Grinning at his nickname, showing off the small teeth he really did have, he breathed a sigh of relief as Dad seemed to loosen his grip. Hael was glad to be relieved of his father's embrace, yet he wasn't expecting himself to go flying off of him like that! Within a second he found himself catapulted to the ground, and sitting on his rump with his tail between his legs. In his silly mood, he laughed whole-heartedly at this, and struggled to right himself again. Then, he shot off, in what he hoped could be good enough of a head start to leave Dad in the dust. How cool would it be if he won the race home! Mom would be so proud!

But Dad wasn't about to let him win so easily. As Hael should've expected, Dad was on his heels within seconds, and the kid found himself hopping and skipping to avoid his father's playful nips to the heels as they took off toward the den, laughing all the way. How could Mom be mad at him for wandering off when she saw the two of them in such a good mood? Still, he ran as hard and fast as he could, exhilarated by the wind and by the little adventure he'd just shared with his father.