FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

“How do humans watch this?” Rhino asked no one in particular as he stared at the tv. A well groomed dalmatian jumped from high speed car to higher speed car on a highway. Lazors zoomed past him, the thugs on screen were about as well trained as storm troopers.

“It has a cute dog?” Mittens piped up nonchalantly, taking a brief pause in her grooming.

“Isn't Bolt supposed to be the one calling dogs cute?” Rhino asked the tabby.

“From the way super butt is looking at the screen I think he’s thinking about more than his spots.” Mittens shot towards the wide eyed dog that was staring at the screen. Bolt instantly looked over to the cat and started to defend himself.

“What- no I wouldn't, I mean it's-it’s.” He gestured towards the screen with his paw.

“Your crush Lighting Strike.” Mittens finished with a giggle.

“Puhlease. As if. The only interest I need is Penny...and Rhino.”

Mittens stopped her tongue mid lick. “What about me?”

“You're the extra baggage.” Bolt remarked, a smirk parted his lips.

“The ‘extra baggage’ between your legs may not be where they should tomorrow.” She growled lightly, they all knew this was in good fun, Bolt still felt a few shivers go through him.

A quick succession of stomping filled the small home as Penny came running down the stairs. “Looks like she's finally taking a break.” Mittens remarked.

“You know how hard exams are.” Bolt told her.

“No WE don't. But they can't be as hard as trekking across the country with a delusional dog and hamster.”

“I...actually won't argue that point.” The white Shepherd agreed.

“Bolt! Time to go out!” Penny called out as she passed the trio on the green couch. She stood near the door waiting for Bolt to follow.

“Be right back guys!” He yelled as he jumped off the cushion and over to his human. As soon as she opened the door he bolted outside and onto their patio.

“With the energy of an newborn pup.” Mitten noted as she stood up and stretched her back. Rhino was staring back at the tv. “This is still garbage.” He breathed out as he rolled onto the floor, the ball he was in let out a loud clank as he hit the wooden surface.

“Absoutivley posolutley.” She confirmed as she shut the contraption off.

The scent of grass, dirt, and hay filled the dog's nose as he bounded through the yard with what seemed to have no end. Having no neighbors closer to you than a mile away was a blessing, the darkening sky above him wasn't however. Bolt sniffed around for a spot to relieve himself which, as always, was right next to the large tree that was in the back yard. He lifted up his leg to go about his business as he gazed upon through the yard. “Perimeter check. Barn appears to have no bogies in sight, tree.” He looked over his back. “Clear.” He put his leg back down as his liquids were properly disposed of. The dog ran to the end of his house and around it in record time. “House is clear. Perimeter secure.” He put his focus back on Penny who was staring at him with a big smile, oooh that beautiful smile.

“Bolt! Perimeter check.” She ordered. He barked his answer, proudly. “Good boy.” She knelt down and ran her hands through his fur, Bolt jumped up onto his hind legs and rested his arms onto her shoulders. He covered her face in saliva before she could stop him.

“Aah, Bolt! You goofball.” She squealed as she wiped her face with the sleeve of her light blue shirt.

“I am not a goofball. You are the one who-” Bolt stopped mid sentence and perked his head. He stayed as still as a statue, his black nose wiggled crazily as he took in the new scent.

“Okay Bolt let's get back inside. The clouds are starting to look bad.” She lightly pushed him off and began walking towards the house. Bolt took a step back into the yard.

“Is that? No, yes! Is that a-”

“Bolt, come on buddy!” Penny called from the patio. Bolt looked over to her briefly before sweeping his gaze back to the yard. He took slow steps back to his human, as he scanned the endless yard and fields in his sight. They slipped away from him as he stepped onto the patio.

“Perimeter compromised.” He spoke lowly.

“What was that!?” Mittens called out boredly.

“Nothing!” Bolt answered, his ear tips heated up as a blush covered his face. “I didn't think anyone would hear that.”

Soon after they stepped back inside, a big crack filled everyone's ears. Then the rain started to fall. The droplets slipped the whole, “sprinkle” part and went right to the downpouring. At least the wind isn't too bad...never mind. The house groaned under the stress of the wind but it held. Penny was back upstairs studying, oblivious to what's happening outside. The animals of the house were back downstairs doing their usual thing, Rhino and Mittens had the tv while Bolt was sweeping the house.

