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"It's Just Another Day to Me."

_He kept gazing at the clock. The hands just reached 10:00 am. The day wasn't going to stop for him. He got up from his seat, turned to his window and gazed at the town of Havor he had come to love. His Neighbors and their little tikes were out and about. Enjoying this nice day... The kids were out in the street and lawns playing ball and other games with one another. Their folks hang out at their porches, some by the streets. They laughed and cheered. Their day proceeded well, for him and his little companion... it has just started.

He turned around and spotted his pup in the hallway. He yawned and rubbed his little eyes. He smiled. "Morning, Little one!" He greeted and kneeled down to pat his head. The pup wagged his tail steady and smiled back at him.

"Good morning sir," he replied.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"Yeah... I did." the pup replied.

"Glad to hear!" He reached down, lifted the boy, and gave him a big hug. He kissed his forehead and laughed. "So I got to ask. Do you know what today is?"

"Is Mrs. Jenner coming over for our weekly meeting? I love it when she comes. She's always so nice to me." The man carried the pup over his shoulders and set him down on the counter. He reached into the cupboard and brought out a bowl. He smiled and laughed, "Yeah... She'll be coming over. Mrs. Jenner is a lovely woman. I do enjoy her company too. But that's not it." He answered and continued to make something for the pup. The dog slid down the counter and took a seat on one of the chairs. "What else about today is special?" He asked again and prepared a bowl of oatmeal for him.

"It's not my birthday. Or is it?" The pup thought for a second and shrugged. "I don't know really, My folks are no longer here. I don't even remember them. All I have to remember them for is this collar. It doesn't say too much about me. All it said was Scrap. Do you ever think this was a silly name to give me?" He looked up at his companion. Scrap saw he was staring at the clock while he stirred the bowl. He shook his head and turned his attention back at his pup.

"Not at all." He shook his head. "I think it's a cute name. As I always told you... 'Scrap' could nickname or short for something. Besides, I wouldn't change it at all. Mrs. Jenner loves the name too."

"Yeah, I guess your right!" Scrap smiled. He brought over a bowl of oatmeal for his little one. Scrap thanked him and started eating the bowl with haste. "You make the best dishes sir." He mumbled and gulped down the food.

"I'm glad someone likes my cooking." He chuckled. "Do you give up?" He tried to bring up the question he asked before.

Scrap didn't answer but kept chomping down his meal like the hungry dog he was. He sighed and gave up. He grabbed a chair and sat in front of him. "Can you believe it has been a year already when Mrs. Jenner had brought you in my life?"

Scrap gasped but coughed off some of the oats back. "What! Really?!"

His companion let out a big smirk and then a smile. "Indeed it has." He replied and then reached over to pet the little pup's hair. "Right around this time. Mrs. Jenner burst through that door and handed you over to me. Honestly, I didn't know what I was doing. The first few months were a hand full."

"I don't think anyone does." Scrap interrupted. "But you did a great job with me. Hope I was a good boy.... wasn't I?"

"Hehe. Not at all Lil one." He said and ruffled his hair. Then scratched the boy behind the ear. "You were such a good pup. Any family would love to have you as a member."

"Yeah." He smiled and wiped his face. He finished eating and brought his bowl to the faucet and cleaned it. Scrap looked at him, spotted him looking at the clock... again. His paw gripped, squeezed, and twisted a rag. "is something the matter?"

He looked at Scrap and chuckled softly. "No, nothing at all. I'm just... well... um..." He slapped and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry... I just lost my train of thought." He blushed and let out an embarrassing smile. Scrap shrugged and thought nothing of it. He went back and continued to clean his bowl. "Scrap."

"Hmm--" He suddenly felt his two arms swooped around him and picked him up. He gave the little mutt a big, but a tender hug. "Thank you... for all that you've done."

Scrap smiled and his wagging tail brushed along his stomach. "Your welcome. Thank you for taking in someone like me."

"Hehe. You're very welcome. You know what! Let's make today something more official." He said and put Scrap down. He kneeled down to his sight. "I know you don't remember exactly when you were born, but that shouldn't stop us from celebrating. So tell you what. From here on out. This will be your day. From here and until the end of time. This day will be more than a celebration of our meeting, but a day to celebrate for you as well. I don't know what day Mrs. Jenner had picked for you, but you can tell her that today will be your birthday for now on."

Scrap gasped, but couldn't come up with the words to say in this situation. Instead, he jumped and hug his companion dearly. "I don't know what to say..."

