Thunder Dog: Book One

By Paula Prior

On a stormy night, a young dog (Rosebud) and her owners are in a terrible car accident. As dark waters overcome her, Rosie is unexpectedly comforted by a brilliantly glowing woman. Is she an angel? Just as quickly, Rosie returns to earth in a flash of lightning, only to find herself being taken to the local dog pound.

Six year old Lily hates the constant bullying she suffers daily at school. When her parents finally agree to pull her out and give home school a try, Lily's over the moon. But Daddy has another surprise in store for her: A trip to the local animal shelter.

When Rosie meets Lily the pair become inseparable. But Lily soon learns that's there's more to Rosie than meets the eye. Her special brand of magic not only marks the beginning of a lifelong friendship, but ultimately saves the day in more ways than one.

This is a novella of approximately 13,485 words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Homunculus
• Release date: Jan 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393785095

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COPYRIGHT

Homunculus

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Thunder Dog: Book One. Copyright © 2021 by Paula Prior.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Published by Homunculus

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Editors: Homunculus Editing Services

Cover Design: Theo Prior Design

PROLOGUE

Rain sheeted across the windshield, making it hard to see. The car skidded, tires squealing. It pitched over the side of the road, rolling down a steep embankment and into a drainage ditch, where it landed on its roof.

On the back seat, a tawny dog with a black muzzle barked at the elderly couple strapped into the front, seatbelts suspending them above the water gushing inside. Neither of them moved.

The dog strained against her zip-line. If only she could jump into the front, lick their faces, they might wake up.

Above the fierce patter of rain hitting the underside of the car, she heard the slurp and splash of boots wading through mud, frantic voices. There were people outside. Maybe if they could hear her, they would come to save Stacey and Blake. She barked louder.

Over here! Help us!

The water was up to the door handles. Quickly! She started to whimper and howl.

The car shifted, dragged along by the current. Slowly at first, then faster and faster.

There was a loud crash as they hit something, and the car flipped on its side. Glass shattered, and at the same time the zip-line snapped. Her instinct was to leap through the broken window, but she was going nowhere without Stacey and Blake. Cold rain drenched her. The water rose even faster.

Blake was almost completely submerged now. The dog paddled to the front of the car and fastened her jaws on his seatbelt. She pulled and bit and growled, but the belt wouldn’t rip. She dived below the surface, tugging at the sleeve of his pants like she did when she wanted to go for a walk.

Her lungs burned. She came up for air and saw that Stacey’s head was underwater. She let out a peel of barks through the shattered window. Someone, please come!

Did you hear that? a man shouted through the rain. There’s a dog with them. Follow the barking.

The car spun in the water. Her collar caught on something. Her head went under and she couldn’t breathe.

She struggled to free herself, thrashing from side to side. Frantic, she barked, but there was no sound, just a mouthful of water and bubbles all around her. Then it all went still. Her body grew limp, and she felt at peace, like she did before she fell asleep at night.

Down here! the man’s voice said. Quick!

Then she drifted into blackness.

**************

The dog sat in the sunshine, not knowing where she was.

She was dry.

The car was gone.

So were Stacey and Blake.

A blindingly bright woman sat next to her, petting her back.

You’re such a good dog, she said. So brave and so loyal. You didn’t leave them, even when you had the chance. That makes you very special. Too special to leave the world just yet.

The dog cocked her head at the woman. She had no idea who this stranger was, yet she wasn’t afraid of her. Actually, it was just the opposite.

The woman stroked the dog’s head.

I have an important job for you. All I ask is that you do your best. Goodbye for now. We’ll see each other again very soon.

The woman held up her hand. A shimmering ball of light appeared in her palm and grew until it covered them both.

***************

Lightning flashed.

The dog gasped.

Thunder boomed.

The ground around her smelled of smoke and charred fur.

Through the