“Come sit your fluffy tail down dog, you've been pacing around for an hour! Your making my head spin.” Mittens yelled out, hoping to get his attention. Bolt flicked his head over to her and contemplated the thought in his head.

“No can do mittens. I must continue my mission.” Bolt spoke as he went into the kitchen.

“Lighting Strike is on.” She cooed. She heard Bolts claws stopping tapping the ground.

“Fine. I'll pause my mission...for now.” The Canine ran back over to the living room and jumped onto the couch, making sure to not bump into Rhino.

“Called it.” Mittens whispered to Rhino.

“CaLLeD iT.” Bolt mimicked. Rhino turned his attention to the two.

“Shush! I'm trying to watch.” Bolt smiled at him while Mittens shook her head. A loud clap of thunder shook the house, causing Mittens to jump in her place.

Bolt and Rhino looked at each other for a second before looking back at her.

“If you two say anything I swear on my claws I will cut you.” They stayed quiet.

The white shepherd was the first to break the silence. “I’m hungry.”

“Nice to meet ya hungr-” Mittens started

“I'm going to get Penny.” He Interrupted by jumping off the couch, not before swatting Mittens playfully in the muzzle with his fluffy tail.

He made his way to the stairs and ran up the twenty or so steps, they always seemed to take the wind out of him. The bathroom door was open so she wasn't in there, he took a left and spotted her white closed door. Bolt went up to it and sat on his rump. “Penny hello penny! I’m hungry.” He called to the quiet human.

He heard her utter some words that her mom would have scolded her for before she opened the door.

“I'm sorry Bolt! I've just been so busy, with my work and-” Bolt stood up on his hind legs and rested his front two on her hip, letting his long tongue flow out and lick her to quiet her words. “Thanks Bolty.” She sighed and made her way to the stairs. “Now, who wants to eat!” She yelled out loud enough for the others downstairs to hear. Bolt heard them jump and roll off the couch respectively.

“C’mon Bolt let's go fill your belly boy.” She ran down the stairs with Bolt chasing after her. The groups meal consisted of some doggy kibble, cat food, and for Rhino...hamster food. Penny was reheating a pizza as she spoke up to anyone who was listening.

“It's cool not having Mom around, right guys?” She pretended they all agreed. “The whole house to ourselves, just great. Good thing she went to the movie conference. I mean don't get me wrong it's amazing and all but I don't want to be in the spotlight again, Bolt you feel the same way right?” He barked his approval. “It sure as heck beats school though. Half a year left guys that's it.” She finished her monologue as the microwave beeped.

She took her slice and sat on the couch for awhile with her little family, up until Rhino yawned. Then Mittens did, Penny copied her, and finally Bolt followed them. “Yeah me too guys. I'm going to go up to bed. Turn the tv off when you're done alright Rhino?” He flipped a paw at her. Penny leaned down and kissed Bolt on the forehead and gave Mittens a scritch on her side before going back upstairs, the feline shivered in response.

“Thanks again for teaching her our names.” Rhino yawned to the dog.

“Eh, it was easy. Just drop a pair of Mittens on Mittens and open up the children's book in the basement for you. A rhino was on the first page.”

“Good point.” Rhino responded.

“Have a good night guys, I'm going to go upstairs with Penny. See you guys up there” Bolt jumped off the couch and started to walk away.

“Try to not fantasize about Lightning strike tonight please! I don't want to wake up to my fur covered with your-”

“GOOD NIGHT!” He yelled abashed as he ran away.

“I apologized for that cat!” He whimpered as he flew up the steps two at a time.

He made it to the top of the platform full speed before sliding into the wall with a quiet thud, he shook his head roughly and ran into Penny's room. She was putting away some papers before turning off the light.

“I knew you would come sooner than later. The others still downstairs?” Bolt barked as she stopped talking.

“Thought so. Okay buddy, how about we-” CRACK! Thunder vibrated the walls and floor of the house.

“Woah! Did you hear that!?” Penny ran over to her window and looked at the black sky, flashes of white revealed the heavy rain that was pelting the house.

Bolt jumped up onto her desk chair to get a better view, bringing him to her chest height. Penny rested her arms on the window sill while bolt rested his head.