He hugged him tightly. "You don't have to say anything. Just... keep being you, you silly mutt." He chuckled. Scrap laughed too. He hugged the pup for a while and sighed happily. The clock's ranged. Both of them gazed at the clock. He sighed, "Well... it's time, Lil one." He patted his back and stood up.

"Time for what?" Scrap asked. He watched as his companion reached for his coat and put it on. Scrap's tail lit up and wagged happily. "OH? We are going out. Okay! Hold on. Let me get--" He raced to his room, but suddenly was stopped. He reached and grabbed his arm.

"Sorry my little one." He shook his head. "Not this time."

"Hmm?" Scrap tilted his head. "Something the matter?" Usually, he always took him along to his outings. Scrap doesn't mind that he has to wait. He always has a good book to read while he waits for his pal. His meetings don't take very long. Afterward, They usually hang together. Either at the park or at the library. Never once he told Scrap, "Not this time."

He picked up Scrap and plopped him on the couch. He kneeled down to meet his gaze. "Nothing is wrong, my little one." He said and petted his hair. "There are just some things I need to do. Something very important. This time you can't come with me, but I swear to you it won't take long. Once I return we'll go out and celebrate together. It will be my treat." He smiled and then kissed his forehead. "For my special boy." He said.

"But... But..." Scrap rebutted, "Why is this one so different. You always drag me along. Aren't I, your good luck charm or something? I don't care if the meeting is boring or stupid. I'll be a good boy... I promise. I won't fuss, groan, or whine.--" He plopped his hand down on Scrap head. Petted him slowly; then, going behind his ear and scratched them. He knew his dog instincts would kick in and calmed him down.

"I know... I know Scrap. But this time. I have to take care of it, myself. You'll just have to trust me on this." He assured the pup. "I'll be back before you know it! Just stay here, don't leave this house till I come back. You understand?" Scrap nodded. "If Mrs. Jenner comes before me... well then you can hold it against me." He stood up and headed for the door. He walked passed the window, Scrap looked at him and waved goodbye. He waved his big paw and left in a haste. The pup leaped from the couch and gazed out into the window, but he was gone. "See you soon... sir." Scrap said softly.

1 PM. had just passed, no sign of his companion anywhere. Scrap peaked out the window once or twice to see if his friend had shown. To no avail, no sign of him anywhere. The neighbors hadn't changed. The kids were still playing around. The other adult furs were doing their thing. The kids gazed towards Scrap. The waved and he waved back. They gestured for him to come. It looked so inviting, but Scrap couldn't go. Even though his paws twitched, his eyes darted over to the door, he stood strong and fought the temptation. He thought and repeated his friend's words, 'Just stay in the house till I come back...' "I can do it! I'm a good boy!" He told himself. "He'll be back... He promised."

Scrap's belly started to make an uncomfortable noise. He rubbed his stomach as it groaned more. "I'm hungry..." He sighed, "Surely there something here." He walked into the kitchen, got a chair, and looked in the cupboards. Oddly enough... nothing was there. He grabbed the oatmeal box but found it empty. Not even a crumb left in sight. He checked the other cupboard, but nothing was there. Not even the bowl he used this morning. "You got to be kidding me." He groaned and slammed the cupboard's door. He got down and looked in the fridge next. He opened it, felt like hurling, a funky odor rushed out, and greeted his strong nose. "Ewwww...." He coughed and shut the door.

He inhaled, until his cheeks were as big as balloons, then opened the fridge again. Hardly anything was there. A few scraps of food and some leftover stuff from yesterday. He sniffed the scraps but pulled back immediately. Whatever funky stench the fridge emitted, came from the food. He checked the leftovers. It seemed decent, but not that appetizing. He groaned and let out a big sigh. It was his only option, but at least he wouldn't go hungry. Now he wished his friend take him along. At least then they would have gone out for groceries.

The meal wasn't great, but it stopped his stomach groans. It didn't matter! The meal tonight would be all worth it when he comes back. Scrap had to hope for it. Though his friend had never let him down... even when he didn't mean for it to happen. He had been a good caretaker, better than anyone else Mrs. Jenner had to introduce. Scrap knew Mrs. Jenner knew best, but she didn't always choose the best pick. Her picks only lasted from a week to months, one time just a day, and Scrap was back in her care. It broke her heart when the families she thought and trusted would bring him back. The aftermath talks were the worst. Sometimes she couldn't even muster the words. Though Scrap told her he understood.

That was a half-lie. Part of him wondered if he was the cause. No family ever gave him an explanation. Even when he saw them in the streets they acted as nothing had happened. That feeling only kept growing as the years go by; however, he was different.

He didn't turn Scrap away. He stayed by his side. He was the best. He wouldn't let Scrap down.

