Hunger strikes like a kick in the gut. The Collie's stomach growled, aching and just dying for food. How much longer would she have to go without food? Lyla was not one to steal...it just was not in her personality. And she was not one to beg either. She was raised as a show dog! Lyla should not have to beg! She finally broke loose of the rotting rope when she could no longer stand being hungry. How she wished Fortuna was with her now. Surely the Samoyed fem was as hungry as she at the moment. Food...a gift from heaven. The growling of the stomach...the sweet reminder that life still thrives in the bones of Lyla. She may be skinnier than usual, but that would change momentarily. Right now, food was calling to her. She could smell it, just beckoning her closer. She followed the wonderful scent to the restaurant district. To the Bistro.

Ah! The sweet smells of meat, noodles, sauce, and such! What Lyla would not give to be a human and eat those fantastic foods without having to feel guilty about it! Humans seemed to be at the top of the food chain around here. They always had the best food. The ones Lyla knew never went hungry. In fact, many of them were so fat that they could not even move. Lyla could not believe that one could actually eat too much. Especially a human being. Surely they knew when to stop eating. Surely they knew when they'd had enough. So many times, Lyla had been proven wrong. In fact, even her old owners were rather obese. The male, Lyla thought of him as the alpha, seemed to be always eating. Plus, after the humans ate their meals, they gave him first helpings, and if there were any left, he was given the opportunity to eat those, as well. Spoiled, lazy, human being who did nothing but sit in his recliner and watch the television all day and eat chips, cookies, fruits, and whatever else he could get his hands on.

And Lyla, the best-in-show dog, had to eat nasty, plain, dry dog food. How she hated the stuff while she was in that house! But now, Lyla would give anything to have it back. At the moment, Lyla would eat almost anything. Well, anything besides bugs. They disgusted the Collie immensely. Lyla pushed the thoughts of bugs away and walked slowly up to the kitchen door of the Bistro. She sat, putting on her best puppy eyes. Her pink tongue hung out of her mouth, and her tail wagged behind her. Please, please give me food! Lyla begged inwardly. She waited patiently for several minutes but then began to worry. What if no one came? What if she died here on the doorstep? All the what-ifs crowded her mind, colliding into each other as if a battle were going on in Lyla's head. So many of the thoughts were falling, crashing with another, before standing and attacking once again.

Lyla was pulled away from her thoughts when the sound of the doorknob twisting reached her ears. The door opened to reveal a man, his white clothing stained with food from the kitchen. His black hair was tangled, just a few curly strands sticking out from beneath his tall, white hat. He looked at Lyla, frowning, mumbled something, and shut the door. Lyla waited. She was a very patient dog, but when it came to food, the collie was not as patient as usual. The human returned with a bit of meat on a plate. He set it down on the step, scratched Lyla's head, and then went back inside the Bistro. Food at last! Maybe Lyla would not die on this doorstep. Maybe she would live another day. With the hope of tomorrow in mind, Lyla started to nibble on the meat which was placed in front of her. This, by far, had to be the best food she had ever tasted. Not because it was meat from a restaurant, but because it was simply food. She was fed when she was hungry. And for that, Lyla was grateful.

Lyla
Until you say there will no more good-byes
I see it in your eyes
Tomorrow never dies