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It was a slow Monday afternoon at the petting zoo on the bad side of town. The pretend birds were practicing their choir and could be heard all over the park. Dash the Cheetah, Spotty the Leopard, and Tasha the Snow Leopard sit and watch. Dash whispers, "Why they got to tweet out those lame old love songs?" Tasha whispers back, "Nostalgia. really brings in the tips." Spotty silently nods his head to the beat of the song.

The song ends and Spotty thumps his front paw on the ground in applause. A racket can be heard approaching behind them and Sugar's grandpuppy, Ivan the White Wolf, runs between them. Spotty notices the wallet in Ivan's mouth. Ivan run straight at the crowd of birds. They scatter and flap everywhere with a flurry of loose feathers. Sugar's daughter, Scarlet, is chasing close behind him and leaps over the trio of cats. The panicking birds cause her to trip and roll to a grinding stop as Ivan continues to run away. Dash laughs hysterically at the scene. She stands up to shake off the grass and dirt. Scarlet yells after him, "Return that, right now!" Ivan ignores her and runs around a building.

Tasha says, "They're so cute at that age." Scarlet scowls, "The age when they are disobedient bastards?" Tasha replies, "He's just bored." Spotty says, "He probably just needs a positive male role model in his life." Scarlet replies, "You can say that again. Sugar keeps training him to do these damn things."

In the park restroom, Ivan pants to catch his breath. With a smile, he noses through the wallet and pulls out the green papers just like Sugar taught him. He leaves the wallet beside a toilet and walks off with the cash. Joel, the balding human snack bar attendant, sees the puppy walk up with a mouth full of cash. He opens the side door to let him in and takes the money from his mouth. Joel picks the puppy up to show him the cabinet of food and says, "What did you want to try today?" He waves Ivan slowly in front of the shelves and Ivan occasionally points his paw and yells "Dat!" at items.

Joel is smart enough to know not to feed a dog chocolate so he ignores any selections that contain it. He sets the pup down and piles a tray with the selected beef jerkys, sugary soft candies, chips, and snack cakes. He rings up the overpriced junkfood, uses the money to pay for it, and holds onto the change for the next time Ivan wants to binge on snacks. Ivan is jumping up against Joel's leg and saying, "Mine Mine Mine!" Joel walks out the door and sets the tray on one of the low tables the employees use. Ivan points at a snack and Joel opens it to feed it to him. Ivan tries each snack and spits out a few he doesn't like. Joel pops a few of the chips into his mouth and says, "I don't see why you don't like these. They are an american classic."

After the snack binge, Ivan walks off happy and Joel slides the tray of leftovers down the long table to Thomas the African Wild Dog and Howard the Lynx. Howard says, "That kid is gonna get dog diabetes from all that sugar." Thomas replies, "That's not a thing. But we should probably tell his Mom." Joel says, "Let the kid have his fun. You know all his tips and wages go directly into his mom's account. She never buys him junk food." Thomas sniffs at a half eaten spicy jerky and grabs it in his mouth to chew on. Howard starts eating some potato chips and says with his mouth full, "It so weird how different things taste after I became a lynx. I mean, it still tastes good but in a different way now."

Thomas says, "It's strange to think about how he has always been a wolf when the rest of us chose to get transformed into animals." Joel replies, "He seems like a pretty normal human child but on four legs. I heard he was practically a prisoner in the Russian zoo he was born at."

At another part of the zoo, Cody the Spotted Hyena and his new Russian wife Belka, also a spotted hyena, cuddle against each other in the grass of the touching section of the petting zoo. Belka's larger body, missing right front leg, right eye, and scars are a sharp contrast to Cody's smaller, well groomed, and fully intact body. Belka uses her prosthetic leg to poke Cody and says, "Look over there!" Cody looks up to see Ivan puking on the sidewalk. Cody says, "Gross! He definitely takes after his grandfather."

