Chapter 3

When we arrived at the pound, Jose opened the back doors. I looked at him.

"Aw! Why so down in the dumps? It is because you're at the pound? Well don't worry, a car won't hurt you here!" He grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and carried me inside.

He opened a cage next to the springer spaniel's and threw me in. He shut it and locked it. He then put the key on the hook and went away. I went back to my sad mood, laying my head on my paws.

"Oh no!" I heard the springer spaniel speak. "He captured you; how?"

"Por favor." I told her meekly, looking up at her. "I don't want to talk about it." I laid my head back down on my paws. "I just want to be left alone."

"Oh, sorry. You're in a bad mood. Perfectly understandable." Tears strolled down my face again as the car and the shooting scenes played in my mind.

"Hey Shakes!" A familiar voice greeted me. I looked out. It was Antonio.

"Oh, hey Antonio." I said back. Before I could go back to sulking, I sprang on all fours. Antonio?! I looked at him in question.

"Antonio, what are you doing here?! Don't you know that this is the pound? You said it yourself; this is doggie jail."

"I'm visiting my owner's father on a surprise visit." I was shocked.

"You live with Jose?"

"Yup!"

"You never told me about it."

"I wanted to surprise you. Course, I never suspected surprising you here. So, how's your dad?" I hung my head.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Aw! Did Jose have to put your ol' dog down? I warned you about this Shakes! I'm so sorry, but that's what's it like sometimes when you're at the pound. It might be your turn someday if you're not lucky."

"Just leave me alone."

"Boy, I'm lucky that Jose and his family took me in when they did, otherwise I'd be a goner like your papi!"

"Antonio, please leave me alone."

"I was just a pup at the shelter and nobody wanted me."

"Antonio…"

"I began to lose all hope, but then I saw Jose and his family."

"Antonio, please…"

"They took me in and I was happy. I was finally part of a family, unlike you

fleabag and the rest in here." He laughed.

"Hey!" The springer spaniel barked at him. "Knock it off! Can't you see he's in a bad mood? He doesn't want to talk!" Antonio stopped laughing and went to her cage.

"And who's going to stop me? You? Ha; I don't think so!" He then puffed out his chest and shook his collar.

"You see what's on my collar? A dog's license. Something you homeless dogs don't have because you don't have a home." He laughed and laughed. I became mad.

"Leave her alone!" I said and pounced, trying to fight him through the bars. He stopped and bent down to me.

"Aw! Are you trying to fight me but can't because you're in that cage? You

poor thing!" He laughed and laughed again as he watched my struggles. "You couldn't fight me anyway even if you could. You're tiny; I'm big; you're no match!" He laughed again. I stopped and sighed. He's right; fighting a big dog like him would be downright stupid.

"Antonio!" A woman called. Antonio stopped.

"Well, that's my cue. See ya later if there is a later!" He went out of the

door.

The door opened and out came a boy followed by Jose and a woman.

"There you are Antonio!" The boy said. Antonio barked deeply, knocking the boy down and licked him all over. The boy laughed.

"Stop it, Antonio!" He managed to playfully shove the dog off of him and stood up.

"So Papi, got any new dogs?" Jose then pointed a finger at my cage.

"I finally got that there Chihuahua. He's been giving me grief along with others, for a long time." The boy bent down to me.

"So, you've been giving my papi grief, huh?" He stood up and looked at his father. "What happened to the others?"

"Well, one of them escaped with him, but got hit by a car and the others all got shot I think. I saw the blood and the police taking the gunman away." The boy gasped.

"Gosh!" He looked at me, then back at his father. "So you saved him!" Jose gave a wicked smile.

"Yeah, I guess I did." I glared at him. Saved me; how? By taking me to the pound to make my life more miserable?

"Well," He continued. "You and your Mama go to the car, I'll close up the pound."

"Okay Papi." He looked at the English Mastiff. "Race you to the car!" Antonio barked his loud bark and was off, racing beside the boy out the door. The woman followed behind. Jose shut off the lights and headed out the door.

