The next morning Rocky woke early and immediately went back to work on his project. He was interrupted by a call from Ryder Chickaletta again, but they didn't need him. Once they had left on the mission Rocky returned to his plans. Rocky had decided to go down to the beach again as soon as Ryder and Marshall returned.
In the meantime, Yeshe had awoken and assured that Toby was beginning his meditations. She then walked out to the porch overlooking the bay. She laid near the door so she could hear if Toby called. He would spend most of the day in meditation if he continued his current pattern. She stared at the water and then began looking down the beach. Her eyes caught something near the shore. She stood and looked harder to see what it was. It appeared to be that same gray pup from the day before, but what was he doing?
'And why do I seem to care so much?' thought Yeshe.
Rocky had arrived at the beach and had brought his drawings and some materials he had recycled. He was going to try to build a small prototype of his design. He was sure that with Ryder's help he could build the machine once he had the design finalized. He wasn't paying attention being so focused, but then he felt something. Rocky stopped and looked around. Nothing was going on around him, the crowd hadn't begun to show up for the day yet. Somehow he knew someone was watching him, but it wasn't like he was up to anything nefarious.
"Let them watch," said Rocky as he turned back to his project.
Yeshe was sure that this was the same pup she saw cleaning up the beach yesterday. She began to take a closer look, he appeared to be no breed she had looked up on the trip to Adventure Bay. She now knew there were hundreds of different breeds in the world. Regardless, in her studies preparing her for her role as a temple Mastiff she learned that people of any kind could serve the greater good, it was completely up to the individual to decide to follow their heart or not. She assumed this went with dogs as well.
She continued to watch as he seemed to be building something. He then put it in the water and seemed to control it with a small box. It moved around in the water and then he stopped, pulled it out of the water, and began doing something with it as he wrote something in a little book he had.
Rocky just about had the initial design together. He placed the prototype in the bay and since it was too small to actually ride, he used the motor from a radio controlled toy boat to move the model around. He threw some leaves in the water to simulate trash. It would catch some but pushed other pieces away.
"It's not quite scooping deep enough to catch everything" Rocky said as he maneuvered the model back to within reach. He pulled the model out of the water and began changing the trash he wrote his findings down so he could adjust the drawing when he returned to the Lookout. All of a sudden his collar chimed "Paw Patrol to the Lookout" called Ryder.
"Ryder Needs us" he shouted as he set everything aside and ran toward the Lookout.
Yeshe saw that the pup was working when it appeared his collar blinked. He instantly jumped to his paws and ran away toward the big lighthouse looking place she had seen upon coming to Adventure Bay.
"Huh! I wonder what that was about?" said Yeshe "He ran like it was an emergency, that's strange."
"What are you watching so intently?" said Toby walking out on the porch with a cup of coffee in his hands.
"Oh, I'm sorry Master," said Yeshe "Did you try to call. I guess I got distracted."
"No, not at all," said Toby, sitting down on a chair. "It's been several hours and I needed to take a breather."
"It has?" questioned Yeshe "it feels like I just sat down."
"Nope," said Toby laughing "It's been, let's see, three hours. Would you like to walk to town and maybe try a restaurant?"
"That might be a pleasant change" said Yeshe "Not that your cooking isn't great, but …"
"I know" laughed Toby "The same few things are getting old."
As they walked Toby asked Yeshe again, "So you never told me. What were you watching so intently that you didn't hear me walk up?"
"I, uh, uh…" stammered Yeshe. "I was just watching a pup work on something down by the shore."
"Uh huh," smiled Toby "Why don't you walk down next time you see him and introduce yourself."
"Who?" asked Yeshe knowing it was no use he had watched her apparently.
"You know who," laughed Toby, "the same pup from yesterday that you seem so interested in."
"I don't know," said Yeshe "Maybe if I have some free time and I see him again. But I can't leave you when you're meditating. It wouldn't be right to leave you unprotected."
"Yeshe," said Toby "Seriously, I don't think there is any threat from warring clans here or back at the temple for that matter. I appreciate your sense of duty, but I want you as a friend and companion not a bodyguard."
"But that's my purpose," responded Yeshe "it's all I know how to do."
"Ok, OK," said Toby "Not just my bodyguard. Really it's ok, I'm safe and If I need you I'll call."
"Fine," sighed Yeshe. "If I see him again, I'll consider introducing myself."
"Ah, here it is," said Toby, stopping in front of what appeared to be a restaurant of some form. "Mr. Porter's" the sign read. They looked around and there were a few people sitting at tables around the restaurant. It seemed very inviting. They both walked to the check stand.
"Hello, will that be a table for two?" said an older gentleman that they assumed was Mr. Porter.