Cody places his head against Belka and says, "You better talk russian to him and make sure he's alright." Belka calls out his name and the pup comes walking over. Ivan and Belka converse in Russian and then Ivan jumps on Cody to snuggle up to the hyenas. Belka tells Cody, "He eat disgusting American food. No good for tummy. Nothing nap won't fix." Ivan gives a yawn and closes his eyes.

After a while, Scarlet finally traces Ivan's scent to find him taking a nap on Cody. She looks at him sleeping peacefully and can't stay mad at him. Cody says to Scarlet, "He is adorable, when he's not acting like his grandpa." Scarlet lays down against Belka and replies, "I know. I was the same way when I was his age, but I didn't realize how terrible Sugar was until after he dumped me with his ex-wife. I used to think the trip we took from Alaska to California was the most fun I ever had. Then I learned in school about how many laws we broke along the way." Cody says, "Oh, I can imagine."

Belka, Cody, and Scarlet look at a guest snapping several pictures of them. Belka turns her bad side away from the camera and the man says, "Sorry, I couldn't help overhearing. You're Sugar's daughter?" Scarlet replies, "Unfortunately, I am." Ivan wakes up, sees the man talking with his mom, and runs over to scratch at his leg. The man picks the puppy up and holds him. He says, "Sugar's grandchild?" Scarlet nods. The man says, "He's adorable."

In the main square of the park, Spotty the Leopard and Tasha the Snow Leopard walk together and talk. Tasha asks, "Do you want to have kittens with me?" Spotty is evasive, "We have only known each other for a few weeks, It's a bit soon to be talking about starting a family." Tasha replies, "I never could find the right guy back when I was human. But now that I changed, it feels like it's something I could do." Spotty asks, "But why me?"

Tasha huffs, "Well I sure as heck don't want to do it with Dash, Howard, Franklin, or Jerry. Besides, our kittens will be beautiful hybrids." Tasha stares off into space imagining what they would look like. Spotty continues to be evasive, "I'm gonna need to think about this." Tasha replies, "Don't think about it too long, my heat will be coming up soon."

Tasha says, "See you later," and joins Cassandra the Kangaroo, Shelly the Giant Tortoise, and Sandra the Cougar. Spotty walks faster, glad that he navigated that conversation without committing to anything or pissing her off too much.

Walking into the limited-touching section, Spotty sees his friend Dash and asks, "You notice that all the women here have baby fever after Scarlet and Ivan showed up?" Dash sits up and says, "Yeah, it's great because they are all horny for a good banging." Spotty narrows his eyes and asks, "Who you been 'banging'?" Dash looks around and then replies, "Well, no one yet, but I'm just waiting for them to get back to me on the offers." Spotty shakes his head and replies, "Just don't bang any of the cats, I really don't think you are responsible enough to be a dad yet."

Dash shoots back, "Hey! I would make a great Dad! All you gotta do, is bring them food and stay out of the way, while the mother does all the child rearing work. I watch enough of those nature documentaries in the cafeteria to know all about it." Spotty closes his eyes tight and waits for his urge to slap his friend to pass. Spotty then replies, "At least it is only a 12-18 month commitment for most animals."

At the women's circle, Tasha explains the situation and then says, "Why does Spotty seem like he doesn't want a free lay when I'm raising my tail for him?" Being the most experienced one here, Shelly replies, "I used to get out of having marital congress with my husband by telling him I wanted him to put another baby in me. It always turned him into a wet noodle." The women laugh.

Sandra says, "If you want that baby so bad, just go back to the clinic. You think they just throw away all that baby batter from their jerkoff machine?" Cassandra suggests, "You should just adopt a smaller animal at the zoo. I got me one that fills all my motherly urges." Tasha gives Cassandra a questioning look and asks, "What do you mean?" Cassandra pulls her pouch open and points in it. The girls all take turns looking at Kyle the Brown Rabbit sleeping peacefully . Cassandra says, "He takes a nap in there every day and I don't mind." Sandra asks, "You don't mind him rubbing up against your nipples?" The kangaroo laughs and says, "He knows not to get too frisky with me."

