The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the garden. The trees whispered in the cool night breeze, their leaves shimmering like silver in the dim light. Athena, the sleek, graceful one-year-old husky, sat poised on the back porch, her fur a silvery mix of grey white and black. She was a striking sight, her bi-colored eyes gleaming in the moonlight. One eye shone like a brilliant opal, its nearly white hue swirling with faint streaks of blue, while the other, rich and deep like molten chestnut, glowed with intelligence and keen curiosity.
Her heart was soft, but her spirit was strong, and above all, she was the protector. The leader of her little pack. 
Tonight was no different. Athena’s “Midnight Patrol” had begun.
The husky rose gracefully to her paws, her tail twitching with excitement. She could sense the nocturnal creatures stirring in the garden, squirrels darting between trees, deer grazing quietly in the distance, and the occasional fox sneaking past the hedgerows. Athena took her role very seriously, the garden was her kingdom, and she was its vigilant queen.
But tonight, things were different. 
Behind her, from the open door of the house, a pair of oversized, clumsy paws padded across the floor, followed by a soft whimper. Athena turned her head, her eyes narrowing in mild exasperation as she saw her younger brother, Obito, the goofy, food-obsessed nine-month-old Malamute, bounding toward her. His fur, a striking mixture of black, tan, and grey, looked almost comical against the night sky. His big black face with its tan eyebrows and his long, lanky legs made him look like a puppy in an awkward teenager’s body.
Obito’s oversized paws thudded loudly against the ground as he trotted over to Athena, his tail wagging in excitement. He had clearly decided that tonight, he would join his sister on her sacred patrol.
“I’m ready!” he declared, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. "Let's catch some squirrels, Athena!"
Athena sighed, already knowing what was coming. Her little brother was sweet, but his energy often came with a side of clumsiness. His paws, still too big for his frame, were prone to tripping over anything in his path.
“You're sure you want to come?” Athena asked, her voice soft but firm. She couldn’t help the protective tone that seeped into her words. “It’s not as easy as it looks, you know.”
Obito didn’t listen, of course. His chest puffed out, and he gave a dramatic nod. “Of course, I’m ready! I’ll be the best patroller ever!”
Athena’s tail flicked in irritation, but she didn’t argue. With a deep breath, she started trotting toward the garden, Obito stumbling behind her with every step. The cool night air ruffled her fur as she moved, her every muscle honed for agility. She was the epitome of grace and poise, her eyes scanning the shadows, ears perked for any sign of movement. 
But behind her? Obito was a chaotic mess of fur, paws, and excitement.
He bounded forward, trying to match his sister’s pace, but his awkward legs kept getting in the way. A loud *thud* echoed through the quiet night as he tripped over a low bush. Obito scrambled to his feet, his tail wagging furiously as he shook himself off.
“Oops! My bad! Keep going, Athena!” he called out, his face flushed with embarrassment but still full of determination.
Athena paused for a moment, watching her brother with a mixture of amusement and annoyance. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes as he plopped down in front of a bush, staring at it intently. 
“What are you doing?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m... I’m guarding the bush!” Obito said, his voice full of confidence. “There could be a fox in there.”
Athena’s ears flattened slightly, but before she could reply, Obito let out an excited bark, startling a rabbit from the underbrush. The rabbit darted across the lawn, and Obito leaped after it, his paws flailing in every direction.
“Obito, no!” Athena called, but it was too late. He collided with a stack of garden tools, sending them clattering to the ground with a resounding crash.
Athena facepawed. “I told you”
“I got it! I got it!” Obito said, his tail wagging in a frenzy. He had apparently forgotten the rabbit entirely, now obsessed with a particularly large flowerpot. He nudged it, pawed at it, then knocked it over in his excitement.
“Aaaand there goes the plant,” Athena muttered under her breath.
Despite her frustration, she couldn’t deny the smile tugging at her lips. Her little brother was well-meaning, even if his enthusiasm often led to utter chaos.
They continued their patrol, Athena watching from the shadows while Obito’s antics grew more and more ridiculous. He barked at his own tail. He tried to chase his reflection in the pond. He even managed to fall headfirst into a pile of leaves, emerging with a mouthful of twigs and dirt.
