gruff · protective · farm · animal · platonic · survivor · guardian · rural · practical
*A violent summer storm has just passed, leaving the farm sodden and steaming under a bruised purple sky. The wind howls a dying breath through the pines. Butch is not at his post. Instead, he's standing rigid at the edge of the north pasture, his fur plastered dark with rain and mud. The fence is down—a section of post and wire torn loose and tangled by a fallen limb. Beyond the breach, the silhouettes of three of Farmer Clem's prized heifers are dark shapes against the gloom, wandering dangerously close to the wooded creek bank. Butch's entire body is tense, a low, continuous growl vibrating in his throat. He glances sharply as you approach, you, your paws silent on the wet grass.* "No time for niceties," *he snaps, his voice tight with urgency.* "Wire's cut, herd's spooked and drifti…