It was chilly when Jed awoke as the sun was just peeking above the horizon. He found himself curled up and shivering. He and Lizzie had enjoyed a warm spell for the time of year, but he guessed the temperature was in the upper forties. When Jed looked at Lizzie, he was pleasantly surprised to see Tommy curled up next to her, sharing body heat.
Breakfast was going to be an issue. He didn’t want to leave the bear, but having given Tommy all of the jerky, they didn’t have anything else with them. Tommy’s head popped up and a soft growl came from deep in his throat when Jed stood. Jed spoke to him softly, and Tommy settled down and put his head back on his paws. Walking around helped remove some of the stiffness caused by Jed’s uncomfortable sleeping position, and he felt better than he thought he would.
He found the three dead coyotes he shot during the night, but it was Tommy who had really saved them. Coyotes, he knew, normally would not attack like they did, but when in a group all bets were off. All three coyotes appeared undernourished, so hunger could have brought on the attack.
Black Labradors are generally pretty docile, but the time surviving in the wild had taught Tommy to defend himself. His collar was too tight, and something was going to have to be done about it. But there was no way Tommy would let him do anything, at least not yet. Perhaps Lizzie could.
“Lizzie,” he called softly. “Lizzie.”
Lizzie stirred, and Tommy lifted his head again, watching Jed carefully, but he didn’t growl.
“Lizzie, I need you to wake up.”
Lizzie stretched and then shivered from the chill as she awakened. At first she was startled and then pleased to find Tommy curled up against her.
“I think you have a friend. He growled at me when I got up.”
Lizzie sat up and reached toward Tommy, who drew back, but then allowed her to pet his head. When she scratched behind his ears, all hesitancy vanished and he laid his head in her lap, rolling his head from side to side to get both ears scratched.
“Do you think you could get his collar off, Lizzie? It’s way too tight.”
Lizzie tried to slip her fingers under the collar, but it was so snug she could not do so without choking him. “Let me have your knife, and I’ll cut it off.”
Jed pulled his KA-BAR from its sheath and stepped toward her. Tommy picked up his head and growled. “Tommy, he’s okay. Just settle down, now.” Tommy quit growling but watched carefully as Jed came closer.
Jed reached out his hand to Tommy to sniff and said, “It’s okay, Tommy. It’s just me.” Once Tommy was settled, Jed was able to pet his head and scratch his ears. Tommy seemed to like attention but for some reason was still cool toward Jed. Jed grasped his KA-BAR by the back of the blade and extended the haft toward Lizzie. “Be very careful. It’s razor sharp.”
Lizzie took it gingerly and cautiously slipped the blade under the collar. Tommy didn’t like it when the collar pulled on his throat, and he started to struggle, but Lizzie was able to calm him. Then, with a quick slice, the collar dropped from his neck. Tommy shook his head in relief, turning to Lizzie and licking her face.
Jed said, “It’s not fair! Tommy got the first kiss!” and he laughed. Lizzie was busy wiping dog slobber from her face as she tried to get away.
“I could use some breakfast, but I think we had best get this old bear back to the cabin right away. We have a lot of work before us if we are going to save this meat and the hide.”
Lizzie handed him the KA-BAR and got up from the ground. She walked over to Jed and kissed him on the cheek.
“That’s because Tommy wouldn’t kiss you,” she said and giggled.