope they’ll get Roxy back in time before something bad happens. I’m sure it will be a sad Christmas if Roxy had to be put down.
“So, it’s settled. We find the pound Roxy is in and rescue her, get the heck out, and party.” Nicoletta said. “Now the next obstacle in our way, the mode of transportation. Neither of us can drive. We’re just pups. We’re aren’t tall enough to reach the gas pedal.”
Lucky and Shadow smirked. “Nicoletta, you forgot that Lucky actually drove Cruella’s car before. He had Cadpig and Rolly man the brakes.”
“And Roger wasn’t happy about that.” Lucky sighed. “Talk about embarrassment.”
The next day, it became clear that Roxy was missing from the farm by the humans. Plan H is now in action. Maybe with the help of the pets, they could get Roxy back faster than they can say “onomatopoeia.” The humans rounded up all the pups onto the puppy bus, leaving the livestock behind. All the pups hoped that they weren’t too late. “Roxy, we’re coming for you!” Querida said, peeking her head out the window. “Please be alive when we come and get you.”
“This day is just getting better and better. All we got to do is have our pets pay the fine, and we can get Roxy back!” Rosalina added.
But Rosalina shouldn’t get her hopes up. After all, it could be a while until Roxy can be released. “This is coming out to be one Christmas I’ll never forget.” Lucky said. “At least Cruella isn’t behind this.” This smelled like something Cruella would think of, like the Jimbo incident. Roger, Anita, and Nanny can keep only 101 pets, not including the farm’s livestock. One more and Cruella could claim the farm for herself. Then again, it’s not right keeping a wild animal as a pet. So even if Roger pays the fine, they’re could be animal activists demanding Roxy to be released into the wild.
It was all coming down to this. What will happen? Will Roxy be okay? Questions. All the questions. The bus stopped. The door opened and the Dalmatians and their pets started to unload, but the pups are told to stay on the bus. “You all stay right here in the bus,” Roger said, using an authoritative tone of voice. “We don’t need any more fines to pay.” Curiosity struck the pups faster than Rolly finishing fifths and sixths. The pups shouldn’t miss this opportunity to see what happens to Roxy. Christmas isn’t the same without her around. When she was captured, it was the joyous season was sucked out of the pups. Believe them when they say that the vulpine is easy to get along with them.
What did Roxy do to get captured in the first place? She was harmless. Maybe it was one of those wackos who say that wild animals shouldn’t be treated as pets. Maybe they’re right in there discussing about it as we speak. Roxy has every right to live on the farm as much as we do. And besides, if she was much more a fighter, she could keep Scorch at bay. “I think one of us should sneak out of here and see what’s going on.” Cecilia, a pup with spots all around her body, with the exception being her ears, which were snow white, who always wore an orange collar said. “I say it should be Shadow and Lucky!”
“I second that,” Winter added.
Clayton, a pup with a scarlet colored collar, with a golden dog tag attached to it, who had a spot in the shape of an asterisk on one leg and a spot on the other, with black ears with three white spots on the right ear. On his back was a blob spot that looked like it sprouted arms and legs. Shadow jokes that it looks like the gingerbread man. Clayton was one of the pups who helped set up the barn for Christmas. He was with Kendra, a pup with a pink rose colored collar, even though she hated the color, spots that form into a dragon, and more importantly, she was Clayton’s mate. “Kendra and I could check instead.” Clayton spoke up. “And Shadow . . . you can come, too.” Shadow smiled as he wagged his tail at Clayton. “I won’t let you down, Clayton. If I do, I’ll lock myself in the treehouse and write dark poetry to cheer me up.”
Clayton’s ears perked. “Okay?” He turned to Kendra and nuzzled her fur. “Ready?”
Kendra smiled and said, “As much as I’ll ever be.” She felt confident and half of that was that she was a well- respected cadet of the Bark Brigade and keeps a healthy standard weight, to protect her reputation, unlike Autumn, Foody, and Rolly.
Shadow eyed to the groups of pups. “Open the door for us, will you?” he asked. The pups all formed together, they needed the strength to pull the handle. And when the door opened, Clayton, Kendra, and Shadow exited the bus. Fortunately for them, they could see Roxy, their pets, and Animal Control from the window. The three pups placed their forepaws onto the windowsill to get a closer look. Even though neither of the pups can hear what was going on, Clayton, Kendra, and Shadow depended on trying to read mouths to understand. Roxy was being held on a leash, with a muzzle attached on her snout to prevent her from biting (as if she does). The vulpine’s ears were folded back, and she refused to look at anyone. Just because she was a fox, she was claimed to be dangerous. “Maybe they’re discussing the release of our foxy friend.” Shadow gave hope for all the pups when he said those words.
