Sleep Travelers

The story of Ning, Dog, & Boss Book 1

Good Morning my friends, let’s continue to share the adventures of “Little Dawnie” and her friends as they meet new friends and have fun! Look for the chapters on my podcasts! Sleep Travelers book will be one of the featured books at the LA Times Book Festival at UCLA!

Chapter 2 Dogs Digs

“Now that my belly is almost full, a bath and rest are in order.” Dog said, pausing a few seconds, he continued, “If you have no place to crash, tonight, I invite you both to my digs by the river.” 

“We wouldn’t want to crowd you, after all, there are two of us,” Ning offered, “Although Boss sometimes prefers sleeping in a tree, so he can watch over me.”

“No problem, my digs will be big enough for all of us. Follow me and see for yourself. If you decide to stay or go, it’s your choice.”

The three possible new friends walked together until Boss decided flying would be easier.  He flew high enough to make sure Ning was safe.  She could take care of herself, but he knew she could be a little testy, and trouble should be her middle name.

Arriving at Dog’s “digs,” they were pleasantly surprised.  A tremendously tall fir tree stood a short distance from the edge of a meandering brook with several deep spots that Dog used for his baths.  He appeared anxious to jump in the swirling water to get the filth off his fur as, if truth be known, he also didn’t like being dirty.

Next to the base of the tree was an overgrowth of bushes that appeared to be woven tightly together to form a round dwelling. Covered with large leaves outside and inside making it snug and warm with an opening big enough for Dog to squeeze through.

Dog stood looking at them waiting for them to be impressed.  When they remained quiet, he was sure they were disappointed.  He hung his head a little saying, “Look, guys, I know it ain’t Buckingham Palace, but it stays dry when it rains, it’s close to water and big enough so we won’t get in each other’s way.” His eyes lit up when he continued, “And the best thing is, it’s not far from Miss Dawnzella’s house.”

“Dog, I am so sorry, I was surprised at the size, I honestly love it,” Ning said.  Boss standing close to the opening said, “Mr. Dog, this is quite nice, I would also enjoy a bath, and maybe catch a fish or two to share with you.   

“Hey, no need for the Mr. stuff, just call me Dog. I’d better hurry, the sun will be setting soon it can get quite chilly. Make yourselves at home, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”  He turned and ran to the river, jumping into the nearest pool, splashing and occasionally dipping his head under the water to clean his face and huge ears.   

Emerging dripping wet he walked a discrete distance from his “digs” and shook much of the water from his thick fur coat.  “I need to go for a run to dry off before I come inside.”

Ning and Boss watched him take off on a dead run and disappear from sight. Ning remarked to Boss, “He seems kinda nice, and he did offer us a safe place to sleep.”

“Yeah, he could have insisted on fighting over that salmon instead of sharing.  By the way, I happened to witness that fight he mentioned, and he is a scrapper. It would have been quite a match between you and him.”

“I would have won!” Ning bristled.

“Probably, but your beauty would have taken a beating.”

“He would have been the biggest opponent I have ever taken on, it would have been a challenge.  I am glad he decided to give in to my demands.”

Boss smiled, at the thought of that huge dog giving into Ning’s demands.  (Ning couldn’t see him smile,of course, birds don’t have lips, so any smiling was to himself.)

“Now that he is clean he doesn’t look half bad.  He certainly is big, but, has kind eyes peeking out of the fur that doesn’t quite fall over his face. The wavy gold and brown of his coat is quite handsome.”

“Let’s check  out his ‘digs’ after all,  he did invite

us.” Said Boss.

They walked through the opening and looking around, were surprised at how big it was.  The large leaves would indeed keep them warm and dry.  They staked out two spots on the far side from where they were confident Dog slept.  Ning found several large leaves and between her and Boss positioned them to make a soft bed.

As soon as Boss was sure Ning was happy and comfortable, he left for a quick swim and a short flight to dry himself. When he returned, Dog was back, curled up ready to sleep, and Ning had settled down on her bed.  Everyone said goodnight.

Stay tuned for Chapter 3 soon!

Published by Time Traveler of Life

Biography Creating worlds, characters, and wielding power like a madwoman, making my characters happy, sad, angry, and some of them with no redeeming qualities. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I sometimes laugh out loud when I am writing a scene, and I have been known to cry when one of my favorites has to die. I am a left-handed Gemini, what do you expect? Reading bedtime stories to my two children until they fell asleep or until they just told me to go away, was fun. Making up wild stories for my grandchild, and creating Halloween costumes from Cowboys to a Dragon, was another favorite thing to do. I missed that so much when they were grown, that I started writing. My yearly newsletters frequently were drafted third-person by my Love Birds, Miranda our motorhome, and by Sir Fit the White Knight, our faithful Honda. Throughout the years, some of my creative talents centered around writing letters of complaint expressing my displeasure with services or products. One crucial, at least to my Son, was a note to our local school bus driver petitioning her to allow him back on the bus. He was kicked off for making an obscene gesture at his buddy. I reminded her that it was not directed at her, and that “obscenity can be in the eye of the beholder,” kids use that gesture as a greeting. He rode the bus until he graduated. I loved driving my English teacher crazy. Leaving a “continued next week” at the end of my five handwritten pages required each week. He was one of many people that suggested I “do something about my writing.” I graduated from the School of Hard Knocks at the top of my class. After 30 years, in the trenches as a Real Estate Professional, I have found that truth is stranger than fiction. My books are filled with characters I met in that profession. Their names were changed to protect the guilty. Others were from people we met traveling around the country in Miranda, our Motorhome. I am married nearly 60 years to the love of my life, Shirl, and partner-produced two exceptionally talented children, and one grandchild who is our pride and joy.

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