“I don't think I've ever seen rain hit this hard Bolt.” She gasped in awe. Bolt nodded in agreement. They watched the shifting landscape for awhile. Both were mesmerized at the force of Mother Nature. Bolt was merely content being next to Penny. “Okay time for bed, the shows over.” She yawned out, stretching her arms as she collapsed onto her bed. Bolt let her get comfortable before jumping up next to her. She was lying on her side, so he went to her front, turned around three times and finally laid down next to her. Sleep came easily after that.

Drip, drip, drip, drip. Bolt flicked his eyes open. Drip, drip...drip. The dog went to roll over when he felt a heaviness in his bladder. “Jus’ ignore it.” He mumbled. Drip, drip, drip. Bolt stared out the window, a few rain pellets kept sliding onto the glass, not helping his situation. The storm has cooled down, but it was still a storm. The canine stood up and winced as his body shifted. “Psst Penny. Penny!” He nuzzled her lightly.

“Go back to sleep Bolt, it's still night time.” She turned to her other side. He pushed his snout against her back again as he let out a whine.

“What, need to go out?” She mumbled quietly. Bolt whined in response. “Okay boy let's go.” She sighed and got up, following the dog downstairs. Bolt zoomed to the back door, which was much closer than the front, waiting for his human to open he contraption. As soon as there was a crack in the door, he slipped through it and ran only a few feet away before relieving himself.

“Ooooh thankyouthankyouthankyou.” He moaned as he finished his business. He ran back to Penny but stopped to shake his now soaked fur dry. “Okay Penny let's go back to-” Bolt's body stiffened up, he tilted his head in the air. His nose began to wrinkle.

“C’mon boy. What's the hold up?” Penny spoke loud enough over the rain. Bolt smelt the same thing as earlier but much closer.

“Penny! Uh, intruder intruder!” He barked loudly. None of his training prepared him for this. An invasion on his home turf.

“Bolt what are you doing are you nuts? What are you-” She stopped as she finally stared at what Bolt was barking at. A dark shape, lying still on the ground was roughly thirty feet from the door in the middle of the yard.

Penny immediately ran over to it with Bolt hot on her heels. She crouched down over the mass and picked it up in her arms. The lifeless dog wasn't even shivering. Wait dog?

“P-Penny? What are you doing? Penny! Are you bringing them in the house!” He yelled after her as she ran inside, he reluctantly closed the door behind her. “Penny what if he’s rabid? What if he has a disease? What if-”

“Bark! Bark!” Penny ignored Bolts calls and ran to the bathroom tub, lightly dropping the form onto the white bottom and turning the handle to hot.

By this time, Bolts ruckus woke Mittens and Rhino who was running to them from the couch.

“Bolt bring me my phone.”

“Bark!”

“Bolt bring my phone.” She squealed and flicked some water onto his face. He took a step back and assessed the situation.

“Look after her while I'm gone.” Bolt grumbled to the others as he ran upstairs to get his humans toy. He found it on her nightstand and shoved it into his mouth, trying not to choke on it the entire way back down. He dropped the device at Penny's feet. The tub was a quarter of the way filled now. The mud from the dog started to dissolve off of them.

“Thank you Bolty.” She grabbed the phone and started dialing a number. “Hey Mom, I’m having an issue.”

Bolt took his position next to Penny to watch the dog lying lifeless in the tub. “No! How could you think that?”

Bolt listened to her yell at Mom.

Mittens padded next to him and rubbed against his side. “No, Mom I'm not….no, no condoms involved. I have a dog, that's not Bolt, dying in the tub.”

“Uh mutt? Do you have a plan for this?” Mittens pointed to the unconscious occupant.

“No, not at all.”

“Yes your tub! It's not up a flight of stairs like mine is! Ruining it is the least of my concerns right now.” Penny groaned.

Bolt was idly listening to her as he waited for the dog to make a move. Penny finally ended her discussion a few minutes later.

“Okay I will, enjoy the rest of your trip. Bye. Yes I'll call you and tell you how everything is in the morning. Bye. Yes the doors are locked. Bye.” By this point Penny was banging her head on the tub. “Okay love you too, bye.” She set the phone down and stared down into the tub with a blank look on her face. Bolt nuzzled her side.

“So the nearest vet is like two hours away in normal weather. And they don't come pick up the animals.” Bolt already put two and two together, Penny doesn't have a car yet.

Mittens spoke up to Penny. “So what? You mean we have to do this on our own?”

