The morning sun as it first peeked over the bay began to shine in Rocky's face. He blinked and looked around.
"I don't remember coming to bed" said Rocky as he looked around, noticing Zuma laying nearby.
"You didn't" yawned Zuma, "You kind of froze after Yeshe left and wouldn't talk to us. Finally Chase and I carried you to bed."
"W-what?" said Rocky trying to remember.
"Dude," laughed Zuma "don't sweat it. You are experiencing what every guy eventually does. It feels incredible doesn't it?"
"A-am I just making a fool of myself?" asked Rocky "I have no idea what to do or say, I feel so silly, I can't talk, I can't think, I don't want to say the wrong thing, I"
"Whoa, Dude!" said Zuma, grabbing Rocky by the shoulders, "Breathe, relax, slow down, take a step back. You don't have to do anything other than be yourself. She obviously feels the same way, you can tell by the way she watches you."
"Really," said Rocky "y -you really think she likes me, like, likes me likes me?"
"Seriously dude?" laughed Zuma "The two of you are, and I'll kill you if you tell anyone I said this, adorable. I really hope that Sonny feels about me the way Yeshe seems to feel about you."
"I just don't want to mess everything up" said Rocky, he then huffed and dropped to his bedding.
"What!" said Zuma, startled by Rocky's sudden change "What's wrong, Rocky?"
"What if all of this is just getting my hopes up" said Rocky "What if we hit it off only to find out that Toby has decided to return to Tibet and I never see her again." Rocky began to whimper.
"Bro, seriously" said Zuma softly "Don't invite trouble that hasn't come. If in fact this is something more then, come on. Can you honestly say that there is anything to stop you from following her?"
"I-i couldn't leave you guys" whimpered Rocky "Ryder saved me from the streets. He provides for me, I owe him everything."
"Ok first off" said Zuma "What you owe Ryder and us as well, is that you live a happy life. No one would fault you for following her if that is what you feel is right. Second, Did you really think we would all grow old and die exactly the same as we were when we started?"
"I don't know,'' said Rocky, "I never really thought about it. I have no idea what I'm doing, I have no idea if I'm just leading myself to heartache or not. It's not like I have any experience with , um, uh liking somepup."
"Love Rocky," laughed Zuma "It's ok to say it. This is what falling in Love feels like. I swear, a girl comes along and us guys lose our minds. But Dude, I can't tell you if it's your true love. I can't tell you if she is right for you or you for her. That's between the two of you. Making it work, if it is supposed to, is up to you as well. You have to search your feelings and decide what steps to take. Just know that I'm here for you Bro. I'll help you run off with her or whatever you need."
"I seriously doubt she's feeling this way" said Rocky "I'm probably kidding myself. I have no experience with girls. If she was a computer I'd know what buttons to push. But she's not, I don't know what to do or say."
"Hehe, if you want to know what buttons to push. I can tell you where those are…" laughed Zuma "But I told you before. Don't try to make things happen, let them happen naturally. in it's own time. Be Rocky, don't try to be somepup else. You're you, just be you. I honestly think she sees you for yourself and wants to be with the natural Rocky, the brain and conservation Rocky."
"You can't be serious," said Rocky "What would anyone want with a silly mixed breed recycling pup? What could I possibly give Yeshe? She's of a noble bloodline, I'm of a lord only knows what bloodline. She's beautiful, I'm uh, a gray mutt"
"Now you stop that crap right now," snapped Zuma "You are not a mutt. You are a wonderful friend and will make somepup an awesome mate. You care about everyone, you care about the environment. You're the smartest pup I know, possibly in the world. What does she see in you, I have no idea, you have to ask her. I've been around with dozens of females and if you think I understand how girls think or what they see, you're wrong. I don't think we are supposed to understand them. It's our job to keep them happy and make them feel safe, be their friend and lovers. But don't you dare put yourself down anymore. I for one think you are one of the best pups I know and if she can't see you for what you are, then she's not the right one."
Rocky looked down and said "Ok, Zuma, Ok. But what if I'm wrong and I feel this way only because she's the first girl to show interest in me. And make her feel safe? I seriously think she could take on anything better than I could. Friend I can do, but lover? I really have no idea what to do to be a lover."
"Rocky?" laughed Zuma, "You're a dog, you can't help yourself, it's instinct. When the time comes, be it with Yeshe or someone else, you will know what to do. However, if you have questions, you know you can come to me or Chase. You can and might should talk to Everest and Skye, they know how girls think and can give you ideas. But I'm telling you, you need to be you, go with what comes naturally. Somehow, I doubt Yeshe has a lot of experience, what with living on a mountain in Tibet. Have fun, be creative. Learn together what works and what doesn't. Don't make stupid mistakes that lead to me being an uncle before it's time though."
