A shuffling sound from behind caught Tika's attention. Turning around, she saw a big dog with its nose to the ground, sniffing where she had walked. Balling herself up against the step, she peered over the edge, watching the dog.
Their eyes met, and she shrank lower and pulled her ears back flat. The dog crouched low, unmoving, as it stared at the top of Tika's head. They both sniffed the air carefully. The dog inched forward, and Tika's eyes widened. Suddenly a hand scooped Tika up and carried her safely over the dog and back inside.
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