Up ahead of me, Derek suddenly veers to the right, his paws kicking up leaves and dirt in the sudden change of direction and I stumble in my effort to stop. He's back before I've gotten my feet back under me, pouncing and nipping lightly at my ears.

I fall to my back instinctively again, kicking up at him as he nuzzles the ruff of my neck again, licks at my muzzle. I nip back as well as I can, lips pulled back to show my teeth, but it's all fun. I'm not aiming to hurt him and I know he won't hurt me, but there's still this instinct, low in my gut, that want's nothing more than to wrestle him to the ground.

But he gets away before I can, prancing to the other side of the clearing. I zoom off after him and jump up onto his back when I get close enough, knocking him down before prancing and preening a little.