"Um, it's just me," said Toby, "I didn't see any signs. Do you allow dogs to come in?"
The gentleman laughed, "You're not from here are you? Dogs, cats, chickens pretty much whatever is welcome everywhere in Adventure Bay. What with the Paw Patrol, dogs have more freedom and are more welcome than people in some cases. I'm Mr. Porter, welcome to Adventure Bay."
"What's this?" said an adult woman walking up, "Visitors to Adventure Bay?"
"Hello Mayor Goodway," said Mr. Porter "I was just introducing myself."
"Greetings Mr. Porter and Madam Mayor" said Toby "My name is Toby, this is my canine companion Yeshe. We are visiting and enjoying a relaxing time away from the busy schedules of life."
"Wow, such a formal greeting," laughed Mayor Goodway. "You can just call me Mayor Goodway. I'd like to welcome you to Adventure Bay as well. We are a small community but big in things to see and do. If I can be of any service please stop by City Hall."
"Thank you Mayor Goodway," said Toby.
Yeshe began to say thank you as well, but stopped realizing it might be strange to hear a talking dog. They still had not met any other dogs. In fact this was the first people they had spoken to. Instead Yeshe smiled and nodded her head.
The mayor said her goodbyes and then left to allow Mr. Porter to seat the two customers.
"As I asked, table for two?" asked Mr. Porter.
"Y-yes please," said Toby, looking at Yeshe and shrugging.
Mr. Porter led them to a table and stepped aside to allow Toby to sit and then pulled out the chair for Yeshe, "Madam your chair" said Mr. Porter.
Yeshe was shocked, a dog sitting at a table. Was this normal here? She looked to Toby who just nodded. She hopped into the chair turning to the table, as Mr. Porter pushed her chair closer to the table.
"Things seem very different than we expected," said Toby. "Everyone seems very accepting and friendly here. I've never seen a restaurant so accepting of dogs. Some allow them to lay next to the table, but I've never seen one allow them to sit at the table."
Mr. Porter smiled and said, "Yes, Adventure Bay is quite different from most places. We have the Paw Patrol, they are quite the little heroes all around the area. We have almost every climate you can imagine within a short drive or flight. The pups are pretty amazing and incredibly polite so nobody thinks twice about treating the pups and other animals around here like we would anyone else."
"So this Paw Patrol, They help out around the town?" asked Toby.
"Oh, they do far more than just help out, " laughed Mr. Porter "Ryder and his team of pups are a complete rescue and pretty much anything you need crew."
"Dogs? You mean they work with handlers? Like police canines?" Toby asked, becoming more and more intrigued.
"First off, what would you like to eat?" said Mr. Porter. "It might take awhile to explain Adventure Bay."
They looked at the menu noting that it had a special section with dog friendly meals. Toby ordered a nice salad. Yeshe sat looking and then turned to Toby looking questioning.
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Mr. Porter "I assumed your dog could order like the dogs here do. How about I make something I'm sure you'll like."
"What do you mean, order like the dogs here, do?" asked Toby hopefully.
"If you've never been around it, it may come as a shock to outsiders," explained Mr. Porter, "but our dogs can speak, drive vehicles, and perform special tasks. You probably won't believe it until you've seen it, but it's true."
"So the dogs around here can speak?" asked Yeshe hesitantly.
"Oh, so you can speak," said Mr. Porter. "Yes, They are amazing if I do say so myself."
"I thought I was something strange," smiled Yeshe.
"Maybe elsewhere, but not in Adventure Bay" said Mr. Porter. "In that case, what would you like? I can make just about anything."
"I still think your choice sounds good," said Yeshe.
Mr. Porter brought their food and as they ate, he explained the role the Paw Patrol played in the area. About that time three vehicles approached and drove by an ATV that was driven by a young boy but the other two vehicles, one was a fire engine, it appeared to be driven by a dalmatian. The other was some kind of recycling vehicle based on the signs on the side, it was driven by the gray pup she had seen on the beach. Toby and Yeshe stared as they drove by.
Mr. Porter chuckled "And as if on cue, there they are. The boy is Ryder, their leader. The dalmatian is Marshall, their fire pup. The other is Rocky, the team recycling pup and fix it pup. I swear there is nothing he can not fix." Mr. Porter named and explained the other pup's tasks.
"Rocky," repeated Yeshe "That's a nice name." She began imagining the conversation if they happened to meet.
"Yeshe," said Toby "How did you like your food? Yeshe? YEEESHEEE?"
"What?" said Yeshe, snapping back "I'm sorry did you say something?"
"Oh goodness," laughed Toby "You reeeaally need to go introduce yourself."