“So we have to do this on our own.” Penny told them, oblivious to what the feline said. She reached into the warm, close to hot, water and turned off the faucet with her free hand. Penny began to rub the mud off of the still unconscious dog.

“Penny! Be careful, you don't know what he can do.” Bolt barked to her but she easily ignored him.

“Don't be jealous boy, you're still my hero.” She flicked some water onto his pure white coat. Bolt jumped back and started shaking his fur.

Penny started to work more aggressively into her patients fur, getting rid of the mud that caked onto his upper body. She grabbed for the shampoo that rested on a small shelf in front of her and applied a generous amount into the tub. Bubbles and strawberry started to waft into the air, Bolt bit at the ones that got to close to him.

With most of the debris gone, the dog was revealed to be a German Shepherd...clearly male. He looked like any other shepherd one would see just with a lot less meat and fat on him, his eyes were an uncommon bright shade of green instead of the usual brown however. Wait eyes...eyes!

“Penny he's awake! Penny!” Bolt barked.

“Jesus Bolt you need to calm down. No need to get jealous.” She looked at him then saw his serious expression, then she looked back at the dog.

“You're alive! Oh thank god.” She sighed to the ceiling. “It's okay boy you'll be alright. We will take care of you.” She gently pet his side. If he heard her he didn't indicate it.

When she finally finished cleaning him she let the dark gray water sliver down the drain. “Towel Bolt?” She stuck out her hand and waited for Bolt to bring the cloth. He did. She tried to dry the dog as best as she could, but Penny didn't want to take any chances with the now conscious shepherd. “Can you walk buddy?” She asked somewhat tiredly. It had to be about 2 am right now.

“Can you stand up?” Bolt asked him, the dog fell asleep in response.

“Great. I mean, at least he’s light. That’s a problem we can solve for another day.” She bent down and picked him up as easily as possible. “Let's take him to the spare room it's only a few rooms away from ours. I'll put up a fence to keep him in.” She told the others as she carried upstairs and into the room that has never been used. There was a simple bed that was at the center of the wall opposite of the door, a dresser to the right and a closet on the left.

Penny pulled the covers to the side and pulled him under. Leaving only his damp head exposed. He almost looked peaceful. “Be right back guys.” Penny told them as she left the room. Bolt watched her leave as him and Mittens jumped onto the bed.

“So wags, how do we go about this?” Mittens asked quietly.

“I’m clueless. Rhino?”

“Do we have access to a mind control gun?”

“Forget I asked.” Bolt sighed, a smile turned the corner of his lips. The un-super dog took a step closer to the stranger, his nose twitched in search of any hints of what or who the dog was. The scent of his shampoo overpowered everything though.

Penny came staggering into the room, holding the wooden gate and setting it up at the door. It was about waist height for her, easily a foot taller than the animals. “Hey Mittens do you think he can jump?” Penny asked her feline, pretending that she'd hear the response.

“_Yeah I thought so." _ Mittens raised the pitch of her voice.

“Yeah I thought so.” Penny responded. Bolt’s tail wagged at the interaction. She gave one last look to the German shepherd, he hasn't moved an inch. “Okay guys come on. We’ll check on him in the morning.” She picked up Rhino first and placed him outside of the gate, Mittens padded up to her and waited her turn. Bolt kept his gaze on the dog, he took a step closer until his nose was only a few atoms away from the others. “Let's go Bolt. Let sleeping dogs lie and all that.” She groaned as she lifted him up and out of the room. She glanced back a final time before turning off the light.

Penny didn't see the green eyes staring back at her.

Bright morning light found its way through the window, illuminating the room enough to start waking its inhabitants. Bolt was the first to open his eyes. The dog laid still for a few moments before standing up and letting out a yawn mid stretch. He placed his paws carefully so that he wouldn't step on Mittens or Penny. He looked to his left to see Rhino asleep in his gigantic cage, AKA, the Rhino cave. Bolt didn't bother trying to get the hamster to rename it. He jumped off the bed, his claws clicked loudly as he landed on the floor, wincing at the noise but still going. “Mission parameter, check on prisoner.” He yawned to himself.

