Percy was unhappy. Once again he'd had to chase that blasted raccoon away from his food. This time, though, he had stumbled and fallen, and the ring-tailed thief had somehow managed to tie him up while he was stunned. It was worse even than being on a leash! His hind legs were tied together and his forepaws strapped firmly to his sides.

Behind him he could hear the thief snarfing up all his food. It did not take long, for Percy had been nearly done with his meal before the raccoon showed up.

The pug wriggled in his bonds as Meeko appeared in front of him once more. The raccoon, too, looked unhappy. There had not been much to eat. Then a sly gleam appeared in his eye, and he reached out to grip Percy by the cheeks.

The pug watched in confusion as Meeko yawned. As the raccoon's narrow muzzle creaked impossibly wide, Percy had a clear view into a tunnel-like gullet. He growled in annoyance as the raccoon showed him where his food had gone. The ring-tailed thief was a showoff and not as funny as he thought he was.

Then the raccoon's paws pulled him forward and Percy realized that Meeko wasn't showing off at all. He wiggled desperately as the raccoon's maw engulfed his head, but in he went just the same. With four paws gripping him and stuffing him farther and farther into the raccoon's throat, Percy was struck by a last insightful thought.

Maybe he should have shared with the raccoon after all.

*****

I'm back from Oklahoma and here's a little strip I drew on the way. It's nice to have my good art pad again instead of that Bamboo I had to use while I was gone.