Panting and groaning, the day decided to stretch out its time. Seconds felt like long minutes. Minutes felt like hours. The sun's beams shine down through the window. He looked at the clock, but it felt stuck. It hadn't moved an inch since the last time he saw it. Keeping himself distracted, He gets up and goes to his room. Picked up his favorite book. Sat on his bed and began reading. He shoved his snout into the book, didn't even want to gaze out the window.

he peaked a few times out the window, nothing had changed. Every five or ten seconds he would keep gazing. Expected to see his friend arriving or at least knocking on his window. Still nothing... He hummed a tune to tune out the distracting thoughts, but it didn't work. Scrap kept looking out the window more than reading his book. He sighed in defeat and closed the book. The pup didn't even manage to make it past the first five pages. He groaned and rubbed his face. "I thought he said his meeting would be short. Where is he?"

Scrap walked up and smooshed his snout against the window. The kids were gone, probably back inside with their families. There was no sign of Mrs. Jenner anywhere. Scrap thought for a moment and realized that he was never told when she would be there. He only said that he'll be back before she would arrive. He let out a sad groaned and walked away from the window. He looked around the house, mostly clean but there were a few messes here and there. His companion was usually an organized person. He would have gotten on the pup's case if he spotted a mess. "I should clean this up... before Mrs. Jenner comes. Because I'm... a... good boy." His words felt bleak and defeated.

It was passed at 3 pm. The day was nearly gone. Mrs. Jenner or... him, haven't shown up. the pup stopped peaking at the clock and continued to tidy up the house. He folded his clothes, made his bed, put away anything that was left on the floor. Though... there was hardly any mess, to begin with.

This day should have been happy. He and Scrap would have been at the park or someplace around town. Just... having fun. Scrap didn't care what they did as long as they were with each other. But why was today different? Why did he keep looking at the clock! What was so special about today than any other day.

Scrap smiled as a funny thought suddenly popped. There was probably a funny story that happened. Yeah... that was it! Or!... Or!... Maybe he decided to go and grab a cake to celebrate his... birthday. Something funny could have happened... that's probably why he's taking so long. That has to be it. Once he comes home... he'll tell him all about it. They'll be laughing about it till the next day and onward.

The sun had reached the trees in the mountain. The temperature outside dropped down a notch. A draft blew a cold breeze in the house. Scrap felt a cold chill run past his fur. The chill was so bad, he almost lost a step. He gazed around the windows, they were all shut and locked, but did he leave one opened? No... He knew they were all closed. He double-checked when he was cleaning the house. Maybe he had finally returned. Instead of going through the front door, his friend probably decided to go through a window to surprise the pup. Though why would he do that? He knew Scrap isn't too keen on surprises. He would have jumped in the air and land back in his arms. The breeze continued to run and brush his fur around. It felt like it was coming from his companion's room

His fur tingled as he approached his room. The breeze slipped through the bottom of the door. Was the opened? Scrap was sure that he probably closed it before he left.

He reached for the knob but pulled his arm back. He never ventured into his room. Only when he was in there. Never by himself. Scrap had this rule... "Never go in the head families' bedroom. He always got scolded for doing that. The other families didn't like that; they always assumed he was up to no good. So He decided not to go in his caretakers' room unless they tell him. Or they grow to trust him. That doesn't happen. He's always back in Mrs. Jenner's care.

It was nice when he did invite him to come in. It wasn't a big room, but still a nice comfy place.

He reached for the door again but pulled back. "No... I shouldn't." He told himself. He watched the door, the draft blew more air in, making it look like the door was breathing. "It's just going to bug me if I don't," he commented. the door let out a big inhale, it pushed out, it looked like it would snap. The pup reached again for the knob. He turned it. It clicked. "Just close the window... don't touch anything else," he told himself. The door opened and announced itself with a big. EEEERRRRR. Scrap spotted the window through the crack. "Okay... let's do this." He opened it and went in, but now he wished he didn't.

"Wha-what?" He stuttered in disbelief. The room opened up; however, nothing was there. The room was empty... as if no one was staying in there, to begin with. That couldn't be... He clearly remembered seeing him in this room. There was furniture in here. There was a bed. Where he and him spend time together. Cuddle together as he read him books. Even... taught Scrap how to read. His dresser was there no more. Where he spent most of his time figuring out what to wear, but always left dressed very proper. The last thing, his desk, had disappeared. The many nights and days he spotted him working on, Heck even fell asleep on top of. It was no more. That desk was heavy. Scrap and he had to work together to move it. Scrap would have noticed if someone tried to move. But there was no evidence or signs. No scuff marks or traces of dust.