“I hope so,” Kendra said, “I really hope so.”
Meanwhile inside, the meeting continued. “This fox is a menace to society, Mr. Dearly.” the officer sitting at his desk said. “You cannot keep a wild fox as a pet. It’s exactly why I’m behind the legislature of outlawing keeping wild animals as pets. I’m perfectly fine with you and the missis keeping a hundred and one dogs and farm livestock, but not foxes. I’m sorry.”
The name tag on the officer’s uniform read “Richardson.”
“Sir,” Anita said, fighting for Roxy’s immediate release. “We have written consent allowing us to keep Roxy. She gets along quite well with the pups.”
Richardson nodded once. “Show me your papers.” he said. “If what you say is true, then I will let your Roxy go, but don’t get your hopes up. There’s a lot of paperwork you need to sign before she gets released.” Roger and Anita dug into their pockets, trying to find the document granting them their consent to keep the vulpine as a member of the Dearly family. Anita checked her purse, but to no avail. They could find the document. “We must have accidentally misplaced the documents, sir.” The Dearlys were not the type who lies, unlike Cruella. Richardson sighed. There was nothing more he could do. “I’m sorry then. I can no longer help you. The fox stays.” He eyed to the officer holding Roxy’s leash. “Take her away.”
“Come along,” the blonde officer said, pulling Roxy’s leash. Roxy had no choice but to follow.
Roger and Anita, both dismayed, began to walk back to the puppy bus. Anita was grasping Roger’s arms as Clayton, Kendra, and Shadow rushed back on the bus to avoid being caught. The chance of having Roxy returned to the pups was foiled. Foiled by the grand mistake of forgetting an important document. The pups and their pets go back to the farm. Roxy’s fate was locked in their minds. Clayton, Kendra, and Shadow also had a chance to sneak in, but they would risk getting in trouble. “Now what?” Rosalina asked, growing restless. The pups were beginning to lose hope, but hope isn’t lost yet. “We were so close!”
“Maybe this is a sign,” Cecilia spoke, walking toward the group of pups. “Maybe Roxy is destined to stay here. She cannot handle the wild. I mean, she’d quickly meet her demise.”
Almost everyone glared at Cecilia. Did she say something they did not want her to say?
“Well, it is the truth.” Cecilia spoke, hiding her face in her paws. “Roxy is incapable of surviving in the wild.”
“That may be the truth, but Roxy is still our friend.” Clayton replied. He, along with the other Dalmatian pups, tried to think of a plausible plan to get the fox freed. The thought of Roxy being seized struck the hearts of everyone. It was if the world was changing before their eyes. “We need to get Roxy of course, but claiming that isn’t enough. We need to act ASAP, or now.”
Shadow sprouted an idea. “Maybe we should start helping our pets find the document giving our pets consent to keep Roxy. Once we find it, we can welcome Roxy back with open paws.” The star-spotted pups were going places. But before the other pups could reply, Roger and Anita ran out of the farmhouse, running into Nanny. It was not good news.
“I just got a call from the pound.” Anita said, her heart racing. “They claim that Roxy bitten one of the Animal Control officers. They’re putting Roxy down!”
Did the pups hear that right? Did Anita really say that Roxy attacked? The pups know Roxy. They know that she always backs away from a fight. So, it doesn’t make sense, except the officers making up a humongous lie. And what is worse? Roxy is going to get destroyed all because of that lie.
Hearing those words from Anita’s mouth killed all hope from the pups. They cannot imagine life without Roxy. Why do Animal Control want to take Roxy away? She is obedient and trustworthy. And she is completely playful. Querida broke down crying, hiding her face in her paws. “It’s. Just. Not. Fair!” she sobbed. “She wouldn’t hurt a fly! And now those scary officers claim something that may be false and they’ll kill her for it!” Only talking about it made her cry harder, tears pouring out from her eyes. Shadow walked up to the crying pup and pulled Querida close to her. She cried into Shadow’s arms, where he dried her eyes. She sniffled. “Querida,” Shadow began to say, “we’ll do whatever we can to avoid Roxy from being put down. We won’t let Animal Control do that to her. And if it does, then her ghost will haunt the Animal Control office, and the police department, for all eternity.”
Querida smiled at Shadow. “Thanks. That cheers me up a bit, except for that last part.” she said. “Sorry for crying. I couldn’t think of a better way to release my emotions other than crying.” The star-spotted pup smiled as he said, “A good cry isn’t bad. It doesn’t show that you’re weak but it shows that you’re better at handling your emotions rather than a pup bottling them up.