Tasha says, "Anyway, getting artificially inseminated isn't very romantic." Sandra replies, "I'm sure you could get them to dim the lights and light a few candles while they do it." The girls all laugh. Tasha sees Scarlet and Ivan walking by. She calls them over and asks Scarlet, "I don't mean to pry, but can you tell us about how you found the right guy to have a kid with?" Scarlet looks at Ivan chasing his tail and says, "It was really unexpected. I had a few boyfriends while going to school. I dated a labrador and then a german shepherd. They were sweet to me, but just didn't feel like father material. I wanted to see the world so I signed up with a russian zoo. I booked the flight to Russia with a week long layover in Alaska so I could visit my Mom."

Tasha says, "I see where this is going. You found you a home grown country wolf in your small hometown." Shelly says, "Don't ruin the story." Scarlet continues, "Yeah, I had just tracked down my pack and hugged my mom, when I noticed a wolf that I used to play with when I was a pup. We hit it off right away and one thing led to another. I was enjoying Russia when I realized I was pregnant." Tasha asks "You were enjoying that Zoo in Russia? Sugar always said it was like a prison." Scarlet laughs and replies, "That's because the wolf enclosure was being renovated while he was there. We were all crammed in that little glass enclosed pen until it was finished. We weren't allowed to roam free to protect us from kidnappings. I avoided telling Sugar all this because it's just so much fun torturing him." The girls laugh at the explanation of why Sugar had such a bad time in Russia.

The next day, Tasha the Snow Leopard is at the Transformation Clinic. Dr Barling says, "Being a single mother is a big responsibility. How about I see about getting you a part time job as a foster mother?" Tasha asks, "You think that will curb these urges?" Barling nods his head and says, "Definitely! I guarantee once you bond with something, having your own kids will be the last thing on your mind." Barling picks up the phone and dials a number.

A few hours later, A taxi drops Tasha off at the petting zoo. On her back is a grey lump that clings on. She clocks in and walks through the zoo to the office to register her new 'son'.

Tasha walks into Mr Swanson's office and he asks, "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Tasha sheepishly says, "Hi boss! I might have gotten talked into something this morning." Swanson looks at her sternly, "What did you do?" Tasha turns to the side and shows him the grey lump hiding in the fluffy grey fur on her back. Swanson exclaims "What the heck is that?" She steps forward and Swanson pulls the lump off her back. The creature starts squealing, "Mom! Mom! Mom!" Swanson sets the creature down on her back and asks, "You adopted a possum?"

Tasha says, "I'm sorry, I should have asked your permission. But the little guy climbed on my back and didn't want to let go. The vets said his mom abandoned him because he is a half-breed." Swanson rolls his eyes and says, "Fine! I assume he's been chipped and vaccinated?" Tasha vigorously nods her head. Swanson uses his computer and opens a new employee file. Swanson opens a drawer on his desk and pulls out a microchip scanner. He rubs it across the possum and it beeps. He asks, "What's his name?" A look of terror crosses Tasha's face. "Oh my god! I haven't even named him yet!"

With annoyance, Swanson erases the microchip's serial number that automatically filled out the name template. Swanson says, "You have five seconds to tell me his new name or I'm picking one for you." Panic hits Tasha as she quickly tries to come up with a name. Her mind is blank and all that comes out is, "uhh, uhh?" Swanson types into the computer. With a smile, Swanson says, "Congratulations Tasha, I'm sure you'll be a loving mother to 'Taco Supreme'."

Tasha yells "What? You can't name him that!" Swanson stares Tasha in the eyes as he hits enter on his keyboard and says, "Looks like I just did." Swanson picks up the Possum and sets it on Tasha's head. He snaps a cute picture with a digital camera and uploads it to Taco Supreme's employee file. Swanson wants to go for maximum embarrassment so he reaches for his desk phone and presses the code for the public address system.