As the days passed, people came to the pound to look at us. When I asked the springer spaniel, she said they were looking to 'adopt.' When I asked what she meant by that and she explained, I got excited. I was still sad about my Chihuahua family but I couldn't wait to live with another family! I shook all over with excitement.

Each time that I thought I would get adopted, my uncontrollable shaking got the best of me. Whenever they saw me shake, they shook their heads with disapproval or children would cower behind their parents. I was then sent to my cage. Guess they didn't know that it was natural for a Chihuahua to shake.

A week later, my cage opened and Jose picked me up.

"Well little fella, I hate to do this, but since no one wants you; I got to put you down." My eyes widened. What? Because no one wants me, I got to be put down? No! No! NOOOO! That's totally unfair! I struggled and struggled but he had a firm grasp on me. "I'm sorry, but since no one wants you, this is how it has to be." I barked and barked, making dogs stare. "Come on you, don't make this any harder then it has to be. You're making the other dogs stare." I didn't care though; I just kept on barking.

"THIS MAN IS ABOUT TO KILL ME! IF YOU ALL DON'T GET ADOPTED, THE SAME FATE WILL HAPPEN TO ALL OF YOU! HELLLLPPPPPP! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"

I then saw Ricardo in the doorway.

"Excuse me?" He said.

"Can't you see I'm busy?" Jose told him. "I have to put this dog down, I'll be with you in a couple minutes." Ricardo then looked into my pleading eyes. I could tell he was now thinking hard.

"Wait!" He said. He got something out and showed it to the man. "I'd like to buy that dog; how much?"

"Well, he's all yours." Jose said as soon as Ricardo handed him a piece of paper.

"Gracias!" He responded. He picked me up and headed towards the door.

"You lucky dog." I heard Jose murmur under his breath as he watched me go.

"You know," Ricardo told me as we walked to the car. "I used to have a dog. A pug. His name was Cortez. Man, Cortez and I had some good times together. Good times!" He then looked sad. I whimpered. He smiled and petted me between the ears.

"But he was an old dog when he died. He was only sixteen; 112 in people years."

When we got to the car, Ricardo put me in and buckled me in. He buckled himself in and we were off.

When Ricardo put me down on the floor of his house, he gave me a pat.

"You'll make a fine birthday present to my lovely Isabella." He then got up and walked into another room and picked up a big bag that we bought from a store before we came here along with some dog toys and a leash. I looked around the room, amazed. I had never have been in a human's house before.

I was about to go explore when Ricardo whistled at me. I looked at him, confused.

"Come on doggie!" He said. "I got dog treats for you!" I went to him. He pointed down at a bowl (Which we also bought.) with mini dog bones in it. "Come on, eat up!" I looked at the dog treats.

Now, I had dog before at the pound before and I didn't like them very much. I gave Ricardo a questioning look.

"Go on!" He urged me. "It's dog food. Dogs like you go nuts for this stuff." I looked back down at my bowl Aw, what the heck! Maybe these would be better. I then chowed them down. I then gagged and spat them out; it was dry and gross, like at the pound. These were better then the pound's dog food I must admit, but they were still bad. I couldn't stomach it. I made an apologetic sour face at Ricardo. Ricardo was shocked.

"You don't like it?" He scratched a finger against his chin. "I don't understand it." I went to explore, but not before I lapped some water from the water bowl to get the taste out of his mouth.

Before I left his bedroom, something caught my eye. They looked kind of like a pair of shoes, yet they weren't. My stomach growled. I was a little hungry; I hadn't eaten since the pound. I looked at them again. Again, my stomach growled. I had to eat something or I'd starve. I decided to chew on the shoes; a dog's got to eat, right? Hopefully, Ricardo won't mind. I went over to them and sank my teeth in one. MMMM, this isn't half bad, it felt good on my teeth too. I chewed and chewed. When one was soggy and torn up, I spat it out and moved on to the next.

