The stranger loaded me into a larger den which I soon discovered could move. I don't know where or how long the den moved but when it stopped I had no idea where I was. He removed my small den from the moving den and we entered the largest den I'd ever seen. I was very scared when he opened the silver vines of my den. At first I didn't want to come out, but the human was very patient. He talked to me in a soothing tone and placed small bits of food just outside the den. Cautiously I poked my head out and ate the food. To my amazement there were many strange objects in this new den. The human offered me another piece of food. I tentatively approached the human and when I saw the encouraging expression on his face I my fear disappeared.

Those first few days were very difficult until I realized that I was part of a new pack with this human. I tried to show the human the respect of the Alpha but he did not respond in the proper manner. I was very confused.

While the human napped during the darkness I was placed in my den with silver vines. At first I was scared and lonely. I would cry for my mother and family, but the human did not seem to understand. When the darkness ended each day my human would release me from my den.

Eventually I became settled into my new pack. I started to explore the den in which my human lived. I was enthralled by all the wondrous things. There were places to climb and explore, interesting things to chew and strange new smells. I soon found that if I did something which displeased the human he would swat me with a roll of black and white leaves. They did not hurt very much but they made a noise which scared me. This seemed like a strange thing but it must be a law of the pack. I tried not to displease the human but there were so many new things and I did not know the laws of the pack.

I soon found that if I relieved myself in the den the human would swat me with the leaves. This was completely different from my first pack, but once I learned to express my need the human would allow me into an open territory where I could take care of my business. This open territory offered many wonders but my human did not give me much time to explore them.

As I continued to grow my human and I developed a daily routine. When we arose in the morning we would feed and then enter the open territory to play. This play was great fun but would always come to an abrupt halt. My human would place me in my den and get into his moving den. He would leave me alone for a long time, I would get lonely and bored in my small den.

One day I discovered that by pushing on the vines with my rear legs I could get out of my den. This was the first time I'd ever been out of my den without the human. I used the time to explore the den. I found a container which contained all kinds of wonderful smells and bits of food to eat. There were lots of strange things which I chewed on trying to determine the type of material. I discovered a wonderful container with soft soil for digging. I found a large pile of material on which I could smell the human. I took several pieces of the material back to my den. After my adventures I returned to my den for a nap.

I had come to recognize the sound of the moving den when the human returned for the day. On this day I thought it would be proper for me to greet the human as he entered the den. I waited anxiously at the entry. When he entered the den he was surprised to see me. I followed him into the den as he observed my exploits. He became very angry with me and used the leaves to give me the harshest beating ever. I cowered in my den as he moved about discovering and repairing what I had done.

The next day following our morning routine the human entered the den and left me alone in the open territory. What was I to do now?

Next chapter...