What Makes A Home?

Saturday, February 24, 2018

by Maggie

January 2013

Barkers run in packs. When I lost my smoothskins after The Storm I had to find a pack. We were a motley crew — none of us had ever lived on the land so we had no idea what to do. But we figured it out. And we took care of each other. 

Then we all got scooped up and carried away to strange places. I remember being so terrified of all the smoothskins who came into my life with their cages and leashes and strange food and noisy transportation devices. I hated it. I longed for my home by the sea. 

So what makes a home? Is it the grass or a dry place to sleep or a warm fireplace? Puppies? Fresh water? Maybe it’s all of that stuff and maybe it’s none of it. 

I have lived with my Alpha for a long time and this recent move has helped me understand that I don’t really care where we live. As long as I can be with her, I’m home. Now don’t get me wrong — I’m glad I have my other smoothskins, too, and my mousers and my barker. But home is where my Alpha is. We take care of each other. I don’t want to be anywhere else.