"What?" screeched Rocky, "I-uh, I would never, I haven't even, I…"
"Stop Rocky" laughed Zuma "I was totally joking. And yes you will and yes you will want to and yes when the time is right, and I can't tell you when that is either, you will know what to do and might even have to stop yourself or her for that matter if you both have not really thought about it. But you really don't need to worry about that for quite a while."
"I'm serious, I won't" stammered Rocky
"Yeeeaaahhh, you will," laughed Zuma "It might not be for a while or even this year. But as your relationship grows you will start feeling things, and I promise you, you will. Like I said, it's normal, if you have questions, ask. But in all honesty, if all you felt was instant lust, that would be a sign that it's not really more than a monetary crush. The fact that you haven't even considered it before I brought it up is a good sign that you already consider the relationship to be more."
"I would never do anything, Yeshe didn't want first," said Rocky sternly, "I can tell you, I don't know what others do, but I won't."
"Rocky, dude" said Zuma equally sternly, "I'm not talking about jumping her bones. I'm talking about serious relationship steps that will come in time. As for anything against her will, I will personally beat your butt to pulp and throw you in the bay for Wally to eat if I ever hear anything remotely like that. No means no, on both sides."
"You uh, you seem to know a lot about this" said Rocky "Have you?"
"Me well, you know" said Zuma, now blushing himself.
"You haven't, have you?" asked Rocky
"I uh, I," stammered Zuma "I've messed around, but no I haven't gone there yet. I haven't found the right one yet. And dude, I will know when it's the right time for me and the right one."
"What about you and Sunny?" asked Rocky, now generally curious.
"Would I consider it?" snickered Zuma "Hell yeah! But only after both of us decided it was right and even then there are things to consider."
"What, like marriage?" asked Rocky
"Well for some, yes, some want to wait for that," said Zuma "I'm not saying one way or the other. I'm just saying when I feel it's right, I'll decide. If you haven't felt certain desires or didn't recognize it for what it was, trust me you will. There's nothing wrong with feeling, uh well you know."
"What?" asked Rocky cocking his head to one side "I really don't have a clue. Is there a manual?"
"What?" laughed Zuma "I'm talking about 'horny' Rocky, it's ok to feel horny. You're a teenage pup, you're going to feel certain things. Seriously, has Ryder not had the talk with you?"
"You mean the weird 'Where do puppies come from' speech?" said Rocky "yeah, like a long time ago, but nothing about being, uh horny."
"Uh, I, Uh" stammered Zuma, "Look Bro, sometimes 'let's just say a pup walks by and something catches your eye.' You get a weird sensation in your belly or maaayybeee somewhere lower. Eventually you will recognize it for what it is."
"And that makes you want to, um...uh," stuttered Rocky.
"Think about or maybe want to, um yeah" said Zuma "But just because you feel something, doesn't mean you run off jumping everything that sets you off." "It just means you're alive," laughed Zuma, "It means you noticed something that uh, made you, um 'horny.' It's normal, it is one of the things that makes us who we are. It means absolutely nothing more. If it's about someone you know or care for, it still doesn't mean anything more than you find them attractive and uh. Hey, you should probably be getting ready to go, shouldn't you? You promised to go to her cabin this morning." Zuma jumped up, "I, uh, gotta go use the tree" and ran off.
"That was weird" said Rocky, "I just don't know about all this relationship stuff. Maybe I should stick with computers and stuff."
Rocky got up and started his day including yet another shower. He began driving to Yeshe and Toby's cabin.
Meanwhile at the cabin. Yeshe walked into the kitchen and found Toby at the table drinking coffee and looking concerned.
"Good mornin…'' started Yeshe "Is something, um, something wrong? Did you make a decision?"
"What, uh, No" said Toby, "Yeshe, uh, sit down I want to talk to you this morning before you get going."
"Ok," said Yeshe, jumping into one of the chairs and sitting "Did I do something, or did Ryder say something about Rocky?"
"No, no nothing like that," said Toby, standing and beginning to pace "Yeshe, I'm not sure what all you were taught in your training."
"About what?" asked Yeshe, tilting her head.
"Um, uh, A-about boys" said Toby "I mean, I want to make sure you understand some things about boys and dating, and um."
"You mean where puppies come from?" asked Yeshe "Yes, they taught us that when we were really young."
