Suddenly the snow gave way beneath his fore legs and he sank down.

Something wriggled under his feet.

He sprang back, bristling and snarling, fearful of the unseen and unknown.

But a friendly little yelp reassured him, and he went back to investigate.

A whiff of warm air ascended to his nostrils, and there, curled up under the snow in a snug ball, lay Billee.