Note: This chapter will contain two lines in Portuguese, but they will be paired with a translation between parenthesis.


The Heeler brothers and Pat landed on Lisbon by morning and, after they got out of the airport, Rad said, sighing:

"Ah, Lisbon… such beautiful city and full of history! You like places like that, don't you, Bandit?"

"I thought we came to Portugal to surf, not to admire the view" Bandit told his older brother.

"Can't we do both?" Rad asked, while putting his arm around his brother's shoulder. "After all, we are visiting a brand new country with a different culture."

"And with a colder weather… because it's winter" Bandit replied.

"It's not that bad" Rad said. "I mean, we have sun and the temperature is not that much lower than our winter… But I think it's for the best if we get some warm cloths. We're going to need them for when we go to London."

"Is it weird that I find odd seeing cars riding on the right side of the road, even when I already knew it was that way here?" Stripe asked Pat.

"Believe me, you're not the only one" he replied.

"Come on, guys, let's not stay here talking about the weather or road rules" Rad said to his brothers and friend. "We came here to surf, so that's what we're going to do. Come on, let's find a bus or something to take us to Nazaré. Bandit, it's time to put that Portuguese to use."

Sighing, Bandit went to ask around where they could find a bus station that could take them to Nazaré. Despite being a little rusty with the language, Bandit was able to make himself be understood. In fact, the dogs they encounter and talked to were quite nice. He had heard Portuguese dogs were like that, but now that he experienced it, the more he felt like being talking with Australians, only in another language.

The four friends were able to take a bus that took them to Nazaré and, once they got out of it and came to the beach, they gasped at the beauty they were seeing.

"Wow… this beach is amazing!" Stripe exclaimed.

"Yeah, I knew Portugal had good beaches, but this beyond that" Pat told.

"And look at those waves!" Rad exclaimed, noticing how wild the ocean was and how strong the waves were. "Man, that's the kind of waves I so want to surf!"

"You took the words right out of my mouth, Rad!" Pat said.

"Yeah, let's go!" Stripe exclaimed.

When they were about to go, Bandit asked:

"Shouldn't we first get surfboards, since, you know, we left ours at home?"

That caused the other three to stop and say, a little embarrassed:

"Yeah, you're right…"

"Okay, let's rent some boards and go to the water!" Rad exclaimed.

"But before that, shouldn't we first find a place to stay and let our stuff?" Bandit asked.

That caused Rad to get, yet again, embarrassed and say, while scratching the back of his head:

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

After looking for some time, the foursome group soon found a guesthouse. Getting in, they found it empty, with the exception for a female Portuguese cattle dog with a mountain color, that seemed to be around their age, who was at the reception. They approached and Bandit said:

"Peço desculpa, mas nós gostaríamos de fazer reservar um quarto (I'm sorry, but we would like to book a room)" Bandit said.

The girl just chuckled and then replied:

"Não tem de se preocupar, eu falo inglês (You don't have to worry, I speak English)"

"Really?" Bandit asked. "That's a relief… My Portuguese is not in good shape."

"Well, I for one, found it very charming" the girl said. "Even if coming from an Australian."

"You even know where I come from, that's impressive" Bandit said.

"What can I say, I'm very perspective" she said. "Well, that and the fact you're a heeler and your accent is unmistakable."

Bandit chuckled and said:

"Yeah, you're right about that."

Rad, Stripe and Pad traded looks and then Stripe asked:

"Are you seeing the same thing as me?"

"Yeah, looks like Bandit has found a friend…" Pat commented. "I guess it didn't take that long as I expected."

"Should we say something or let them speak for who knows how long?" Stripe asked.

"I'm happy for Bandit, but I, personally, what to surf on those awesome waves as soon as possible" Stripe replied.

Having said that, he approached Bandit and the receptionist and said, while putting his arm around his younger brother:

"I'm sorry, but I believe we're just booking some rooms for us."