"Well, yeah, that sort of is part of it" said Toby "I know you didn't date or anything like that before we came here. But did anyone tell you about uh, how boys, um?"
"I'm not following" said Yeshe "I understand how a dog gets pregnant, if that is what you are asking"
"No, more than that" said Toby "I'm a boy and you're a girl and this is is, really difficult. I want you to understand that sometimes you might feel things that, um, that you don't quite understand."
"Yeah, I'm not really.." said Yeshe "Are you going to tell me the 'don't have a puppy until you're married' speech?"
"First off, that is between you and your beliefs," started Toby "Second, there are things that may or may not lead to puppies, that might draw your interests."
"The temple instructors said that you would not be seen favorably if you got pregnant without permission and before you were properly mated" said Yeshe "Were they wrong, is there more to it?"
Toby took a deep breath, "Yeshe, the answer is yes and no. Yes, you should not have a pup until you and your mate are ready for it. But no, not all um"
"Sex?" said Yeshe, trying to understand.
"Yes, sex" said Toby "Not all sex is just for making puppies. And sometimes you and your mate might have certain feelings that lead you to, um, to do things that might feel good at the time but, um."
"Are you telling me not to have sex with Rocky?" asked Yeshe, shocked "I just met him. I wouldn't, I mean I would never, I, uh"
"Sorry" laughed Toby "I'm messing this up. I never thought I'd have this talk. I was going to be a Monk and not have children. But you are important to me."
"I would do anything you tell me to" said Yeshe "I know you don't want me to think of you as my master, but you are. I love you as a friend and as my master. I would never do anything against your will."
Toby said down and took another deep breath, "Yeshe, I'm not telling you to not have sex with Rocky or anyone else, I'm also not telling you to have sex with him. I trying to explain that as you go through life, in this relationship or whatever, you might feel a certain way about something that uh, catches your eye. These feelings are quite normal. You also might find that your friends or mate might feel the same and might pressure you to do something that, uh"
"Wow, you are worried that Rocky will talk me into having a puppy" said Yeshe "Or that he might do something that I don't want him to?"
"No, no! I'm not necessarily talking about Rocky" said Toby "But currently Rocky is the boy you are thinking about. Ok, I'm just going to say this, let me finish because I don't think I could do it again."
"Ok" said Yeshe, perking her ears up to hear everything Toby was about to say.
"When you see or he sees something about another that makes them feel 'funny' it is normal. Some pups or people might refer to it as feeling 'horny.' EVERYONE, feels this from time to time. It's normal, acting on it, is somewhat different. It is perfectly normal to be turned on by your mate or even someone you see walk by or on a painting for that matter. Just because you're turned on, doesn't mean you have to do anything or that you should. I'm also not saying that you shouldn't. I'm saying think about it very thoroughly before deciding. You can't take it back once you step over a certain line. I do not begin to think I understand everything a boy pup feels. I know how I feel about certain things. You might even think about talking to those girl pups from the Paw Patrol. Just promise me that before you and Rocky or any other pup decide to uh, mess around, that you have talked about it and not just let hormones take control. I also want to say, that boys get accused of causing the problem all the time. That's not true, girls can initiate things as well. Remember no is no."
Yeshe sat listening and waiting, thinking about what Toby had said. Finally she said "Ok, I appreciate it. I promise I won't ever, uh, be uh horny"
"Yeah, you will" interrupted Toby "You will feel it, you might have already and didn't know what it was. I can assure you, you will feel things and have the desire to do things. I'm not saying those thoughts are wrong or right, I'm not saying to act or not act on them. All I'm saying is slow down and think about it before you make any moves."
"O-ok Toby" said Yeshe "I will not do anything without asking you first."
"No, not me" said Toby "If you have questions, come to me, If I can't help, maybe the other girl pups can. You shouldn't do anything until you've asked your heart not your, uh other um, feelings, if he is the one and if you are ready for whatever it is. I am not your uh, father, I'm just a friend"
"No, you are the most important person in the world to me" said Yeshe "You might as well be my father. I'm not really sure who was my father, I could probably figure it out, but he's never been there for me or taught me anything. I respect your opinion more than anyone in the world. I would never do anything to disappoint you."
Toby looked up with tears in his eyes, "I love you too Yeshe. I would give my life to protect you as you would me. I will be there for you no matter how this ends. If it's a wedding, so be it, if it ends in a friendship, I'll be there for that. If he hurts you I will hunt him to the ends of the earth. But seriously, I probably don't want to know what you two are doing. I'm here if you need me, but just be careful."
"I will," laughed Yeshe.