All around the park everyone stops what they are doing as Swanson's voice echos, "Attention guests and employees. In five minutes, at the main square of the park, we will be having a welcoming party for the parks newest mother! Tasha the Snow Leopard and her new son, Taco Supreme!" Tasha is mortified and Taco plays with her ears. Swanson hangs up the phone and says, "Better get going." Tasha trudges out the door.

At the main square, animals and people gather. Sugar says to Scarlet, "Ever since you got here, all the bitches have been fawning over Ivan, wanting to have cubs of their own." Scarlet replies, "What am I to do, if everyone is jealous of my puppy?"

Dash asks Spotty, "Did he say her baby was named Taco Supreme?" Spotty shrugs and replies, "I thought she was trying to convince me to knock her up. Maybe she took my hints that I'm not into that?"

Cassandra, Shelly, and Sandra walk up together. Cassandra asks, "I know I said 'adopt' yesterday, but did she really find a baby that quick?"

A laugh erupts through the crowd as the first people spot Tasha walking towards them with a baby possum on her head. The laughing continues as Tasha makes her way to the center of the crowd. Sugar yells, "What trash can did you pick that thing out of?" Shelly the tortoise walks up and bites his tail. Sugar lets out a yip and tries to claw and bite at Shelly, but she has already locked herself in her shell.

Karen, the human park attendant, spots Tasha and says, "Congratulations girl! May I?" She gently pick up the baby possum and holds it up for the crowd to see. Pictures are taken and a group forms at a tipping kiosk as someone looks at Taco Supreme's profile page. People start swiping debit cards and sending money to Taco. Sugar gapes as he watches all the money being sent to the little rat. Relief washes over Tasha when Taco is gently placed back on her neck and the crowd starts to disperse.

Cassandra the Kangaroo hops over and says, "How did you adopt a baby in less than a day?" Shelly, Sandra, and a few others, gather round to hear an explanation. Tasha says, "Well, apparently, it is super easy for an animal to adopt another animal since they want to make sure humans aren't adopting us for the novelty of a talking pet." Sandra asks the burning question, "But why is he named Taco Supreme?" Tasha doesn't want to explain the embarrassment of forgetting to name her son, "That's the name he came with."

Taco squeeks, "Mom, food!" Tasha says, "Excuse me everybody. Taco is hungry." Tasha is glad Taco gave her an excuse to leave her welcoming party. She heads to the snack bar to figure out how to feed her new baby. Everyone is left in the square gossiping and speculating how this will turn out.

Joel sees Tasha and smiles, "Hey there, I heard the announcement! Where's baby 'Taco Supreme'?" Tasha turns her head and Joel sees the possum on her neck. Joel slowly says "Okay... Taco Supreme?" Little Taco says, "Hi!" Joel says, "Cute fella. What can I get for you today?" Tasha replies, "I'm not sure. They said he was a 4 year old equivalent so maybe some milk and a beef jerky?"

Grabbing a carton of milk from a fridge, Joel pours some into a shallow bowl. He grabs a beef jerky and sets it on a tray. Joel says, "It's on me today, Mama Tasha." Joel walks out the door and sets the tray on the low employee table. He opens the jerky and sets it beside the bowl. Tasha stands in front of the tray and says, "Taco it's time for a snack." Taco yells "food" and climbs around to Tasha's chest. He reaches his paw out towards it refusing to climb off his new mom. Tasha holds the back of her front paw up and he climbs on it. She lowers him towards the table and he still refuses to let go of her, so she slides the paw up to the jerky.