Yeshe blushed, "I said if i see him again, I would."
They finished their meal and returned to the cabin.
Rocky had finished and returned to the project. He was pretty sure he had enough to build a full size prototype. He had climbed into the rear of his truck and was rummaging through looking for materials he could use. I found some plastic barrels that could be used as floats. He found plastic pipe to build the frame, and a couple broken snow shovels for the scoop. He threw all the bits and pieces out on the sand then climbed out.
He had begun assembling all the pieces when he felt that feeling of being watched again. He stopped and looked around. He saw a pup with fluffy black and brown fur watching from the porch of one of the beach cabins. He paused and then waved. The pup appeared startled but finally waved back. Rocky smiled but turned back to his work.
"Well there he is" said Toby "I'll be fine. Go, have fun, meet some other dogs. You can consider it a recon mission to scout other parts of the town, if it makes you feel better."
"I don'.." stammered Yeshe
"GO!" said Toby "If he makes you feel uncomfortable or whatever you can walk back and tell me 'I told you so'. You'll never know. You might meet someone special."
"Oh fine!" said Yeshe, stepping off the porch and walking down to where Rocky was working. She stood watching Rocky build some kind of machine. He meticulously placed each piece and then stepped back to look at his work. He startled and turned to Yeshe.
"Uh hello," said Rocky, just now realizing that it was a female pup that had walked up. "I'm Rocky, I don't think I've seen you around here."
"Hello Rocky, I'm Yeshe" said Yeshe "and no, we are just visiting for a while. I saw you working and thought I'd come see what you were doing. I saw you earlier driving your vehicle. And I saw you cleaning up the beach yesterday."
"Yeah, I. uh I do that a lot" said Rocky "I-i mean the cleaning. I'm the recycling pup for the Paw Patrol. I also am the conservation pup for the area. Cleaning the environment is very important to me. This that I'm building is a concept project to clean trash out of the bay. It's based on… Never mind, I don't want to bore you. Sorry, I get carried away."
"No, no it's quite ok" said Yeshe "I love conservation as well. I had no idea it was as bad as it is in some places. I-i don't get out much."
"Really, I usually bore my friends and any fem…, others I meet. You don't get out much? Where are you from?" asked Rocky "Somewhere near Adventure Bay?"
"Uh, no, I, uh" said Yeshe, thinking 'Tsering never said they couldn't tell where they were from.' "I'm from Tibet, I'm a Tibetan Mastiff. This is the first time I've ever left the Monastery."
"Wow, Tibet" said Rocky "Can you see Mount Everest? I bet the air is amazing there."
"Yes you can see Everest from a lookout view near the monastery, We call it 'Chomolungma' in Tibetan, but even I admit it is easier to say Everest. And yes it's very quiet and beautiful there. It's also very cold sometimes."
"Wow, that's incredible" said Rocky "I'd love to be able to travel. There is so much of the world I'd like to see. What brings you to Adventure Bay?"
"My Mast, uh my friend 'Toby' and I are here to rest and relax" explained Yeshe "Toby has a very important decision to make and we came here to allow him to think about it."
"Cool, is he a Tibetan Monk?" asked Rocky
"Well, not yet" said Yeshe "That's kind of what he needs to decide. Anyway, you were explaining your machine. Trust me, you won't bore me."
Rocky explained his concept and how this was a prototype because once he had plans Ryder could build just about anything. He and Yeshe continued working on the prototype. They had pretty much finished as much as Rocky hoped to get done today.
"Wo-would you like to take a walk down the beach?" asked Rocky.
"I-uh" stammered Yeshe turning back and seeing Toby sitting on the front porch. "I should ask Toby if it's ok. Hold on." Yeshe turned and ran back to the cabin. Toby stood, seeming concerned.
"Is everything ok?" asked Toby "Did he upset you?"
"No no nothing like that," answered Yeshe. "Rocky asked if I could go for a walk down the beach."
"And you're not going, why?" asked Toby.
"I have to be available for you," said Yeshe, obviously torn between wanting to go but knowing of her duty.
"I told you," said Toby "Go have fun. I'll be fine."
"Thank you," said Yeshe, turning to go.
"Don't stay out too late" laughed Toby
Yeshe stopped and turned, "Uh, ok, uh how late is too late?"
"I was kidding," laughed Toby. "Stay as long as you like. Go, have fun."
Yeshe turned and ran back to Rocky.
"He said I could go," said Yeshe.