Bolt went down the hall and looked into the room, the dog looked to be asleep but was in a different position. Bolt looked around for a way to get over the fence. He looked right and into the second bathroom. “Bingo.” He whispered. Bolt came back seconds later with a step stool being dragged from his muzzle. He placed the white plastic thing down and stepped up the two stairs, finally jumping into the room. He looked back to see his obstacle behind him, “Victory….but how will I leave? Thoughts for another time.”

Bolt jumped up onto the bed and kept his distance, who knows what this dog could do. Bolt laid down on his belly but kept attentive for any movements. The dog just kept still, other than his chest moving from his breathing. “Good idea Bolt.” He scolded himself. Now he's got nothing to do. Bolt rested his head down and let his thoughts drift away. Well, we all know how that goes when one is on a nice comfortable bed.

Bolt snapped awake when he woke up again, as if realizing that he fell asleep. The dog wasn't on the bed! Bolt snapped around to look for the-oh. Bolt got out of his fighting stance to look at the Germans shepherd who was curled up in a ball in the corner of the room; eyes staring wide at his counterpart.

“You're awake?” Bolt gasped, his jaw was dropped. His tail was flailing behind him. The other dog just nodded, fright was spilling into his scent. “I-I’m Bolt. What's your name?” He was about to jump off the bed when the other dog started to whine. “I'm sorry! I don't mean to scare you. Look I'll back away.” Bolt demonstrated by jumping off the other side of the bed and laying down on the ground, peeking at the dog from under the bed.

“See you don't have to be afraid.” Bolt laughed lightly, trying to hide his own worry. The German shepherd stopped whining, a few shivers still wracked through him though. “What's your name?” Bolt asked again. The other dog started to contemplate the question.

“Sam.” He replied in a whisper.

“Sam! Sam, great.” Bolt’s body started to move in tune with his tail. “Nice to meet you Sam.”

Sam didn't reply.

“Me and my human found you in the yard, uh we tried to help you but um. Well, your breathing. We've tried everything.” Bolt stammered, unsure of what to say to the silent dog. “I'm going to call for her alright. Don't be nervous, I promise you I won't let you get hurt.” Sam idly nodded, looking away from him shyly.

“Penny! Penny! Penny!”

“Bark! Bark!”

“Wha- huh. Bolt! What's wrong?” Penny groaned, as she pushed herself off the bed. Mittens was rocketed off of her leg and landed on the floor with a thud. Penny didn't even notice as she ran towards the howling.

“Thanks Penny! Just what I wanted.” Mittens squealed after her.

The girl stopped at the doorway and stared at Bolt. He was sitting in front of the gate looking quite accomplished, his tail was still wagging a mile a minute.

“This is Penny. She's the one who carried you and, well, brought you back to life.” Bolt nodded toward her. Penny stepped over the fence and rubbed Bolts head frantically.

“Good boy. Great job.” She cooed softly before turning to the cowering dog in the corner. She took a step forward but the dog bared his teeth. Bolt jumped in front of her as a shield.

“Sam I promise she won't hurt you.” Sam spared a glance at him but his fight or flight mode was off of the radar. Penny knelt down and went to her knees.

“It's okay Bolt. He's just scared, aren't you boy?” She softly spoke, crawling an inch closer.

Bolt stayed right next to her, lowering his tail between his legs. Penny continued inching forward until she was only a few feet away, Sam was still against the corner as she stopped and sat on the heels of her feet. “Okay boy, can you come to me?” She asked.

Sam’s eyes darted between the two. He stayed still for a moment before moving closer, only to jump back to where he was. “Bolt can you think of anything?” Penny asked the mutt.

He lowered himself down to his stomach and started to crawl to Sam, keeping his gaze away from the dog all the way until he was at his paws. Bolt could feel Sam's breath on the top of his head. Sam sniffed at him for a moment, unsure of what to do. Bolt felt something wet flick across his head once.

He turned his gaze higher to see Sam giving him a small nervous smile. He was still shaking, but not as hard. “Hi.” He whispered, his strong voice was weakened by a gruff sick covering.

“Hi.” Bolt stared up at him, losing his thoughts in Sam's verdant eyes. Up until he heard Penny breathe behind them. Bolt looked away quickly, feeling his own embarrassment swim over him. He gently stood up until he was sitting next to Sam. They both looked away from each other, unable to meet each other's gaze.

“This is uh, this is Penny.” Bolt gestured to the girl with his head. Sam looked at her quickly and gently walked over to her with the grace of the wind.