Being very hungry, Taco grabs the end of the jerky and starts eating it. Joel says, "He's really attached to you isn't he?" Tasha replies, "That's probably why they let me adopt him so fast. I was really surprised it only took an hour. They showed me a few others they had, but Taco ran right up to climb on my back and refused to let go." Joel runs a hand through Tasha's fur and says, "I don't blame the kid. You're one fine mama." Tasha giggles.

The baby possum munches on the beef jerky as Tasha takes a few licks of the milk. Taco sees his new mom drinking the milk and reaches towards the rim of the bowl. Tasha scoots him closer and he dips his head in the bowl taking bites at the milk. Taco splashs milk everywhere as he tries to bite at a drink. Tasha looks at her new son and says, "You have to lick it." Taco watches as Tasha slowly dips her tongue into the milk and pulls some into her mouth. He gets the idea quickly, and happily follows suit.

The zoo is quiet as Dave the Coyote walks up to the snack bar and orders a bowl of chicken soup. He sits beside Tasha and looks at her baby. Being born a coyote and raised in a national park, Dave has his quirks. He tries to compliment Tasha's baby, "He looks very tasty!" Tasha looks at Dave questioningly. Dave gets the hint he might have used the wrong word, "I'm sorry. The humans always smile and laugh when they say that about each other's babies?" Tasha thinks she knows what Dave is trying to express and says, "The expression is, cute enough to eat, and... I don't think you should be using that expression as a coyote." Things click in to place for Dave as he remembers that guests give mixed reactions when he says that about their kids.

Dave laps up his chicken soup. Taco sees him eating and reaches his paw out. Dave gives a glance at the little guy and asks, "Did you want to try some?" Taco squeeks out, "Yes!" Tasha slides her paw over to the bowl and Taco looks into the soup. The little possum eyes the soup left in the bowl and Dave takes a bite out of the remaining noodles. Taco reaches in the bowl to grab at a noodle and it squishes between his fingers. Taco licks his hand and tries again.

The married spotted hyena couple, Cody and Belka, finish playing with a young child in the touching section of the petting zoo. They wave goodbye and Belka says in her thick russian accent, "Husband, you ever want kids?" Cody replies, "I thought we were just married to get you a green card?" Belka smiles and says, "Yes yes, but maybe we be more?" Cody's eyes light up and he looks at Belka's pseudo penis, "How does that thing even work? I doubt I'll be giving us any kids with you constantly putting it in MY butt." Belka smiles and says, "I keep trying and maybe god find way?" They both laugh and Cody gives his wife a affectionate nuzzle.

Cody says, "I'm sure my parents would be delighted to have grand... puppies or kittens?" Belka laughs and says, "We not koshka or sobaka. We proud giyena!" Cody rolls his eyes at his wife's strange russian hyena pride. Belka whispers, "Maybe order bottle of Vodka and see what happen tonight?" Cody thinks to himself, 'We have a very tight knit family at the petting Zoo. I'm sure there would be lots of animals willing to babysit if we need a time out from raising our cub.' Cody makes a mental note to call his Mom for advice about it.

In the unofficial reptile area of the petting zoo, Scotty the Raptor sits on his favorite sunbathing rock beside the pond. His pink feather crest gleams in the sun as he watches ripples on the water. Roy the Alligator and Alex the Crocodile float in the pond and they discuss the recent baby fever going around the petting zoo. Roy asserts, "This place would be filled to the brim with babies if Swanson ever hired two of the same species. Our options are very limited. When two animals of the same species are put together, of course we're gonna start eyeing each other for relief from our carnal needs."

Alex asks, "You want to go down to Florida and get set loose for mating season?" Roy replies, "Gross, I'm not gonna bang some random feral." Alex replies, "I did that one year. I wonder if any of her eggs hatched? I know the chances of fertilization are really low but she layed like fifty of them. That had to boost the chances that one of them made something."