Both of them turned toward the front door as they heard a vehicle drive up and park.
"Well that must be Rocky," said Toby, jumping up and wiping his eyes. "I'll have breakfast ready in a moment."
Yeshe jumped down from the chair and walked toward the front door. Rocky knocked as she walked up. Yeshe opened the door to greet Rocky.
"Good morning, Yeshe" Rocky said as she opened the door.
"Good morning, Rocky" said Yeshe, she opened the door, "Won't you come in? Toby is fixing breakfast and it will be ready soon. Won't you please have a seat?"
They sat on opposite ends of the couch and looked around the room.
"So, uh, did you sleep well?" asked Rocky
"Why yes, Thank you" said Yeshe "Did you as well?"
"I slept very well," said Rocky in reply.
In the kitchen, the phone that Ryder had given Toby rang. Toby picked it up and saw a brown lab that he remembered from yesterday. 'His name is, um, Zuma' thought Toby.
"Good morning Zuma, is there something I can do for you?" asked Toby, answering the call.
"Good morning Toby," answered Zuma "I'm afraid I might have made a mistake this morning. I had a talk with Rocky."
"Ok, I probably had a similar talk with Yeshe" said Toby "Is something wrong?"
"Well, I don't know about Yeshe" said Zuma "But Rocky sometimes takes things quite literally. I'm afraid that my talk to ask him to be considerate of her feelings and to control any feelings he might have, might have been too much, too soon."
"Ok, I understand," said Toby "I believe Yeshe is very much the same. You think it was wrong to tell them that?"
"Wrong? No not at all," said Zuma "Rocky's has no experience with girls and I just wanted to prepare him. I'm worried that it might have been too much information to process so quickly. Tell me, what are they doing right now?"
"OK I think I understand" said Toby "Hold on, let me stick my head in the livingroom…..wow, ok I think you might be right. They are sitting as far apart as the couch will allow. What do we do? Tell them to forget everything we told them?"
"Oh lord no!" laughed Zuma "They might take it to the opposite extreme. I think maybe we can sit down with them and explain our good intention and that they are now aware but they need to be themselves and see where the relationship goes."
"Ok, I think that's a good idea" said Toby stepping back into the kitchen "How long will it take for you to get here?"
"I'm actually on the way already" said Zuma "I'll be there in about three minutes."
"Ok, I'll call them to breakfast," said Toby "We can talk to them then. See you in a bit, just come in, the door's open."
"Yeshe, Rocky Breakfast" yelled Toby
The two walked into the kitchen at arms length. And sat on opposite sides of the table.
Toby began serving the eggs and bacon he had made for breakfast. Zuma walked into the kitchen.
"Welcome Zuma" said Toby "I'm so glad you could come."
"Wha-what are you doing here, Zuma?" asked Rocky
"I thought I'd come have breakfast with Toby so he'd have someone to talk to" said Zuma, hopping into one of the unclaimed chairs.
Toby sat a plate in front of Zuma and sat down with his own.
"Pups, we" Toby said, indicating himself and Zuma "Think you two might have misunderstood what our intentions were."
"We wanted you two to be aware of somethings as you two both are new to relationships" said Zuma
"What you might have heard was we were concerned you would move too fast. That was not our intent at all" explained Toby "It seems, we both have similar feelings for the two of you. I just wanted you, Yeshe to think before doing anything more than kissing"
Yeshe looked at Rocky and blushed quickly looking down.
"And I wanted the same, Rocky" said Zuma "I never meant for you to try not, to have feelings in reference to Yeshe."
Rocky also looked to Yeshe before blushing and looking down.
"See, the two of you are already avoiding each other's gaze because of us" said Zuma.
"So that said" explained Toby "You two need to only keep in mind what we said as additional research data." Both of the pups looked up at the reference to research. Toby continued "You need to set that aside for now. If you have questions, we're here for you. But just be yourselves, allow yourselves to get to know each other better. We pushed too soon, and should have waited. We love you both very much and want you to enjoy the time you spend together."
"Remember" said Zuma "There is no checklist to follow or rules to follow. Let your friendship grow and if a relationship develops, then great. Regardless, let it happen naturally there are no deadlines or agendas. Have fun, go make memories"
"I believe Zuma is going to take me to Jake's Mountain so I can look around" said Toby looking at Zuma.
"Yep, it will give you plenty of time to talk and go to lunch or whatever you'd like" said Zuma, finishing his breakfast and then standing to go.
"You two have fun" said Toby "I'll call later. If you need me just call"
With that Toby and Zuma left and took off together toward Jake's Mountain.