“Now, we have got to find that document before it’s too late.” said Roger, a look of determination in his eyes. Now, is the time to drop everything. Roxy’s life is on the line. The Animal Control officers may view her as a threat, a menace that must be destroyed, but that is untrue. Instead of jumping to conclusions, get to know Roxy first. And Roxy is clean of rabies. She is up to date with her rabies shot, or any shot. So, it’s completely unethical to euthanize an innocent fox without a valid reason. “Come on, I think I left it in the attic.” Roger led his wife back in the house. Lucky dashed off but stopped a couple of feet away. “Come on, we don’t have much time! Who’s coming?” he asked before running back to the farmhouse.
“Lucky, wait up!” Shadow called out, rushing up, catching up to Lucky.
In a locked cage, Roxy buried her head in her tail, refusing to be seen. In a couple of hours, she would be forcibly escorted out from this world unless the Dearlys bring proof that they do have consent. The pound was heavily guarded, but that didn’t stop the fox from thinking of a way out. If she could just get the key, she could high tail it back to the Dearly Farm. She missed all her friends she made. However, she couldn’t care less about Diana or the rest of the Heartbreakers though. “This just isn’t fair.” Roxy sighed sadly. She felt like crying, but she didn’t feel like producing tears. “I just want to have a nice Christmas, and now I am locked in here learning that I’m going to die!” The life of a fox, or any animal, is a hard one. “I can just see the faces of my friends now.” She thought of Camera, Clayton, Kendra, Belchic, Tippy, Joey, Shadow, Rosalina, Autumn, Rolly, Foody, etc. And if she dies, the memory of her friends will never falter.
“I got to think of a way to get out of here.” Roxy said and began thinking of various ways to escape. She was intelligent. Though it was stressful for her to think quick and fast, but she had to do it. She didn’t want to unfairly die, and who could blame her?
“I got it!” Roxy said and jumped onto the floor of her cage, with her muzzle agape, her tongue lolled out. She didn’t move. Roxy closed her eyes shut to complete her trick. Animal Control officers doing routine check-ups, saw Roxy’s “lifeless” body. “Looks like she didn’t make it. It’s too bad. Oh well. She was set to be destroyed anyway.” The offer opened Roxy’s cage and pulled her out. As the officer was making his way outside to take care of Roxy’s “corpse”, Roxy fluttered her eyes open. She leapt free from the gullible officer’s grasp.
“We have a runner!” shouted the duped Animal Control officer. “We need reinforcements! Runaway fox! Everyone be on the lookout and be ready to catch her. Get stun guns, tranquilizer darts, nets!”
Roxy ran as fast as her feet could take her. Maybe there was an open window she could leap out. That would be great, and it would save her from being put down. Luckily for her, there was a small window, wide enough for her shape, so she sped up and made her leap of faith. The Animal Control officers were gaining on Roxy, but she proved to be faster as she jumped out of the window and dashed off. To freedom she hoped. “Now to find my way back to the farm!” Roxy said. She thought about the directions to the farm. She was in Gruteley, which was not far off from her destination. She looked around her surroundings trying to decipher where exactly she should go. Roxy smelled the crisp, cool air hoping that the pups’ scent still lingered around. She could use the pups’ scent to help her guide her way home. She got a whiff, and immediately she rushed off inconspicuously. Roxy knew she would attract the attention of all the various Animal Control officers, but she didn’t give a dang.
Roxy hid to avoid being caught and brought back to the Gruteley pound. She desired to be with her friends, even if it meant encountering Diana or her underlings again. She knows she will never defeat Diana, as she refused to hurt her, and Diana holds her in contempt for it.
“You’re pathetic.” Diana would say. “You bring shame to foxes everywhere.” Whatever Diana said, the fox took it. Roxy did not say anything that’ll insult Diana. The Heartbreaker leader enjoyed seeing Roxy suffer and she’ll continue until her time comes. That is the only way Roxy can become truly free from Diana, is if she dies. But she couldn’t get her hunting instincts to work.
Roxy shook her head from her thoughts and continued her voyage home. The scent of the Dalmatian puppies, as well as Roger, Anita, and Nanny, still penetrated her nose. She was home free, if she doesn’t get herself recaptured, especially at the farm. All she had to do was not let the scent of her friends disappear.
“I’m getting closer to the farm. I can sense it. I can feel it.” Roxy smiled as all things around her began becoming familiar to her. The farm is not far off. Reunion is imminent. She could already taste it.
“Just a few miles further!” Roxy was determined to make it to the farm. Roger and Anita just need to find the document.