Scotty asks, "You abandoned your potential kids to the wild?" Alex replies, "Yeah, my vacation was up and I'm sure she knew what she was doing." Scotty rolls his head and says, "At least you even have ferals to sleep with. The raptor beta testing program isn't going too well. A few of us have been dying off randomly for the last few months." Roy asks, "You going to be okay?"

With a morbid calm, Scotty replies, "I knew this was a risk when I signed up. If I make it to one year, I can go in for an minor transformation update to correct everything that was learned from the dissections of the failures." With a shake of his head, Alex says, "You could always go back to being a Komodo Dragon?"

Scotty looks up from staring at his hands and says, "I wanted to be a dinosaur my whole life. I don't want to settle for being something lesser." Roy says, "I know the feeling buddy." With morbid excitement Scotty says, "If I do randomly kick the bucket, after the technicians are done examining my body, my skeleton will be put on display at a museum until the end of time." With sarcasm, Alex says, "I'm sure they will make a very nice limited edition Louis Vuitton purse out of your skin."

Roy says, "Here comes a guest. I dare you to scare them off." Scotty says, "You have a hard enough time getting tips as it is. Why you want to make it harder?" Recognizing the guest approaching them, Scotty gets off his rock and walks over. Scotty says, "Hello Jessica. Where are the kids?" Jessica points to her two kids still playing with Cody and Belka then says, "They miss Uncle Scotty. You should come visit more often." Scotty holds back his emotions and says, "You know how hard it is for me to travel now." Scotty suddenly hugs Jessica as his eyes start to water. He holds her for a long time as the tears soak into her shirt. She pets his head not understanding why Scotty always cries when she visits him.

The fear of not knowing if he will wake up in the morning eats away at Scotty. He doesn't want to burden his sister with that knowledge because she would sabotage her own happiness trying to focus her life around him. Scotty rubs his eyes on his sister's shirt to dry the tears away. Jessica looks at him with a smile and says, "You're such a big softy. I know we don't get to see each other too often, but you don't have to cry."

At dinner time in the Cafeteria, Philthy the Polar Bear sits in the back corner and quietly eats a bowl of cubed pork. A Panda bear approaches him. She nervously says, "Hi, my name is LingLing. I'm new here and wanted to get to know my fellow bears." With quiet fury at being bothered, Philthy turns his large claw scar covered head towards the small Panda to eyeball her. She is oblivious to the Polar bear's past as she holds her paw out for a shake. Philthy wipes the greasy juices off his muzzle with a paw and uses it to quickly grab the panda's offered paw. She looks down with a frown at the greasy handshake as he says, "Philthy the Polar Bear."

With caution, LingLing sits beside him. Philthy just ignores her and starts loudly eating. She tries her best to make conversation, "I joined the petting zoo because I wanted to meet new people. You look like you have lived an interesting life. Did you get all those scars from illegal animal fighting?" She looks at the scars on his front legs and hovers her paw over it to measure the slashes. He continues to ignore her as she blabbers on.

Walking over carrying a bowl, Mrs Larson places the bamboo salad in front of LingLing and says to Philthy, "With all those black scars, you look like just as much of a panda as she does." Philthy narrows his eyes at Mrs Larson but doesn't say anything. LingLing says, "He's very striking to look at. I bet he gets the most attention." With a laugh Mrs Larson says, "Not in a good way." She walks off to let the Panda make her mistake of trying to befriend Philthy.

LingLing scoots closer to Philthy as she asks, "Are you married or have a girlfriend?" Philthy lets out a sigh and says, "If you're looking for a good time, let's just skip the small talk and meet me behind the maintenance building in 15 minutes." The polar bear walks out of the cafeteria and LingLing eye's his butt with curiosity. LingLing quickly eats her salad and goes to find the maintenance building.