"Oh, right, I'm sorry" the girl said, a little embarrassed. "When I start talking, I guess it's a little hard to stop… especially when I am having such a good conversation. Not to mention we're in a low season and there're not as many bookings as we usually do…"

"No worries, my little brother here also has a way to make a lady feel comfortable" Rad replied, while rubbing his fist on Bandit's head, much to his annoyance. "Let me introduce ourselves. My name is Rad, this chatty little rascal is Bandit, and those are my other little brother, Stripe, and our friend Pat."

"Nice to meet you, my name is Mel" she said.

"Mel… nice name" Rad told. "Well, Mel, I hope you can get us the best rooms you have to offer."

"Of course, actually, we have two double rooms with a nice view to the beach" Mel told.

"Then we'll have them" Rad said. "One for me and Stripe and the other for Bandit and his best bud Pat."

"Okay, let me see…" Mel said, as she dealt with the booking on the computer and then went to get two keys. "There you go… And here's the password for the Wi-Fi and we have a bar on the restaurant."

"And wouldn't you know, by any chance, a place where we can rent surfboards?" Rad asked.

"Oh, I know the perfect place" Mel said, while writing down an address and giving it to Bandit. "Just tell the owner Mel sent you and he may give you a reasonable discount."

"We'll sure do" Rad said. "Cheers. Let's go, guys."

And the four of them started heading towards their rooms.

"Bro, that girl was all over you" Stripe said to Bandit.

"No, she wasn't!" he exclaimed, defensive. "We were just having a friendly conversation."

"I wished every beautiful foreign babe would have a conversation as friendly as that" Pat commented to his best friend.

"And if that doesn't convince you, maybe the fact she gave you the address of the surf shop instead me, mainly when I was the one to ask for it, will" Rad said.

"Okay, can you stop that?" Bandit asked his brothers and best friend, stopping. "Seriously, you're too much focused in setting me up with another girl so I can forget about Emily! Just… give me so space!"

Having said that, he went ahead.

"Do you think we just stepped across the line here?" Rad asked to Stripe and Pat.

"Yes" they replied at the same time.

Pat got to the room he would share with Bandit and found the door unlocked, as his best friend was the one with the key. He opened it, finding Bandit sitting on one of the bed, where he had placed his backpack. Pat placed his backpack on the other bed, saying:

"Nice room, don't you think?"

But Bandit didn't say anything to him. Pat then went to the balcony and admired the view they had.

"Wow, look at this…" Pat said. "You know, it's nice having a view like that. I don't know why, but the fact that lacks tall buildings make it look… I don't know, nice."

However, Bandit kept not saying nothing.

"Come on, Bandit, you won't give me the silent treatment, will you?" Pat asked, approaching his friend. "I'm sorry, if your brothers and I made you feel uncomfortable. We were just happy that you were having a good time with Mel."

"That's the problem" Bandit said. "You are so focused in having me forget about Emily that I can't have a simple conversation with a girl without you thinking it may happen something more between us."

"Yeah, we three agree that we went a little over the top" Pat said, sitting on his bed. "Look, I know I told you to enjoy the moment and I know you're trying to do that… But I think I also need to go easy on you, we all do. So we'll let you go on your own pace regarding moving on Emily."

"Yeah, I would appreciate that" Bandit replied.

"Then that's what we're going to do… and that's a promise" Pat told. "I just need to tell your brothers and hope they comply with it… especially Rad."

That caused Bandit to drop a laugh and say:

"Thanks, Pat. You're the best."

Pat nodded to him and then said, while getting up:

"So, are you ready to go surf? Rad is almost exploding on excitement to go to the ocean."

"Let's do this thing!" Bandit exclaimed, while also getting up.

"Now that's the Bandit I know!" Pat exclaimed.

And the two friends got out of the room.


Note: Mel, as stated above, is a Portuguese cattle dog, also known as Castro Laboreiro Dog, one of the most ancient breeds in all Iberian Peninsula. I hope you have liked her, because she may have future appearances and will be important in the story.