"This... This..." He stuttered and whimpered. "C-C-Can't be right." Now he wept. Scrap stumbled back out of the room. tripped on his own two feet.

"OW!" He groaned, rubbed the back of his head. Opened his eyes, his jaw dropped. The door had vanished. He got up and ran to the living room, but stopped in his tracks. Whatever happened in that room had spread to the living room. All the furniture was gone. The couch, rug, coffee table, pictures, etc. had vanished. The walls started to shake like an earthquake was happening. The clean, light blue wallpapers that covered the room, withered and shredded away, like old paper, in front of his eyes. "WHAT'S GOING ON!" He screamed.

The floor trembled next. The clean light blue tiles sprouted a thick layer of dust. Certain tiles cracked and shattered like it was a frail piece of glass. The dust spread out and covered everything like a virus working its way through the body. It slid under Scrap, he lifted his paw and confirmed it.

The pup raced to the kitchen, climbed on the counter, yipped, and cried as the unexplained changes swooped to the next room. The clean windows cracked and then shattered. He covered his face, but none of the shards shot his way. The dust swarmed to the refrigerator. It quickly engulfed it. The fridge started to rock back and forth. The light inside flickered like crazy before exploding out. The door came undone and slammed on the floor, making the pup jump back. The leftovers, still inside, spilled out its content. Though it aged like the rest of the house.

The dust crawled up the counter. Scrap let out another yip and jumped over the dust layer. He landed on his feet and ran to his room. His stuff was still there, thankfully. He shut the door and backed away. Fled to the corner. He cried for help, but no one came. He barked his name. He didn't come. Scrap looked over to the door and screamed. The door withered away into nothing. The dust entered his room. He cried and yipped, fearing he would too disappear along with the house. He howled and whined his name again. No avail. The dust opened his closet, ate away all the clothes his caretaker had gotten for him.

Scrap gazed at his bed. Suddenly a memory flashed. "This is yours my little one." He said in a calming voice. "For me? I don't have to share it with any other?" Scrap replied.

"Of course not. Everything in this room is now yours. Dresser, clothes, books, and games. Even this--" He picked up the pup and plopped him on that bed. He patted his head. "--This comfy bed is yours too." Scrap was speechless, but he reached over and hugged the man.

"Thank you, sir..." "Please... Call me--" That last part was a blur. He doesn't remember the rest.

"He gave me this room." He cried. "Why are you taking it away..." he howled and whimpered, "I was happy... with him. He was my... FAMILY!" Scrap shouted.

The dust had stopped, never even reached Scrap. His room was empty, along with the whole house. All that was left was the scrap clothes he used to wear.

Dawn peeked over the hills. Crept gently over the town, alerting all to the new day. Families and other furs began their normal routine, unaware of the erratic changes that happened to their neighbor the day before. They set their goodbye and took off to start their day. The kid's road their bike down the street. One stopped for second at the house. She tilted her head for a second. Wondered if this old creepy house, with high tall grass and a weird atmosphere it gave, had always been here. Could this be the house, normal folks tell their kids to stay away from? Though the thought left her as her friend called her to catch up.

The sunlight gazed through the broken windows; illuminated the now empty, old shack filled with old broken tiles and withered, colorless wallpaper. No sign of anyone living there.

The sunlight reached the pup's room. He sat down in the corner. Huddled down a fetal position. The sunlight greeted the little pup. Toasting him up with its warm embrace, but he didn't feel any warmness. The birds outside sang their normal morning melody. Scrap groaned and slowly rose his head as the singing continued. Immediately he was greeted by the shiny light. He groaned and raised his paw to cover his eyes.

"Hello...?" He called out. Tried to stand, but his legs wobbled like jello. He stumbled but caught himself against the window cill. He looked around his room. "Anyone...?" His voice echoed through the hallway, but no answer came back. He took another step but was greeted with many pins and needles. "Argh..." His damn foot was still asleep.

His eyes went up. Hearing the doorknob shaking and turning. Could it be? He finally showed up? Scrap's tail wagged with excitement. He jumped out of his room, Ignoring the pins and needles. "Ugh... I can't believe this." She groaned. His ear lifted up even more. He recognized that voice anywhere. It was Mrs. Jenner. She finally came! He couldn't be anymore happier that a familiar face had finally shown up! "God... this stupid door! Why can't I ever open this damn thing!" She groaned and growled.

After a few shakes and twist the arctic fox finally heard a click. "Finally--" The door broke off its hinges and slammed onto the floor. She jumped back and screamed. Scrap yipped and back away. "What the hell?" She exclaimed and barged in. She gasped and dropped her bag. The contents spit out like a popped water balloon. She raced to the kitchen, her face turning more pail than her arctic fur. "Scrap?!" She said. "SCRAP!"