At the next table over, Dash the Cheetah asks, "Can Pandas and Polars even make babies?" Blade the Raven walks around on the table and says, "I dunno but I'm gonna go watch." Sugar the White Wolf states, "All birds are dirty voyeurs. That's why i don't trust you." Spotty the Leopard says, "I think it's sweet that she's gonna give him a chance. You know how grumpy he is all the time." Blade grabs a pork cube from Tasha's plate and holds it in his beak. Tasha The Snow Leopard asks, "How did he get that way?" Blade jumps on Tasha's back and holds the piece of pork up to Taco. The possum happily takes it in his paws and munches on it.

Sugar lies and says, "I heard all his girlfriends dump him after the first date." Spotty replies, "I heard he was the one to dump you." Dash, Blade, and Tasha laugh at the put down. Tasha asks, "Remember that rumor that he was sleeping with Tina?" Sugar laughs and says, "They would make a cute couple. They both have matching black stripes." Everyone chuckles. Blade says, "They are probably at the alley by now. I'll see you chumps later." Blade jumps off Tasha and glides over to the exit. Mrs Larson yells at Blade, "No flying in the cafeteria!"

At the barn, Frank the Camel, Bucky the Whitetail Deer, and Christmas the Reindeer lay in the hay and talk. A few others mill around and get brushed by attendants. Frank asks, "What do you make of Tasha adopting that possum?" Christmas says, "I don't think it's going to last very long before she gets bored of him and starts asking people to babysit." Bucky replies, "I wouldn't mind babysitting. Just let him climb around on my antlers while I rake in the tips." Christmas states, "Yeah, it's all fun and games until you're covered in the three p's. Piss, poop, and puke." Frank laughs and asks, "You say that like you have personal experience?"

With a nod of his head, Christmas answers, "I dated someone who used me as a free babysitter for her sister's kids. I still want to know how someone less than 3 feet tall managed to get piss on the 8 foot ceiling of my bathroom." Bucky and Frank chuckle.

Ivan, the White Wolf puppy, walks into the stables and looks around. Christmas says, "Speaking of piss, poop, and puke, here comes a prime example. Did you see the pile of rainbow colored puke on the sidewalk today?" Frank asks, "That was his?" Christmas nods his head and says, "I saw it happen." Bucky says, "Someone should teach him to puke in the grass." Christmas replies, "Or just teach him moderation."

The puppy wonders around and comes to a salt lick. He sniffs it and starts licking. Bucky calls him over, "Ivan, don't do that. Come over here to uncle Bucky." With his youthful exuberance, Ivan bounds over and stands on his back legs to gnaw at Bucky's left antler. Bucky turns his head sideways and the pup sits down to bite on it for a while.

Frank says, "You're way too nice to him. He needs to be hit with a rolled up newspaper every now and then." Bucky says, "You can't blame him for acting like a puppy." Christmas rolls his eyes and says, "Don't come crying to us when you have teeth marks on your antlers."

Scarlet has her nose to the ground and come sniffing into the barn. She walks up to the trio and says, "Thank you for watching out for my pup." Bucky pulls his antlers away and Ivan looks at his mom. He smiles at her and she says, "Don't come in here again. You could get stepped on. I worry about you." Ivan lowers his ears and says, "Yes Mama." The weariness of constantly chasing after Ivan weighs on her. Scarlet's worst fear is that history will repeat itself and her son will end up like the rest of her siblings. She says, "I'm glad that you have your guardian angels, Uncle Shadow, Uncle Cinnamon, and Aunt Vanilla to help me watch over you."

The wolves walk off towards the dorms next door. Ivan says, "Mama can we practice howling." Figuring that it is a useful skill for him in case he got lost, Scarlet agrees. They head towards the pond and look at the half moon in the sky. She raises her head to the starry skies to give a howl. Ivan joins in, harmonizing his voice to hers. A few canine animals still around the empty park hear the howl and come running. Sugar, Thomas, Dave and a few others trot up to join in. The dogs all sing to the moon goddess together.

Joy fills Scarlet as the sound brings back the memory of her brothers, sister, and mother howling at the moon to call her useless father home from one of his benders.