“She’s close! Get her!” The Animal Control officers were gaining on the fox, riding in SUVs. “Don’t let her get away!”
Roxy yelped. “Stay away from me!”
She sprinted faster, but it was becoming harder for Roxy to evade Animal Control. Inches from the farm, Roxy almost made it home. She just needed to make sure that the Animal Control officers tire out, or better run out of gas. “I can just see the farm from here!” The chase was tiring poor Roxy out. She slowed in her pace, but she forced herself to run faster. Her feet may hurt after this, but Shadow would tend to them after all of this is over.
“You won’t get away from us, foxie!” A female Animal Control officer said. “Deploy the tranquilizer darts!” Not tranquilizer darts. Anything but that. If Roxy is struck, then her escape attempt will surely fail. She hoped she wouldn’t get shot.
“The fox will be ours!” The Animal Control officers were sure of retrieving Roxy. Roger and the others better hurry up or it’s bye-bye Roxy. Of course, Roxy, or any of the pups, don’t want to say goodbye. Roxy tried her best to avoid the tranquilizer darts. The thing about them is that if they hit you, you’re down.
Whilst this was happening, Roger, Anita, and the pups, well some of them if not all, were hard at work trying to find what they needed. Any proof is a good thing.
“Come on. Roxy’s in trouble.” Shadow said, becoming agitated and stressed at no success yet. “She could already be dead by the time we find the papers. Why did she get herself captured anyway? It’s Christmas, a time of happiness and cheer; not sadness and despair!”
Rosalina, who sat across from Shadow, said, “Now, don’t talk that way Shad. You don’t want to cause us to lose faith in Roxy.”
The star-spotted pup nodded, knowing Rosalina was right. “Thanks, Rosie.” he said.
Rosalina smiled. “Now, help us continue to look for the consent papers.”
The star-spotted pup nodded. If he wanted Roxy home, he would have to pitch in. “Any updates?” Shadow asked.
“Negative!” Autumn replied, looking in a cookie jar. “Nothing here but these cookies. May I have a cookie?”
Cecilia said, “You may have a cookie after Roxy is saved. Until then, no cookies.”
Autumn frowned. “All right.” Roxy’s safe journey home, away from the evil Animal Control officers, is more important than cookies. And Autumn knew this. She looked down, eyeing her round belly. “Okay belly. Don’t make me hungry until Roxy is safe and sound here at the farm.” Autumn’s belly gurgled in response. “Oh, come on belly.”
Clayton’s tail wagged a bit. “Talking to your belly again, Autumn?” he asked.
Shadow wagged his tail. “Don’t worry, Autumn. Once we get Roxy back, we’ll fatten you up. I speak the truth.” He hung up to his every word.
The pups and their pets looked everywhere in the attic. There were one of the documents that need to be kept in an easy to find folder.
The attic was a mess, but there was still hope. Hope for the inhabitants of the Dearly Farm will never falter. It will ne’er diminish. Winter, Nicoletta, and Querida looked through various boxes, walking carefully to not to accidentally stub their toes.
Roxy was dodging tranquilizer darts right and left. She wasn’t going down without a fight. The was one fight that she’ll partake in. She didn’t want to die, but to live. She could get the scent of the farm’s livestock and that was a good thing. Roxy was almost home. An over joyous reunion is in order.
The vulpine ran faster as fast as her feet could take her. Nearing the farm, Roxy hope that nothing will go wrong, that she gets hit with a dart and dragged back to the pound to meet her unfair demise. She felt like a fugitive on the lam, running from the law. She knew that most fugitives end up getting caught, but she made sure that it wouldn’t happen to her.
Animal Control proved faster since they were in their vehicles. What a Christmas this is turning out to be.
“Now, where could the papers be?” Lucky asked, nosing through personal belongings.
Shadow said, “Papers like these really should be kept in a file cabinet where it’s easy to find.” The cape-wearing pup was right.
Box through box, everyone looked. The fate of Roxy rested on them finding what they are looking for. Only then will the pesky Animal Control officers leave them alone. All they found so far were baseball cards, game disks, a yo-yo, lava lamps, Anita’s old fashion designs from the 1980s, and other stuff.
“Maybe we need to get another copy of the papers?” Cecilia proposed. “If we cannot find the documents, our pets could drive to Gruteley and pick up a new copy. Sure, it’ll cost them, but at least Roxy will be with us again.”
“Cecilia does have a point,” Lucky said, scratching his ear with his right hind paw. “Or they could look online. Why didn’t we think of that before?” The horseshoe spotted pup felt angry at himself for missing the obvious, but he knew he shouldn’t keep himself in contempt. “I just hope we’re not too late.”
