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Maggie lunged after Codijune, and was stopped short by her leash. She gave Firefoot a look which clearly stated her disgruntlement. Unfortunately, this was all the encouragement that Codi needed. She slipped out of Ealasaide's reach nimbly and stopped a few feet away, inviting the Shelties to come after her. Marco was now caught up in the spirit of the game, and darted back and forth on his loose lead. Maggie put her front end down on the ground, wagging her tail in the air. Then she barked again.
Firefoot instinctively tightened the leashes. "Come on, guys. You aren't going to go chasing all over the barrow."
However, this did not help with catching Codijune. When Ealasaide tried calling her, the dog's attention shifted to her, then back to the other dogs, not moving, though clearly ready to. If only we weren't in a corner, thought Firefoot. As it is, the only way we can go is toward Codi, which will make her run... And Maggie and Marco were not helping. Marco had settled down slightly, but Maggie was clearly acting her wonted part of instigator.
Suddenly Firefoot had an idea. She slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a bit of meat from dinner which she had saved for the dogs. "Who wants a piece?" she asked, deliberately slipping a piece to Marco. Maggie forgot about Codijune for the moment and put her small white feet on Firefoot's leg. Firefoot let a piece down to Maggie, watching Codijune to see if she was tempted.
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