There was mist on my breath the day you came. They had hosed out the cages but the smell of fur, fear and urine lingered in the air. None of us liked the hosing. It left us feeling like hens after the fox has paid a visit. Sophie came to release me and my mood lifted. I loved the time I spent with Sophie playing on the grass in the sun. But we walked past the grass towards the main building. I became confused and uncertain. We stopped next to an Alsatian. She was a bitch and she smelt good. She was confident with her age and size and strength and the smell signaled it all. I approached her majesty for a sniff. She growled at me and I withdrew. I circled her and she ignored me. Sophie started to talk to you. You both seemed relieved. It was a test that I had passed. Sophie gave me a hug and then you led me away with the bitch. You took us to your car and made us both get in the back. I kept a safe distance from her. You drove for some time and whenever I tried to move forward to see where we were going she growled at me. At last you stopped and we were both retrieved from the car. You took us through a gate and through a door and then released us. She walked away without showing me any interest. I was enraptured by all the new spaces and smells. I had never been anywhere like this. I had to explore everything immediately. Could this be where I belonged?