They turned and walked down the beach talking and Rocky occasionally stopped to point something out. Yeshe explained that her name meant 'wisdom' and explained the role of Temple Mastiffs as well as a little history of the monastery and Tibet. Rocky explained his role on the Paw Patrol and the others roles as well. They walked and talked, talked and walked, when they had turned around and returned to where the prototype was sitting on the beach they stopped and sat down continuing to talk.
"You are so interesting to talk to" said Yeshe "Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I bet you have all the girls following you."
"Ha, no," said Rocky, "quite the opposite. I usually bore most girls and they leave after the first few minutes. In fact this is the longest conversation I have ever had with a girl in my life."
"That's hard to believe," said Yeshe
"It's true," said Rocky "I appreciate you listening to me for so long."
"I enjoyed every minute," said Yeshe, yawning.
"Rocky? Are you ok?" said a voice from Rocky's collar.
"I'm sorry, Ryder" answered Rocky "I met a gi.., someone and we've been talking. I'll return at once."
"It's ok," said Ryder "It's just not like you to miss dinner two nights in a row. Enjoy your time, come back when you are ready."
"Thanks Ryder" said Rocky signing off.
"Was that your master?" asked Yeshe.
"Yes," said Rocky "He's very nice."
"My mast… companion is very nice as well" said Yeshe
"Why do you keep almost saying master?" asked Rocky concerned "Is everything ok? Do you need help?"
"He is my master. I was presented to him at the Ceremony of him returning to the world to decide if he wants to take the next step toward becoming a monk." explained Yeshe "But Toby insists that we are companions and that he is not my master. I was taught to serve my master. I appreciate the freedom, but it is hard to change what I was taught."
"Your life sounds so much more exciting than mine" said Rocky "I was a stray that Ryder found and gave a home to. He takes us in and teaches each of us a skill to perform based on what he feels we would be best at. I like to clean up and recycle, but I can also fix things, so I became the recycling pup and use the recycled materials to make emergency repairs when needed."
"That sounds much more exciting than my task" said Yeshe "Yes, Temple Mastiffs have been used for many centuries. It is or was a very noble position. But it's not like the temples truly need guarding or defending anymore. Therefore we get assigned to a particular individual as their guard dog / companion."
Rocky noticed it had gotten dark already. "Oh wow" said Rocky "No wonder Ryder called. I did not realize it had gotten so late. May I walk you back to your cabin? I hope I didn't get you in trouble."
"Toby said I could stay out," said Yeshe "I don't think he will mind."
As they walked back to the cabin they noticed Toby sitting out of the front porch.
"Uh oh," said Rocky "I'll take the blame for keeping you out."
"No," said Yeshe. "I didn't notice the time either. I'll speak to him."
"Master, I apologize for it being so late," said Yeshe looking down as she approached.
"I apologize for the poor first impression sir," said Rocky "I wasn't watching the time. I hope I can see Yeshe again, but I understand if you won't let me."
"Both of you," said Toby sternly, then breaking into a smile, "You've known each other for only a few hours but yet you're both ready to defend the other. I told you Yeshe, to stay out as long as you'd like, I meant it. You must be the famous Rocky."
"Y-yes sir," said Rocky, "although I don't know about famous."
"Well Mr. Porter thinks a lot of you," said Toby "anyway, it appears you two have hit it off nicely."
Rocky looked up and Yeshe and then looked back down blushing, "I think Yeshe is very beaut, uh I mean, very nice."
"And I think Rocky is very um, smart and fun to spend time talking to," said Yeshe
"Well thank you for seeing the young lady home, Rocky" said Toby "I expect to see you again soon."
"Actually,I was going to invite Yeshe, I mean both of you to the Lookout tomorrow, "said Rocky "I'd love to introduce you to the team and show you the place."
"I'd love to," said Yeshe "I don't know if Toby can make it with his obligations"
"Thank you for looking out for me Yeshe" said Toby "I could use a day away from obligations. We'd enjoy meeting you at the Lookout in the morning."
Yeshe wiggled and wagged her tail.
"Yes, we will definitely be there tomorrow" smiled Toby, looking down at Yeshe "Thank you for asking."
"Good Night sir," said Rocky "Good Night Yeshe"
"Good night Rocky" said Yeshe "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, good night Rocky" said Toby turning to go inside and stopping to smile again and the two.
Rocky stared at Yeshe, not wanting to break eye contact. Yeshe seemed lost in Rocky's brown eyes. Finally, Rocky spoke. "Well, I should be going. I'll let you get to sleep."
"Oh, yes, yes I should get to sleep" said Yeshe "Good Night, Rocky. I'll see you tomorrow."
Rocky watched as Yeshe turned and walked into the cabin. As the door closed Rocky sighed and turned to walk back to where his recycle truck was parked. He got in and slowly drove back to the Lookout thinking about the day.