He sat back down again and let her run her hand through his fur, Bolt thought that he saw his tail wag slightly before stopping himself. “Good job Bolt.” She looked at Bolt briefly. “Hiya boy, nice to see you alive.” She spoke as gently as she was petting. “Are you hungry?” Sam’s stomach growled wildly at the thought of food, loud enough for him to be even more embarrassed. “I thought so.” Penny giggled before standing up. “I'll be back.” She told them before leaving the room.

The two dogs stayed silent until Mittens came up to the gate. “Bolt, how’s Fabio with cats?” She asked mid tease.

“Fabio?” Sam cocked his head at Bolt.

“He’s- never mind,” bolt shook his head. “You don't mind cats right?” Sam shook his head left to right.

“If he attacks me I swear I’ll cut you.” She warned as she jumped over the gate as if it were no problem.

“Show off.”

“Doofus.” Mittens shot back to Bolt.

“So wagless, how'd you come to be here?” She asked.

“Mittens! You can't just-”

“What? Ask him a question after you two saved his life?” She mewled, raising an eyebrow at him.

“I just think it's rude.” Bolt pouted, huffing out a breath.

“So?” She asked again. Sam stayed quiet...again. Luckily Penny came in then to save him.

“Here boy.” She plopped down a bowl filled with dog door and another with water. Sam immediately ran over to her and wolfed down the food, sounding like a feral animal. He didn't stop until the bottoms of both bowls were revealed. His muzzle was soaked at this point. Bolt looked away respectfully. Clearly noticing that Penny let Sam use HIS bowl. Not that he minded though, too much. “You have a name boy?” Sam looked at her quizzically, Bolt smiled and barked. Penny spoke every letter of the alphabet until Bolt spelt it out.

“Sam?” She asked. The Shepherd jumped and dropped his jaw.

“You know English!” Sam barked at Bolt in amazement.

Bolt felt more than a blush spread through him. Pride? Yeah, pride. “I know the alphabet, I can't SPEAK it of course.” He scratched the back of his neck with his hind paw nervously.

Penny was oblivious to what they were saying. “You have no collar, no ID what so ever. Did you have an owner?” Her questions were cut short when a familiar ringing sounded. “Shoot, Mom! Can't I just have one minute with you?” She ran out of the room again. Everyone watched her leave. Except Sam, he was still amazed at Bolts talent.

“Did you have a person?” Bolt asked, cocking his head at him. A horrid taste entered Sam's mouth.

“An owner yes, a person no.” He spoke with no emotion.

“But-”

“I don't want to talk about it, please. Please just, don't ask me again.” Sam whispered. Mittens and Bolt looked at each other and came to a silent agreement though their motions.

“Okay.” Bolt conceded. The Shepherd shook off his bad tone and went back to his nervous, semi hysterical self.

“Can I, uh, go relieve myself?” Sam asked no one in particular.

“Oh, uh of course. Penny! Penny!” The human came running back to them, phone still up to her ear. Bolt raised his hind leg, mimicking the well known gesture.

“He won't run away right?” All three of them looked at Sam. He shook his head.

Once they made it downstairs, Penny opened the door and Sam ran right out.

And right up to Bolt’s tree.

“So Bolt, what do you think?” Mittens shouldered his ribs as she sat next to him.

“I'm not too sure. He seems like a nice dog. Even if that's my spot.”

“Nice enough to live with?” Mitten’s voice raised a bit.

“To live with?”

“Like penny said, he has no ID, and from the way his ribs are poking through his chest plus the way he acted around us, I don't think his owner is gonna come for him.” Bolt stared at her blankly.

live with? He might live with us?

“I don't think he’ll _live _with us.”

“It's us or the pound, and the pound won't keep him long.” Bolt was about to respond. “Kill him, not get him adopted genius!” Bolt stared at the ground. Mittens turned her back to him and started walking away. “Don't screw the pooch on this Bolt, figuratively and literally.” She finished as she walked back in the house.

Bolt brought his gaze up and watched Sam starting to walk over to him. “Very funny cat.” He told himself quietly.

“Huh?” Sam asked, his left ear was perked to the side.

“Nothing, sorry. Just talking to myself.” He answered as he let Sam go ahead of him and into the house. Bolt paused momentarily to look away from the haunches of the dog in front of him to see the yard behind him. “Perimeter secure.” He announced as he walked inside.