//------------------------------//
// The Dog Wins 
// Story: Dash vs. Dog 
// by pubbyrot 
//------------------------------//

"I just don't get it," Applejack had fussed one night over supper, pushing an empty bowl of stew aside to stare inquisitively at her marefriend. "How come you don't like my dog, Dash? I figured y'all would get on like peaches."

"W-What? I like your dog!" Rainbow spluttered, pieces of food falling from her mouth.

"Ya like my food," Applejack countered, pointing to Rainbow's third helping, "and so does Winona. Ya don't gotta glare at her. My dog ain't a beggar. She's trained otherwise and been trained for years. You're lookin' at her like she's Old Yeller."

Rainbow looked backwards at where Winona sat. Big puppy-dog eyes looked back. "I wasn't glaring. I just don't like having animals stare at me while I eat. It creeps me out."

"Well that's plain silly."

"It's true! She makes me want to give her grub- the food that's mine. I shouldn't have to feel bad just because she can't go outside, or lie down or something while we eat."

Applejack raised a brow, nearly smiling at Dash's words. "You're saying ya feel… guilty?"

Rainbow shrugged, shoving another spoonful of stew in her muzzle. "Yeah, I guess…"

"So ya like my dog then?"

"I never said there was anything wrong with your dog, Applejack!" Rainbow replied, clearly exasperated.

"That's the thing though. You don't dislike her, but can't seem to claim you like her either. I get the impression ya aren't too fond of dogs."

"I just-" Rainbow sighed and scratched the back of her mane, "dogs aren't really my speed. They're cutesy and cuddly and they like jumping up on everything. I like a pet like Tank 'cause he's really reserved." Rainbow pushed her finished bowl to the center of the table. "I think Winona's a great dog and all… I'm just not a big fan of the begging and barking and stuff. And I like playing with her sometimes, just not all the time. I don't need to get a slobbery ball dropped in my lap if I can help it. It's like you said- I'm not a dog person."

"Not a dog person, huh?" Applejack sighed. She toyed with the rim of her hat for a moment, wondering what she could say to reason with her marefriend. "I uh… I get that you can get pretty particular, Dash. I reckon I can't change that, and I can't be mad about it either…"

"Uh huh?"

"But I'd like to try a little somethin' anyhow, just to see if ya can warm up to Winona a bit. Here… let's clear our plates and go sit in the shade. We can talk over a good cuddle session, how's that sound?"

"Oh, uh, sure thing!" Rainbow replied with barely concealed interest. She shot out of her seat and cleaned her bowl quickly. Applejack chuckled to herself. Dash wouldn't say so, but she was a big sucker for cuddles.

'Not unlike a certain dog', Applejack mused, letting out a shrill whistle just as she and Rainbow began to head out the backdoor. "Here girl!"

Winona followed happily, tongue lolling and tail wagging. Rainbow had the reverse affect, slumping in the air as Winona joined the two ponies on their walk towards a routine snuggle spot.

A large apple tree provided ample shade, with a thick trunk that made for a nice resting place. Rainbow Dash even had a pillow stashed in the branches of the tree, which she placed at its base with satisfaction. Applejack settled down first, with Rainbow pressing into her side and wrapping her hooves around the farmpony's torso.

And then came Winona.

Winona loved snuggling and cuddling, and snoozing. The dog promptly shoved her muzzle between the two mares and wriggled between them in an effort to get cozy. Rainbow Dash squirmed away from Winona, grunting as she tried pushing the pooch from her resting spot. "Hey! I was here first! Get off!"

"Oh c'mon, Dash. Can't blame her for wanting the same thing you want," Applejack pointed out, stroking Winona's head.

Rainbow Dash shifted to be in front of Applejack. "But I'm your marefriend… and she's…"

Applejack gave Rainbow a look. "My dog?"

"Y-yeah well… I just don't like her interrupting us."

Applejack pursed her lip. "Sure. Though I can't think of many ponies who don't think a dog makes cuddlin' better. And cause we're outside, it ain't like she's shedding on furniture or anything. We Apples tend to be pretty strict with Winona. I'd say she deserves a little something like this."

Rainbow Dash's gaze softened as she looked at Winona, "I guess."

Applejack gestured to the right with her muzzle, "Why don't ya join us shug? I reckon it'll be nice."

Rainbow reluctantly went back to Applejack's side, eyes widening when Winona shimmied closer to the pegasus. It was undeniably cute. "Heh. Okay. Hi, girl…" Rainbow said nervously, wrapping a hoof around the dog. Applejack smiled and put her own hoof against Rainbow's- Winona happily sandwiched in between.

"Would'ja look at that… I knew you'd soften in no time."

"I'm not-" Rainbow didn't even try to fight the smile that manifested when Winona nuzzled her head closer to her. "Softening. This is… kinda nice though."

"Hah. I knew it. You and Winona got more in common than you'd think." Applejack careened her head over to press a peck against Winona's head, then Rainbow's cheek.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Besides liking you, what exactly would that be?"

"You're both loyal as can be. You're athletic, never give up, ya love your food, and you're always full of energy. Oh, and when ya want attention, ya come barreling into me," Applejack answered with ease.

Rainbow grinned sheepishly. "You got me there. I guess I never thought about it like that."

"That's what sensible ponies like me are here for," Applejack pulled Rainbow closer with a snicker. "but me and Winona still love ya plenty, even when you're being a darn goof!"

Rainbow smiled despite Applejack's teasing. "Yeah, yeah. Love you too."