Rust

I have raised many pups during my lifetime in the Pack of Boulders. I have been a pupsitter for my entire adulthood, guarding the pups of this pack with my life. I loved every one of them. Some of them have grown up to be great wolves. Others, well. . .they didn't stay in the pack for long. I've even adopted pups with my mate, Onyx. Together, we've raised four strong wolves who were abandoned by their birth packs. There's Rhyolite, my eldest adopted daughter, who's grown into our packs skilled herbalist. Onyx and I did a pretty good job with her, if I do say so myself. Next, there's Cordierite, a scout who's exploring new lands. I'm so proud of my adopted son for venturing so far from our familiar territory-I'm pretty content right here with the pups! Then there's a wolf after my own heart, Jasper, who's finally figured out her calling raising pups alongside me. Then there's my youngest adopted son, Ekanite. He's. . .something. Our leader brought him into the pack to be a pupsitter (because there are far too many pups and far too few of us!), but I'm not quite sure his personality is the right fit for the job. He can't focus on one thing for long, and there's so much to focus on when you're pupsitting! I hope he does well. . .and, even if he doesn't, I hope Labradorite lets him stay.

Even though raising adopted pups has been fulfilling, none of mine and Onyx's biological pups have been permitted to stay in the pack. I'm getting older, and I just had my last litter-I hope Labradorite lets them stay. It would be soo great to have my own biological pups in the pack.

1 month later. . .

The outrage! Labradorite just forced four of my five young puppies out of the pack! He said the pack 'didn't need them' and that 'they were too plain to keep around'. Too plain! Not necessary! How dare he! Each pup is unique and offers vital things to this pack. My poor puppies, chased out to fend for themselves just as their eyes opened. . .

But I did manage to save one: my daughter, Bauxite. I defended her as Labradorite tried to chase her out. Just before a full blown fight broke out, Onyx convinced Labradorite that Bauxite's base was 'valuable' enough to mean keeping her around. Sigh. But if that's what it takes to keep my last daughter by my side, I will take it. Labradorite's already determined that she will be a pupsitter though-the nerve! He barely even waited for her personality to emerge before assigning her a role. The arrogance of this young leader. Back in my day, our leaders would never have done something like that. I fear for the future of our pack.