Too Hot To Handle

The hot summer days are only rivaled by the nights and it is difficult to find relief from the heat. Strix spends as much of the daylight as he can in the ocean, allowing the water to cool his core and make the day more bearable. However, when night falls and the family retreats into the compound, the pup has found it is much more difficult to keep cool. Tonight, he tosses and turns on the floor, no fur between him and the ground in a vain attempt to pull the earth’s chill into his body. He hears the shifting of bodies and murmurs as the rest of family try to find sleep but seem to be failing as well. Tongue hangs out his mouth as the pup pants in the still air of the night and wanders if he will ever feel the cold kiss of rain again.

His father rises and Strix’s head lifts to catch his sire’s movements, nodding to the instructions that are given. The pup immediately jumps up and scrambles to the fur he normally sleeps on, sloppily rolling up and grabbing it in his mouth. He sprints after his family, eager to see what adventure is in store for them. They arrive at the beach quickly and he throws his fur down near his father’s before watching Chimera stoke the dying embers. Soon the flames dance and he follows his father into the lapping water. The water pulls the heat from his body and, despite the warmth of the water, Strix soon begins to cool.

He lets a long, loud, happy sigh and sinks under a rolling wave, allowing the ocean to swallow him for a moment. Head pops up above the surface and he inhales a deep breath as he shakes some water from his ears. Strix lets out a happy laugh as he paddles in the shallow water, aiming to splash his brothers and family any chance he can get.


"Strix Klein"