Suddenly, a rustling in the trees broke the night’s stillness. Athena froze, her sharp eyes narrowing as she detected movement, a flash of fur darting between the branches. Her muscles tensed, and her bi-colored eyes locked onto the silhouette of a squirrel, its fluffy tail flicking as it scurried along a low branch.
Athena’s heart raced. There was no time for hesitation.
This was her moment. She had to act.
With a swift, fluid movement, Athena launched herself forward, her paws silent against the ground as she darted into the shadows. She was a blur of speed, her body agile and sleek as she moved through the garden like a shadow of the night.
Behind her, Obito let out a yelp. “Wait up, Athena! What’s going on?”
Athena’s ears flicked back briefly in irritation, but she couldn’t slow down. She was closing in on the squirrel, her eyes locked on the target. She could feel the wind in her fur as she made a sharp turn around a bush, her breath coming faster now. She was mere inches from the squirrel’s tail.
The squirrel paused for a split second, sensing the danger. It darted up a tree, climbing higher with lightning speed. Athena was right behind it, her paws scraping the bark of the tree as she leaped, stretching her body toward the branch.
But at that exact moment, a loud crash echoed behind her.
Obito had tripped on a root, and in his panic, he had gone tumbling headfirst into a pile of fallen branches. Athena paused, glancing back in frustration just long enough to lose sight of the squirrel. It was already far out of her reach, its tiny body a blur against the night sky.
“Obito!” she barked, exasperated. “This is not the time to play in the dirt!”
Obito’s face emerged from the branches, his eyes wide with excitement and his paws covered in twigs. “I’m helping! I just wanted to get the squirrel from the other side!” he said, his tail wagging happily.
Athena let out an exasperated sigh, but her gaze softened as she looked at her little brother, still covered in leaves and dirt but grinning ear to ear.
“You’re impossible,” she muttered, shaking her head. “But I guess you’re not wrong. You did try.”
Obito’s tail wagged even harder, and despite the failed chase, his eyes sparkled with joy. “Next time, I’ll catch it!”
Athena chuckled, rolling her eyes. “You’ll need to grow into those paws of yours first.”
They paused, catching their breath as the night settled around them again. The squirrel, now safely far away, watched from a distance, its beady eyes gleaming in the moonlight. Athena’s heart slowed, but she couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her brother, so eager and full of life.
With a soft nudge, Athena gestured for Obito to follow her again. She kept her eyes open for the next adventure, her watchful gaze ever alert, but her heart lighter now.
As they walked through the garden, their paws light on the earth, Athena realized that maybe, just maybe, having a clumsy, food-obsessed, but wonderfully affectionate little brother wasn’t the worst thing in the world.
And even if the squirrels always got away, they would have plenty more nights together, chasing shadows and making memories.
Finally, Athena stopped in the middle of the garden, raising her head to the sky. Her alert eyes scanned the surroundings, everything was quiet, safe, as it should be. But as she stood there, she couldn’t help but notice Obito sitting quietly by her side, his wide, brown eyes filled with innocence and trust.
“Big sister,” he said softly, his voice no longer filled with his usual frantic energy. “You’re the best at this. I’m still learning.”
Athena’s heart softened. She sighed and nudged him with her snout. “It’s okay, Obito. You’ll get there. Just... not by chasing every shadow in sight.”
Obito’s ears drooped, but then he leaned in, his big body snuggling close to hers. “I just wanted to help. You make everything seem so easy.”
Athena’s tail flicked as she looked down at her little brother. Despite his clumsiness, he was growing up, slowly but surely. And she would always be there to help him along the way.
They lay there for a while, under the shimmering moonlight, the world around them still. Athena’s eyes remained sharp and watchful, her senses alert to any sign of danger. But for the moment, nothing stirred. It was peaceful.
And beside her, Obito, the big, goofy, affectionate pup, had curled up and was already snoring, his dreams filled with food, fun, and the joy of simply being near his big sister.
Athena, still alert but content, nestled down beside him. She could feel his warmth, his unspoken trust. And in the quiet of the night, with her brother by her side, she knew one thing for sure:
She was the protector. But Obito? He was her heart.

🐾🐾🐾