This is the thirteenth entry in a series created by brave kid and me, more of which he and I will be working on together in the future.(Pics of this story's characters are also now available on my blog, the Keeper of the Fun blog!) Please enjoy!(BTW brave kid, thank you very much for all of the story suggestions you've given me. I've had a lot of fun working on these stories with you, and I very much appreciate it. I look forward to writing future stories with you.) :)

It's a peaceable day in New York City. The Pound Puppies and Kennel Kittens are standing outside a barber shop with a curly-haired, black and white La Perm cat who's wearing a pale blue dress and a white apron. "Harriet(1), welcome to your new hap-hap-happy home." Cupcake says.

"Oh boy, I'm so excited," Harriet says. "I certainly hope she likes me."

"I'm sure she'll absolutely love you!" Rebound replies.

"Don't forget this, sweetie." Cookie hands the cat a brush, upon which Harriet traipses into the shop.

A lady with short blonde hair is busily trimming a customer's hair inside. "So, I've been looking everywhere for the perfect cat," the barber says. "I've checked pet shops, the internet, everywhere! But so far I've had no luck." Just then, she hears a small meow and turns to see Harriet standing in the doorway. "It's you!" she gasps delightedly. "My perfect kitty! And you've found my brush, too! Oh, thank you, dearie."

Harriet purrs contentedly as her new owner gently pets her curly fur. From outside the shop, the dogs and cats smile and sigh contentedly at this happy scene. "It truly does do your heart good to see pets find their perfect home." Strudel notes.

"I quite agree, Strudel," Ace replies. "There truly is a pet for every person and a person for every pet."

Glancing at her wristwatch, Fluffy notices the time. "Oh dear, it's getting late. We'd better start heading back to the pound before Dot worries."

"Don't worry, folks," Squirt says. "I know a shortcut through that alley over there." The Chihuahua motions toward a dark alleyway; thunder rumbles through the air, lightning crashes, and spooky organ music plays.

Niblet shudders, "Oh no! Not there!"

"Why?" Cookie inquires.

"Didn't you guys see th' thunder 'n lightning an' hear th' creepy music? That's th' alley of doom, home to some of the scariest cats 'n dogs in th' city!"

"Oh Niblet, it's only a rumor." Kugel replies.

"Yeah," ads Ace. "People often make up things like these to drive people away."

"Mmn, I sure hope you guys're right." the big sheepdog replies apprehensively.

Kugel gently holds Niblet's paw. "Don't worry, Niblet. We'll make sure nothing bad happens."

"Yeah," replies Squeak. "We all got each others backs."

"Gee, thanks, guys," Niblet sighs with relief. "You sure make me feel a whole lot better."

The Puppies and Kittens slowly traipse into the alley; a cold breeze blows by, sending shivers up their spines. Suddenly, they hear a voice cry, "Turn back! Turn Back!" upon which they whip around to see a scroungy-looking grey alley cat with a lighter grey snout, wearing a red velvet vest with gold buttons, a matching cape, and a patch over his left eye, standing on an old rain barrel next to them. "Leave this alley now, or you will soon suffer a cursed fate!"

"C-c-c-c-cursed fate?" Niblet echoes nervously.

Lucky is not swayed by this. "We're not afraid. We're willing to face anything!"

"Fine, but consider yourselves warned." the cat replies, as he hops up a nearby ladder.

"M-m-m-maybe we oughta listen ta him." Niblet notes fearfully. "After all, he seems ta know all about this place."

"Don't be afraid, Niblet," Fluffy reassures him. "It's surely just a ploy to scare us off."

As they continue on, the dogs and cats enter a large space where three more shaggy alley cats garbed in witch clothes(One of whom was also wearing a cooking pot on her head) stirring a glowing mixture in a large cauldron, with a small brown rat standing nearby. "Double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble, eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and drool of dog!"

"Ughh, sounds like McLeish's cookin'." Squirt mumbles under his breath.

"Those who intrude upon this place will soon be most unfortunate," the witch cats elaborate. "You may pass for the price of a great big tuna!"

At this moment the one-eyed cat from earlier hops down beside them. "Not one of those canned types, either. Ahi or Bluefin might be preferable."

"Yeah," the rat adds. "So make wit' da tuna now if ya's wanna get outta here safely!"

Niblet quickly turns to the group. "Does anybody got a tuna?"

"Not me." Squirt replies.

"Me neither." Strudel adds.

"I don't have a tuna. Do you?" Fluffy inquires of Ace.

"No, sorry." Ace replies.

"An' I jus' had lunch dis mornin'," Tiny adds. "There weren't no leftover or nothin'."

Lucky turns to the cats with a serious look on his face. "And what do you cats plan to do if we don't give you the tuna?"

"We will place on all of you the curse of...TABOO!" Lightning crashes, thunder rumbles, and suddenly a small puppy appears at the group's feet. He's a small black pup with white paws, eyebrows, and a white snout, wearing an orange t-shirt with a black cat's face on the front. "Hi, folks," he greets the group. "I'm Taboo, and I'm 100% pure bad luck."

"Now his luck will be YOURS!" the one-eyed cat elaborates sinisterly.

"B-b-b-bad luck? *GULP*" Niblet shudders.

Lucky isn't fazed by this. "Uhm, say, Taboo," he inquires. "If I may ask, please, do you know a way out of this alley?"

"Sure!" Taboo obliges. "There's a shortcut this way. Follow me, please." Upon this Taboo leads the group out of the alley and onto a sunny street corner. A very relieved Niblet drops down on all fours and begins to kiss the ground. "Oh, we made it, we made it! After all th' scary cats 'n bad luck dogs it's great t'be outta there."

"Oh, Niblet," Cookie says. "Taboo isn't bad luck."

"I mean no offense miss, but..." a sad look crosses the little black pup's face. "I really AM bad luck. Bad stuff just seems to follow me wherever I go. I've never even had a real home because whenever someone thinks they might like me, my bad luck ruins everything."

Cupcake dabs a tear from her eyes. "Ohh, that's so super-duper sad!"

Rebound consolingly places her paw on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Taboo. There's no such thing as bad luck, and as such, we'll help you find your perfect person."

"Mmn, I'm not so sure about this." Taboo replies apprehensively.

"Well, we're sure!" Patches replies confidently. "We'll help you find a loving family-" he's barely finished his sentence when a nearby garbage can falls over, spilling its contents into the street.

"See? Bad luck." Taboo notes.

"Oh, don't worry, Taboo," Cookie replies consolingly. "It's probably just the wind-" She's no sooner said this when a street cleaner careens by, splashing the group(Save for Taboo himself) with water.

"Oops. My bad." Taboo blushes.

"An' I already had my bath this month." Niblet mumbles.

(1)Her name and outfit are based on those of the poodle barber from the Animal Crossing video game series.