Muddy paws

The largest of the trio of pups stared up at Mother with widened eyes. They were going out! He turned to look at each of his siblings with a yip and a wag of his tail. "Comeon yews twos, Iah pwotect you from wha'ever a'ventu awaits us owside!" Of course Mother was there, so he was sure they'd be safe, but being the largest he felt a sense of protectiveness envelop him, especially when it came to their sister.

Turning from them he hurried after Mother whose voice always soothed him whenever he had a bout of fear himself. Which he didn't like to show as he burst out of the entrance. He closed his eyes as he was so unused to so much light and ever so slowly did he reopen them as he grew accustomed to the outside of their nesting den.

"Wow!" He exclaimed as he bounced around Mother in wonder as he sniffed at everything he saw, but kept close to her while waiting for his siblings to emerge. Without them it wouldn't be as fun to explore these new scents and sights.