"Not my slippers!" Ricardo said when he saw me. I looked up at him and cocked my head. Sorry, I was hungry. Was I not supposed to do that? He then snatched the destroyed slipper away from me and glared at me.

"Bad dog!" He looked at it and at the other one. He looked back at me. "They were my favorite pair." I felt bad for him. I stood on all fours and cuddled against him, whimpering. I put on my 'I'm sorry; I didn't mean it. Can you forgive me?' face. He looked at me and chuckled. He scratched me between the ears.

"Oh, I can't stay mad at you. I can always get another pair, no harm done."

Suddenly, we heard a ring from downstairs. I ran to the top of the stairs to see whom it was, barking. Ricardo followed me.

The sound was coming from the door downstairs. I barked and barked. Come on, can't you see someone's at the door! Ricardo chucked again as I kept on barking when it rang again.

"Okay, I'll get it!" He went down the steps and opened it. I stopped barking and wagged my tail, eagerly waiting to see whom it was.

The door opened. There stood Alicia and Roul, the father and daughter from the futbol game.

"Alicia, Roul; welcome!" Ricardo greeted. Roul and Ricardo shook hands. Alicia bent down to me and petted me.

"Hey doggie!" I barked and gave her a lick. She laughed. Roul looked at her daughter.

"Well," He started. "The dog seems to be a real charmer on children."

"He sure is." Ricardo agreed. "He sure is."

"Alicia." Roul told his daughter. "Wash your hands and then you can have a grilled cheese." Alicia bounded to her feet with a happy grin.

"Yay; grilled cheese!" She then dashed to the bathroom.

"Hey, Mr. Garcia-Shapiro?" Alicia asked when they were eating their grilled cheese sandwiches. I laid against her legs.

"Yes, Alicia?" Ricardo wanted to know.

"Why isn't the dog eating? Won't he starve?"

"I tried giving him dog food but he refused to eat it, He did drink water out of his water bowl though. I'll try to give him dog food again when you and your papi leave."

"Okay."

"Psst, doggie!" Alicia whispered to me. I looked at her. She had a piece of her grilled cheese in her hand. She offered it to me. "Here! Quick; before Papi and Ricardo find out." I looked at it. Hmmm, should I? It does look good. "Hurry!" Oh what the heck! I took the grilled cheese in my mouth and chowed it down, licking my chops. Hmmmm; tasty! Alicia patted my head.

"Good dog; you must like that very much; you chowed it right down!" Yes I did! I then cocked my head at her; is there more? She stopped patting me.

"Sorry dog; I can't give you any more. Papi won't like it."

"Won't like what?" I heard Alicia's papi ask.

"Nothing!" Alicia said, She was so surprised by her father's sudden question that her elbow hit the table. When her elbow made contact, her plate went flying and her grilled cheese fell on the floor. I shot out from under the table and began eating it.

"Alicia," Roul said to her firmly. "Were you feeding him a piece of your grilled cheese?"

"No." He furrowed his eyebrow.

"Alicia; are you telling me the truth?" Alicia slumped her shoulders and looked at the ground.

"No."

"Oh Alicia; you know I don't like fibs. You also know that dogs shouldn't have people food, not without permission. Now, apologize to Mr. Garcia-Shapiro." Alicia looked up at Ricardo.

"I'm sorry Mr. Garcia-Shapiro. It's just that I didn't want him to starve!"

"I understand," Ricardo said. "And it's all right; plus he seems to be really enjoying it." He then scratched his chin. "Strange. I never heard of a dog who likes grilled cheese sandwiches." He looked at the girl. "Do you want me to make you some more?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks anyway."

"Then you can wash up." Roul told her. "After that you can watch TV, then it's off to bed."

"Can the dog come with me?"

"If it's alright with Mr. Garcia-Shapiro, it's alright with me." Alicia looked at him.

"Can I, Mr. Garcia-Shapiro?" Ricardo nodded.

"It's alright with me." He replied. Alicia beamed.