Shadow perked his ears, hearing commotion outside as he saw Roxy. “Hey guys!” he said, his tail wagging. “Roxy’s back! She’s back!” He also noticed the Animal Control officers chasing her. “Everything is . . . wait . . . Animal Control!” The star-spotted Dalmatian pup barked as he raced out of the attic. The other pups followed suit; their pets followed behind. Real scrooges the Animal Control officers are. Having to do their job even on the most wonderful time of the year.
Roxy made it to the farm and immediately jumped into Roger’s arms, shaking profusely from the terror she was forced to experience. Animal Control surrounded the humans, as well as the pups. “All right, hand over the vulpine. It’s against the law to keep it as a pet, so it must be destroyed.” A female officer said. “If you don’t, we’ll put this matter over to the police.”
All the pups began growling at the Animal Control officers. Perdita and Pongo soon joined in, bearing their teeth, their fur spiking up. The Animal Control officers all pulled out their Tasers, aiming them at the dogs, ready to fire at will.
Roger shook his head, refusing to give the fox to Animal Control. “No,” he said. “You’re not getting Roxy. She is a part of our family. We love her, the pups love her, and we do have permission to keep her, but we haven’t been able to find the papers.”
A bulky officer, presumably the leader of Animal Control, or for his division, since no officer can rile up animals alone, looked at the fox, then at Roger, Anita, Nanny, and then at the pups. A decision needs to be made. He took in a deep breath, and then exhaled. “Well, by law, it states that wild animals are to be kept in the wild or sanctuaries, except for the ones who bite humans. It’s surprising for a fox to live here, since they hunt down chicken and steal eggs. But if what you say is true then . . . Ah what the heck. It’s Christmas. Keep her.”
“You mean it?” Anita asked, wanting to make sure that this is true, and not a ruse. All this about saving Roxy had gotten her behind on her designs. Cruella wouldn’t be happy with her if she hands in tardy designs. It’s unbecoming for a fashion designer, especially for one employed by one. “This is one Christmas present we’ll cherish forever.” She went over and gave Roxy a few pets. Roxy allowed her to do so, her tail flicking happily.
“Yeah. Go ahead and keep her. We’ll retract our decision to euthanize your Roxy. We’ll check the computer and see if you do have consent, and are her shots up to date?”
“Shots . . .” Lucky fainted at the mention of shots. Shadow propped him onto his feet. “Not you, Lucky.” he said. Animal Control soon left, knowing their good deed. They may be penalized by the Gruteley police department, but it was better to give Roxy back rather than for them to ruin Christmas for the Dearlys. Roxy jumped free from Roger’s grasp and she and the pups dog piled on her, tails wagging. Shadow unfastened his cape, letting it drop to the floor as he plopped onto Rolly. Two-Tone landed on him, and so on and so on.
With everything resolved, the pups were back in the barn finally resuming their celebration not only for Christmas, but for Roxy’s safe return. Autumn and Foody were munching on Christmas cookies, Querida and Winter were outside with Shadow, Rosalina, and Nicoletta catching snowflakes with their tongues, whilst Nicoletta and Rosalina were making snow angels. Christmas once again has been turned from a gloomy holiday, worrying about Roxy being extirpated to a jolly holiday set to warn the hearts of all the jovial inhabitants of the farm.
“This is going to be a Christmas I’ll never forget!” Querida giggled as she walked in the snow, feeling it crunch underneath her paws leaving snowy pawprints behind. “Now what could make this even better is us magically getting the ability to fly.”
“You had me at flying!” Shadow gasped, eyeing to the pup next to him. Even though it was impossible for Dalmatians to fly, without help from an airplane, he could still dream.
Roxy soon joined the group outside. “Do you have room for one more?” the vulpine asked. After her release, she could put what she had to go through behind her and simply have fun. She needed to relax and unwind from the stress of today.
With the fox, back, the Dearlys can have a very Merry Christmas, knowing that Roxy was here to stay.
A/N: Well, there you have it. I tried getting everyone in character, and if I didn't, then I'm sorry as this is my first time writing a huge story using OC and Canon Characters, as ye can see, I'm more fluent with writing OC stories, but this is like a learning experience. And if it sounds a bit dark, then I'm sorry, too. You don't have to read it.
Shadow, Autumn, Cecilia, Rosalina(c)Me Foody (c)Olwe Clayton and Kendra (c)Babclayman Querida, Winter, Nicoletta(c)DJ RJ Lucky, Roger, Anita, Rolly, Cadpig(c)Disney Richardson and the Animal Control Officers(c)No one they're just one-shot characters.
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