From Chapter Eight:  The sheriff drove out to our place as quickly as he could to give us the news.  I could hardly believe my ears:  Ring had escaped and was on his way home--home to me.  We had a little party that evening and decided Ring would be home in just a few days.  But we were a little off with our timing.

Later in Chapter Six:  I finally found a little peace for myself when I decided that all the crying and misbehaving would not bring Ring back, for he was gone somewhere else.  But I knew in my mind that Ring was in a dark place that he couldn't get out of.  I also knew there was nothing I could do to help him out of that bad place.
One night I had just moved into my window as the echo of the owl was fading out when I heard a wolf howl up on Wall Creek.  I thought, "Ring is coming home!"
While I was convinced Ring would soon be home, circumstances were making that impossible for the immediate future.

     From Chapter Six:  " I called Ring a few times and whistled for him while Queen stood there watching me and whining.  Queen moved over by me and went to licking my face.  That's when her message got through to me--Ring was big time gone!!  Dad wanted to make me go on to school that day, but Mother took my part and I stayed at home.  I heard Mother tell Dad that even if I went to school, I wouldn't hear a word.