Bill W

Yes, you're correct when you say children aren't born as bigots. I like to quote a song from the musical South Pacific that is titled, You've Got to be Carefully Taught. The lyrics start out: You've got to be taught to hate and fear, You've got to be taught from year to year, It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear, You've got to be carefully taught. There are two more stanzas, but rather than me typing them out here, you should look the song up online. As far as certain religious groups, it's because the LGBTQ+ community is very visible and many of them are also outspoken, so their easy targetss to point to as being sinners, especially in their fire and brimstone sermons. I hope this information helps a little.

It's one thing to know your husband is a shifter and another to have him continually going off to do things with his father and grandfather, such as the runs in the woods and who knows what else, and then have her son end up doing those same things while she sits in the cabin alone. However, if they also do more things that include her as well, maybe she won't feel as bitter. I'm glad you thought the chapter was a lot of fun.

Oh, that looks interesting and I can wait to see it.

Yes, their time with the shaman has come to an end, and they got to meet his son before they leave. It was kind of sad, but it's also a time of joy, because Mac has finished his training and is now a skinwalker. He still has more to learn and he'll also get back to be with his family for a while before he has to return to college. Actually, this is the point where his new life with Devin begins.

Yes, that's how many native peoples refer to and honor the planet.

Are those opossums?

Cousin, uncle, child (legitimate or illegitimate)?

I'm sure it does, Al, and those are two more examples. I don't know how many times I've seen videos on the news of bears foraging in dumpsters on the outskirts of a city or a wolf hunting pets in city neighborhoods, even taking care of some of the strays. Humans keep encroaching on wildlife areas and sometimes the wildlife return the favor. Don't even mention what happens in the suburbs.

Yes, I'm sure dogs get caught in the trap from time to time, but then they're probably taken to the local animal shelter once released.

Thanks for the help, drp.

drp is correct. Even though they are urban areas, they sometimes have to trap a coyote or a young mountain lion or bobcat that are looking for food, which often turns out to be someone's pet. Once they're caught, the animals are generally tagged and taken out and released in a wilderness area.

I'm glad you're enjoying this story and have some idea of what that area is like. It always helps you visualize what's going on, if you have some personal experience with the location or the people. Thanks for the feedback, Albert.

And that's why males with very large members often have difficulty finding a partner. One look and the other person flees for the hills.

The more experienced skinwalkers, like Gramps and Pops can make the transition very quickly. Devin might take a second longer, and Mac might take a second longer than Devin. The familiarity with the object you're transitioning into makes all the difference, that's why Gramps and Pops are able to do it so quickly. It's another case where practice makes perfect. And even though they don't transition like a skinwalker does, it's also what makes a good undercover cop. They can easily become someone else and maintain that identity for long periods of time.

Devin used good sense in not transitioning to release Sorry, I misread the above comment you made. It's been a rough day and the tiredness and vision problems caused my mistake. Yes, Devin was smart not to transition in order to save Bailey. If he had, who knows what might have happened. If nothing else, it would have probably freaked Bailey out.

And he's learning that he has to be more observant when he transitions into a deer or another animal. If the mountain lion had been successful, Devin would have had a tough time explaining what happened to Michael's parents. Once again, thanks for the feedback and visual aids.

Butcher, I apologize. I don't know how I missed this comment when you first made it, but I appreciate the feedback. Yes, Michael was very lucky to have more experienced people around to help him in times of danger. He's just learning, and obviously has a lot more to learn, and Pops (Isaac) has saved him twice so far, with Gramp's (Jacob's) help. Michael is definitely learning that the world is a dangerous place for other species, from both humans (the person with the bow and arrow, animal predators, the mountain lion, and even from beings some doubt are real (the evil skinwalker). Don't forget I've made up much of the backstory, although I've tried to use what I could learn about skinwalkers from reading up on Navajp beliefs and legends. I'm glad you are enjoying my story.

Yes, drp, dognapping is all to familiar in the pet world, and some breeds are more commonly dognapped that other breeds. Some for dog fighting, others for labs, and some just for resale or to be kept as as a pet for the dognapper. I had one of my dogs stolen like that once, after he snuck out of the house. I guess naming him Gandalf didn't help him escape either. I'm not sure why Devin might have been tempted to transition into Bailey, since he was sent to find her. I'm sure everyone in Fort Collins knows Louella and she know everyone else's business. I'm sure that goes for law enforcement as well.

Yes, Devin and Mac have both mentioned that he'd done that before. A common male desire, except for those that are already hung like a horse. Why would these boys be any different, since they also have the ability to make it happen? Thanks for your input, Danilo.

Al, thanks for taking care of answering his questions while I was away. Strange day, starting with me posting this chapter later than usual.

Preston was told that Bear had been trained, and find or seek are common terms that might be used, and Bear's heard Bailey's name often enough to know who Bailey is. So I don't think Preston would be curious at this point. Yes, Devin likes to make himself taller, and on occasion he's also done as you've suggested as well, although he and Mac have both hinted that ,alomg tjat adkist,emt os tptally unnecessary. Thanks for the feedback, weinerdog.

Yes, it was a harrowing experience for Bailey and Preston was very generous with the reward. Thanks for the feedback, Chris.

I'm not sure who you mean by Colin. You may have confused this with another story.

Thanks, Danilo. I'm glad you found Bailey's little adventure enjoyable.

Chapter 06 – Where Did My Little Dog Go? We got up early in the morning and went over to the dining hall for breakfast, and then we made the trip out to the hunting camp so we could run around together. We managed to move quietly through the trees as we headed toward the clearing, so we got to see some deer and rabbits having their breakfast as well. However, they all quickly scattered when we started running around and chasing one another across the field. We were both sad that we’d dis