Chapters | The Dog House Animal Crackers

Chapter 3

It had been weeks since the last meeting of the gang transpired. You know how it goes— "so much to do, so little time to cat around" as Tommy was fond of saying. We had left our last meeting without anything resolved regarding our Momma's coming out. It was just such a volatile issue and no one was really sure which way to tackle it, given it impacted all of us. This time, though, we felt sure we'd figure something out.

"Okay, everyone. It's time for another decision-making meeting," Missy said. "Is everyone here?"

No sooner had she picked up the dog-bone gavel than the neighbor lady's miniature Pomeranian burst through the door, screeching at the top of her little lungs—

"Come quick! Hurry! There's a dog fight and I think it's your brother, Reno, in the middle of it!"

We all made a mad dash out the door, Tyler and Grady taking the lead with Missy not far behind. Fur was flying, and sure enough, there was Reno right smack dab in the middle of it! Fangs bared and a growl deep enough to rattle one's bones was emanating from his throat. Squaring off with him were two mangy mutts who, despite their best efforts, were getting the sh— ahem, stuffings kicked out of them. In the midst of all this, a small ball of black fur was desperately trying to extricate itself from the jaws of one slobbering mutt. Reno, it appeared, was attempting to rescue the little furball, as well as stave off sneak attacks by the other mutt.

With reinforcements appearing in the form two Dobermans and a fiesty Rat Terrier, the thugstook all of two seconds to rethink their horrible attack, dropped the furball, and fled the scene.

Missy sprang to action! She rushed to the mangled mass of fur and nudged it with her nose. It didn't move.

"We've got a problem here! Whoever this is, it's hurt! We've got to get it home and quick!"

Grady stepped up to the mass of blood and slobber, turned it over and gasped, "It's my little kitty brother, Tucker! Those big bullies hurt my bubby!" In anguish, Grady began to howl and moan.

"It'll be okay, Grady. We've just got to get him back to the house, that's all, and Mom will take care of him," Tyler reassured him.

With that, Tyler gently picked the kitten up in his mouth and they started towards home. But one member of the troop didn't move.

Reno.

A low moan came from his mouth. He had been hurt! Shooing the others on, Missy rushed back to his side, nudged him, licked his face—anything to make him wake up! Finally, after an eternity it seemed, Reno opened one groggy eye!

"Is . . .kitty . . . okay?" He gasped, struggling to speak.

"Yes, Reno. You were so brave! Are you all right? What happened?! You were out for a minute!"

"Yeah, I think I'm okay. Just took a hard knock from one of those dang mutts. Snuck up behind me and hit me right on the head. Damn stupid dog!"

Missy supressed a smile. In his younger days, Reno would have whupped both those boys with his eyes closed, asking "who's your Daddy?" while eating a few doggie snacks.

"Reno, tell me what happened? You HATE cats! Why were you defending Tucker?"

"Well," Reno began. "You're right, Missy. I do hate cats." He smiled, then struggled to his feet, shaking his massive head. "But, if there's one thing I hate more is someone who talks trash about our Mommas. I overheard those two mangy mutts talkin' about Tucker's Momma. I guess somehow, through the grapevine, those two bullies found out that Tucker's Momma was gay and they decided to teach him a lesson for having a 'fairy momma' as they put it. I just happened along in time to keep them from tearing him apart. Poor little guy just didn't stand a chance against those two."

Missy took all this in. She thought of how much discussion had already went into their own Momma's coming out and how serious they had been taking the decision. Now they were seeing real-life repercussions happening right in their own neighborhood. All because someone was being honest and true to whom they were. She shook her head sadly.

"Well, Reno, I have to say, I'm damn proud to call you my brother for standing up to those idiots. Now we've just got to pray that Tucker makes it through this bashing. Turning towards Tyler and Grady, she said, "Come on, big boys, let's go . . . we have a life to save!"

To be continued...

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapters | The Dog House