"Mrs... J-Jenner?" The fox turned around and spotted Scrap standing in the hallway. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. Her tears rubbed against his cheek. He didn't hold back the tears. He cried as much as her and tried to hug as tightly too.

"Oh my god... Scrap. Thank god you're alright." She said and wiped his tears away. She gazed around the house. "Wha-What the hell happened here. Where is--"

"He went out... because he had a meeting.--" He struggled to say. "--H-He said he'll be back before... You... come." The pup's voice started to break as if he was in very big trouble. "He told me... not to leave the--" Mrs. Jenner stopped him there. She tightened her hug and petted him down to calm the pup.

"Scrap. Listen to me... This is not your fault." She assured him. "Don't cry. It's my fault for putting you in his care. I... I can't believe he did this, but why?" She looked around the house, knowing it was nothing like this. She sniffed but shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Come with me. Don't look back, you hear me?" She continued to pet him. "Well, figure something out. Okay?!"

Scrap didn't say anything. Mrs. Jenner put her coat over him. She gathered her things and walked him to her car. Scrap looked around. Spotted the neighbors looking. Their faces were no longer happy-go-lucky as they were yesterday. All they had were fears and worries as if they never have seen Scrap before. It wasn't a feel the pup like.

_

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He took a big gulp from his water bottle and let out a hefty sigh. "A lot of years had passed, you know..." Scrap commented. He's no longer the pup he was. Most folks call him a mutt now. He thinks people call him that as an insult, but he doesn't mind it. Takes it as a compliment now. He takes another drink from his water bottle before replying again. "You know... After that day, things didn't get better for me. Not to say it was so bad. I mean, no one kept me as long as you did. I think now, my staying situation became more of a community thing rather than one family. After you it was: the Meritts, then Hyinos, the Varsons, etc. You get the idea. Not one single family ever wanted me. Mrs. Jenner, bless her heart, she never stopped looking, but after a while, when I turned 18, I told her stop--"

Scrap's ears raised. He looked towards his left, spotted one of the new neighbors leaving his house. He looked Scrap's way and snorted rather loud. He got in his car and drove away. Scrap sighed and looked back to the car. His former neighbor stayed the same. Some families had moved, some new had come, but there was one or two that stayed. though their relationship between them had changed drastically. Their looks and grunts they give once he returned to the neighbors aren't very welcoming. They now see him as a pest rather than a person. One folk even, had the audacity, to chase him off his "property" with a broom. Called him a "Mongrel," of all things. Funny... that man was so nice to him.

The neighborhood looked alive with colors and melody but compared with his former home the years haven't been too kind. The grass hasn't been kept. The weeds look like bushes and trees. The long grass reached to the window. Looked like a rural jungle and you'll need a machete to travel through.

Scrap returned his attention back to his home. took another drink. "--Anyways, where was I? Oh yes. When I turned 18, I told Mrs. Jenner to stop. I was tired of seeing her get hurt. So I told her to help me find my own place. And she did. She even got me a job at the library. You know me; how I love books. Hehe..." he chuckled softly and then ceased. "So that's it." He took another sip. "You're all caught up. I'm 26, I have a decent job, despite that I have to do other odd jobs to keep my home. And I'm on my own and I'm managing. People still give me, "the look" and calling me "mongrel," that hasn't change." He shrugged. "But what can you do. I just got to keep smiling and hope everyone will accept me."

He took a long drink and finished his bottle. He sighed great. "Mrs. Jenner is doing good by the way. She is busier than ever, but you already knew that. I still see her around..." he sighed deeply, "Yeah..." Scrap sniffed and wiped his face.

He looked back at the house. A part of him expected that his caretaker would come out. Spot his pup and rush over. They would both hug tight and he would apologize for everything. No avail, no one came out of the home. Every year it was the same thing on this date. He would come by, sit on the curb, sometimes on the porch, He would expect his former caretaker would appear. He never does. Scrap sighed, "Why do I bother telling you what's going on. I've moved on, but I've kept coming back. I don't even remember your face or your name for that matter. For fuck sakes, I'm 26. I'm not going to let this hold me back. My life starts now. you hear me! " The mutt stood up., he walked over to the home. "Forget you, this is the last time you'll see me here! YOU HEAR ME!" he shouted and toss his bottle over the tall grass. It crashed along with the other bottles he's thrown. he huffed and panted. He sighed and walked down the block.

He mumbled softly, "Happy Birthday to me. Who am I kidding? It's just another day for me.

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