Dog Origins Part One

Part One

In the days after the Fall of Sanctuary and the defeat of the Dark Sentinel, the forest returned to its former state. The trees were lively again as leaves returned to their once withering branches. A dead forest was now green and full of life and sound. During the Dark Sentinel’s rampage across the worlds many dogs were brought to the land of the Oak. From the oldest to the youngest of pups, they were brought here confused and lost. None of these dogs were allowed to enter the Oak for they were corrupted by the Sentinel when he sent them away. They were allowed to live around the Oak. The entire land was there for them to use, though dangers lurked around every corner. Cats still roamed the forest preying on weak dogs. Boars and bears would rampage and decimate villages one at a time. Reports of elephants running about were rampant in the days before the truce and then there were those birds! They were constantly harassing any animal who got close to the Plains of Rot, adding the poor souls to their collection of horrific towers which covered the plains.

Yet, in the wake of such a time, there were dogs of the Oak who set out to help the poor souls who couldn’t complete their final walk. One such dog was Cody, an old lab who had come to the Oak ages ago from the Sanctuary. He was led on his final walk by Sentinel Eleven and given the honor of being placed near the top of the Oak. So close he could see the wolves as they continued their everwatch of the land.

Cody found that many of the pups congregated in the clearing just below the Oak, and every day Cody would make his way down the massive tree to talk to the pups and tell them the stories of Old. On some days, the spry yorkie, Bella, would join him, but most of the time it was just Cody.

It wasn’t just pups in the clearing. Old dogs and mothers lined the outside of the clearing forming a wall so the pups wouldn’t dance off into the woods while they were playing. Yet every time Cody would make his way down from the tree, a bright light at his back, the older dogs would press in, forcing the pups closer.

Cody made his way into the clearing from the Oak. It was filled with young pups running about. The giggling pups were jumping, rolling, tumbling and running all around while losing balance and sliding into the older dogs. Their tails were high in the air, and their yelps of happiness were sweeter than any music Cody’s had heard. As Cody settled himself at the base of the Oak the older dogs began to gather the pups and bring them closer to Cody.

              A young husky asked, “What story will we hear today?”

Smiling, Cody said, “I think it’s time you hear of how the first dogs were created. What do you think?”  

The pups began fidgeting around, and murmurs of excitement rippled among them as the crowd gathered below—so much so that even dogs of the Oak began to peak their heads out and gather on the branches so they could hear the story Cody was going to tell.

Cody took a deep breath and began, “Well you see there was a time dogs didn’t exist. Wolves either. In those days it was just the Great Trees that stood. Great Trees like the one behind us. It’s said in those days the forest was as bright as the morning sun, but the trees did not sing like they do now. There were no song birds to fill our ears with music, no cats to chase, and no adventures to be had. This made the Trees sad, so they set out to create companions for themselves. The first companion the Trees made came to be known as a Dalmatian.”

The crowd both below and above began to whisper excitedly. Some had heard the story before, but it appeared as though most had not. Cody smiled and looked at all the dogs gathered around before continuing.

“First one of the Great Trees took some clay and formed the body of the dog, and she was pure white. After they formed her body, they found two sapphires from the mountains and placed them as eyes for the dog. Then, they placed gold as her heart and breathed life into her. She spun around and began dancing for the Great Trees. The Great Trees were taken aback by her beauty. Her eyes glistened, and they could see her coming from miles away. She took off through the forest singing. The other trees loved her songs so much they would join in, waving as she ran by and singing once she had left.

On one of her trips she found a small flame in the forest. It was all alone, and she thought the flame might want a friend too. She ran it back to the Great Trees. All the way the forest leaned away from her, trying to escape the flame as it danced past them. When she made it to the Great Trees they were horrified of what she had brought to them and demanded she go to a nearby river to put it out. Confused, she asked why and the Great Tree’s told her that the flame could bring ruin and destruction to everything around them.

Filled with sadness, the first dog slowly marched towards the water. She was careful to keep her head up as she went, ensuring the flame would not jump onto a tree or bush. Still, the forest leaned away from her, not trusting the fire she held in her mouth. She made it to the river, and the fire begged her not to put him out. He promised he only wanted to play a little; he’d never go to the forest, and if he tried, the dog could put him right out!

The dog sighed and put the flame down by the river. The flame bounced off the stick and onto a couple blades of grass nearby. They both laughed, and the flame said, “Isn’t this fun?” as it began to spread to a few more blades of grass. The dog grew worried as it was quickly growing and said it was time to go. The flame didn’t want to leave, though, and headed towards the forest instead.

Several trees erupted in fire, and the dog raced through them to try to make it to the Great Trees before the fire could. It was all around her. Before long, it had trapped her in a cave where she found the first fire. She heard the snapping of branches and crying of the forest.

Soon the fire was gone. The once radiant green forest was left in ashes. Angrily, the dog heard the Great Trees calling for her, and she hung her head as she walked back to them.

The Great Trees gasped when they saw her, for she was no longer a dog of pure white coat. Black spots of ash speckled her. She cried when she saw this and tried to wash it off, but the Great Trees wouldn’t allow it. It was the price she paid for not listening to them.”

Cody paused, looked at the crowd hanging onto every word and then continued.

“The Great Trees sent her to live among the humans in a place called You-Rope. She lived out the rest of her mortal days there. When she passed, it’s said that the Great Trees welcomed her home and even offered to clean her coat so it could be as white as it once was. She refused and said it served as a reminder to all dogs of the dangers of fire.”

The pups erupted in applause, and the dogs above made their way back into the Oak. Cody smiled. Next time, he thought, he would bring some of those dogs down off the branches.

“What’s next?” A young golden retriever said as he was dangling off of his mother’s head.

Cody laughed, “I think next time we’ll go over how you were made young one!”

The pup cocked his head. “Well I’ve never met my father, but mom said—”

Cody cut him off before he could continue. “No, I mean how the first Golden was formed. It’s quite the story! But for now I think you should get some water and eat. I’ll be back soon to tell you all some more stories.”

The pups whined, but did as they were asked; and the crowd of dogs made their way to a nearby stream to get some water.