"Gracias!" She looked at me. "Come on doggie!" I followed her, leaving Ricardo and Roul to clean the table and the now cheesy slobbery mess on the floor.

I never saw a TV before, so I was surprised when I saw the characters on the screen. I pawed at the TV barking. Hey! There're little people trapped in this box with the lights! Somebody; help them! Alicia laughed and went over to pick me up.

"You silly dog!" She said to me. "That's just the TV. Come sit with me." She sat on the couch with me laying on her lap. I looked at her and cocked my head at her, confused. I don't understand. Those humans are trapped in the magic box. Isn't somebody going to help them out?

Alicia patted me. Contented by the pet, I laid back down. I figured that since Alicia wasn't concerned that everything was all right, but still I wondered.

The next morning, I was awoken with a sudden noise. I sat upright. What was that? It was loud and blaring. I jumped down from the bed where I slept with Alica and went to the door, which was ajar. I opened it with my nose and I bounded out.

I then saw Ricardo with the monster that was making the noise. I barked and barked. Ricardo! Stop that noise; it's scaring me! Ricardo!

Ricardo then stopped the noise. I stopped barking. Oh, thank goodness; you stopped!

"ALICIA!" He then shouted. "Can you settle down the dog? I'm trying to vacuum!" I cocked my head. Vacuum? It that what he was doing? My thoughts were then interrupted when someone picked me up and patted me. I looked to see who it was; it was Alicia. The sound then started up again, I started my loud barks again.

"It's alright, doggie." Alica comforted me. "It's just the vacuum cleaner." I stopped barking and looked at her. Vacuum cleaner? Is that what that monster is called? I looked at the 'vacuum cleaner'. Hmmmm, these humans sure have strange names for these things.

"Okay," Ricardo said as soon as he killed the noise. "We got three hours before Isabella and Vivian gets here. Alicia; have you had your breakfast yet?"

"Yes." The girl responded.

"Good. Now, let's get to work." They then started putting something up. Roul helped too. I cocked my head, wondering what on earth were they doing. Alicia came to my side and placed a cone shaped hat on my head. She had the same hat on her head. I looked at her. What was she up to?

"Okay," Ricardo spoke when they seemed to be all done. "One last thing." She looked at Alicia. "Alicia? Care to do the honors?"

"Sure!" She answered. She then went to her papi who gave her something. I looked puzzled, wondering what it was. She then came back to my side and placed it on my head, near my funny shaped hat. I was more confused then ever now. Can anyone tell me what the heck was going on?

"Isabella will have the best birthday ever now!" Alica spoke, excitedly.' The door rang. She jumped up and down. "She's here; she's here!" Roul put a hairy hand on her head.

"Calm down, Alicia." Alicia stopped jumping. Ricardo opened the door and there was a girl and a woman on the other side.

"DADDY!" The girl shouted, running in her dad's arms. Her dad scooped her up.

"ISABELLA!" Her papi responded. "And how is the birthday girl doing today?"

"Great, dad!" She replied. She then showed him a long piece of clothing. "Look Dad, I'm now an official member of the Little Sparks!" She showed him something that was on it. "I already got my first patch for joining!"

"Oh, that's wonderful honey!" He then looked at her. "How was the plane ride?"

"Great! Because it was my birthday, they gave me a free Apple Juice and free pancakes!"

"That's great! Now, there're some people here that want to wish you a happy birthday." He then lowered Isabella to the floor. Isabella raced upstairs.

"ALICIA!" Isabella cried out.

"Isabella, happy birthday!" She said.

"Thanks!"Roul shook her hand.

"Happy birthday, little lady."

"Thank you!" Isabella then noticed me.

"Awww! You got another dog, daddy? How cute!" She then petted me, scratching me under the chin. "Hi doggie; how you doing today?" She then noticed me shaking. She turned to her father.

"Dad, why is the dog shaking?"

"I can answer that!" Alicia piped in before Ricardo could say anything.

Isabella looked at her. "I learned about Chihuahuas at school. They shake like that because they're excited, cold or stressed." Wow, this girl was smart! Bet if they stick around me, they know that I do it a lot more then a normal Chihuahua! Isabella then noticed that I didn't have a collar. She looked at her father.

"Hey dad, why doesn't your dog have a collar?"

"Well," Her dad started. "Because I didn't intend on keeping this dog." Isabella looked puzzled. She stopped petting me.

"Why?"

"Because if it's alright with you; I was hoping it could be your gift from me." She then beamed.

"Really?"

"What?" Isabella's mom wanted to know. "But Ricardo, I didn't say you can…"

"I know." Ricardo answered. "If you say no, I'll keep him."

"So, I can keep him, dad?" Isabella asked.

"Well, if it's alright with your mother." Her father replied. Isabella looked at the woman.

"Can I mom?" Her mom hesitated.

"Well, I don't know dear." She told her. "A dog is a big responsibility." Isabella stood up.

"Oh, please mom! I promise to take real good care of it! Phineas got a pet platypus."

"I just don't know."

"You don't have to decide now, Viv." Ricardo assured her. "Not when there're gifts to be opened." Isabella's eyes lit up.

"There's more?" She wanted to know.

"Oh, si, there is! You didn't think a dog was going to be your only present, did you? Besides, if your mom said you can't have him, I didn't want you to go back to America empty-handed, not on your birthday."

Opening her gifts, she got something called a 'bike,' 'books,' and 'a bow that matched her clothes'. Afterwards, Isabella's father asked her a question.

"So, where do you want to go?" Isabella thought a bit then had an idea.

"The zoo!" She said.

"Okay, to the zoo it is. We'll have lunch there. It's 11:30 right now, if we get there at noon, we'll have six hours until it closes." Isabella bolted to her feet.

"Then let's go!" I bolted upright as well. Am I going too?

As soon as the latch closed on the fence with me on the other side; I figured I wasn't going.

"Good-bye, dog!" Isabella spoke to me. "I would bring you to the zoo with us, but unfortunately, the zoo staff doesn't allow me to."

"Isabella!" Ricardo shouted from the car.

"COMING DAD!" She hollered at him. She looked back at me. "See you soon!" She then left me, running towards the car.

As soon as they left, I chewed on the tennis ball that Ricardo had left me. I chewed and chewed until it was nothing. I then lapped at my water bowl. My food bowl was also there but I didn't eat from it.

I then yawned. I was growing bored and I didn't know when they'd be back. With nothing to do, I laid on my paws and closed my eyes.

"I'm back dog!" Isabella's voice woke me up. I looked at the sky. It was now dark. I looked at her. "I'll get you out." I stood up as she unlocked the lock and the gate opened. I strolled out. She closed it. I jumped into her arms, making her laugh. She looked at my food bowl.

"Aw, you haven't touched you food bowl." I whimpered and lowered my head in shame. I'm sorry, was I suppose to?

"No worries!" She said. "Dad said your favorite was grilled cheese sandwiches. Come on; I'll ask dad to make you one." And with that, we went into the house.

That night I had a grilled cheese sandwich. After that, Alicia, Isabella and I watched TV. I sat in Isabella's lap after I barked at the TV (I was still certain that the people were still trapped).

The next few days, Isabella and her family did stuff. Most of them without me but some of them with me. I felt sad when they left without me, but felt rejoice when they came back. I had a morning walk before they left and if it wasn't too late, a walk when they returned (I had the leash and collar of Ricardo's old dog, tightened quite a ways.)

Then, one day, Isabella was taking me for a walk where there were bodies of water on either side of us. Alicia was with us and Ricardo and the woman, who I learned was named Vivian. They were walking behind us.

"Careful Isabella," Vivian warned her. "You don't want to fall in."

"I'll be careful, mom." Isabella assured her. "I know I don't have my 'I know how to swim' patch yet."

Suddenly, Isabella tripped on a stone on the stone pier we were walking on. She tried to catch her balance when….SPLASH! She fell in.