It had been at least a couple of days since we adopted Whisper into the gang. Dodger decided it would be a good time to show our new daughter the ropes; starting off with car surfing. The both of us would be teaching her while the others searched for materials for Fagin. The afternoon sun was shining down on anything in its path. It wasn't very hot today which was a good sign. After the car surfing training, we'd show her how to get food from the blind eyes of the humans.

We make it to 7th Avenue which was the best place to find food. "Alright. We will start here." Dodger said, looking to a curious Whisper. "So what are we doing?" she asked, tilting her head. "We're gonna teach you the fine arts of stealing food. The car surfing will have to wait until you're a bit older." I tell her confidently. She was still too little to car surf. "Awesome! How do you do it?" "Watch and learn." Dodger said, going up to an occupied table that two humans were eating from. There was a doggy bag sitting on the metal table.

Dodger bowed a little bit while looking at the bag. I saw the pure concentration in Dodger. Even with his older age, he still has the charisma. Once the human turned around to talk to the waitress, Dodger made his move. He jumped up and swiped it with skill. After that, we made a run for it.

Once we made our break to the next street, Dodger put the food down to take a breather. "The Dodge still got it." Dodger says, strutting proudly. "Wowee! That was awesome, Dodger!" Whisper said happily. I chuckled at her enthusiasm. We then move on home to eat. We'd certainly teach her more later on while the day is still young.

(Whisper)

Seeing Dodger catch that food was a thrill. In her short life, she'd never been so nervous. But it was worth it in the end. She couldn't wait to get a bite of it. She could practically taste it in her jaws. The three dogs make it a few streets before they reached the bay where the barge is located. Rose and Dodger were more focused on getting home with their child in tow.

Then, a distinct sound caught the puppy's attention. The sound of rustling in the alleyway. She stopped walking and looked towards the sound without being noticed by her adopted parents. "Hello? Is anyone here?" she wondered, looking around. The rustling stopped when she spoke. Whisper went stiff at the sudden silence. "Who are you?" another voice spoke. It was another pups voice. And it was male. "Wh-Whisper… My name Whisper…" Whisper said quietly. Then, a pup emerged from behind the dumpster.

He was all white with brown eyes and was a bit bigger than her. Whisper tilted her head at him. There was something about him that she liked but she couldn't figure out what. "Hello… you lost pup like me?" Whisper asked in a sincere tone. "No… My mommy is coming back. She told me to stay and wait." the pup answered, seeming nervous.

"Are you okay? You look scared." Whisper said, tilting her head to the right. "Huh? Oh, it's just the streets are scary… Other dogs are gonna get me…" he said, looking around with his pointed ears laid back, his eyes widened. "What's your name? Mine Whisper." the husky pup asked. "Beau…" the other pup answered. Whisper, seeking the opportunity, got into a play bow position. The other pup looked confused of her actions. "C'mon! Let's play, Beau! Don't be sad!" Whisper said, play bounding at him.

Beau hesitated for a moment. He, at first, didn't know where she was getting at. He didn't understand what playing was. The only way he knew was fighting thanks to his dastardly mother. She was a menace to Rose and the gang. Ednis was her name, a black cane corso. She was silently watching the two pups. Mostly at Whisper with an intention to hurt if not kill her.

The little white pup finally got it and leaped at Whisper with a growl. The two puppies start to play roughly. When he got her pinned down, he looked down at her with glee. "Pinned ya." he said smiling. "No fair! I didn't expect!" Whisper said. "Well, I don't play like other pups." Beau said, getting off of her. "There aren't other pups where you live?" Whisper wondered, standing back up. "I'm the only one." Beau pointed out. Whisper waited a minute to speak. Wow, it must be lonely without another pup to play with.

"Why don't you come visit my place? You won't be alone anymore." Whisper suggested happily. From afar, Ednis gave a deep yet quiet growl at this. There was no way a female was going to take her son from her, much less a pup who wouldn't grow into a strong skilled fighter. Before the pups could play again, a bark was heard from the street.

Whisper looked over to the sound and saw her mother make it to where she was. Rose looked distressed. "Whisper there you are!" Rose called, sounding worried. "Mama?" the pup said, looking at Rose.

(Rose)

"Whisper! Why did you wander off? Something could've happened!" I scold, giving her my infamous mother look. Whisper gazed down in defeat. "I'm sorry mama… I found this pup all alone. His name Beau." Whisper said, her pointed ears lowered a bit. I look from my child to the white pup in front of Whisper. He gazed up at me with a stunned expression. Lowering my head, I sniffed him. He had a familiar scent on him.

"Whisper, this is a rogue pup. Get away from him." I growl, my ears lowering in defense. "But mama-" she started. "No buts!" I bark. Then, I hear a familiar, deep bark. Looking to my right, I see a black cane corso charging at me. "You get away from my son!" she growled. Instinctively, Whisper gets underneath me. The big dog shields her son away from me. It took me a second to see who it was.

"Ednis…" I growl in loathe. This dog was not supposed to be here. Dodger and I gladly banished her from this side of the city. "Rose." she said evilly. Suddenly, her expression changed to shock. I didn't have to look behind me to know that the gang had come to back me up. Dodger came up next to me with his teeth bared. "Dodger." Ednis said. "Ednis." Dodger growled.

"And I'm Ignacio Alonzo Julio Federico de Tito and this is Frankie! You get off of our turf, Chorra!" Tito barked. Ednis barked furiously at the Chihuahua, which did scare him for a minute. "Get out of here, Ednis. And take your pup with you. Otherwise we'll take drastic measures against you." I growl. Ednis wasn't phased by my demand. "You six should all know how little food there is on my side of town. The best is down here." she said, giving a pitiful expression. Dodger and I wasn't buying her bluff.

"You know the penalty of being banished." I say, watching her pace back and forth. "But the child doesn't! He will grow up to be the strongest leader this city has ever known." Ednis said. I growl deeply at her accusation. There's no way that will ever happen.

"You're kiddin' right? That's no leader!" Tito scoffed. "You shut your mouth you, petulant mongrel!" Ednis growled, her eyebrows narrowed.

"You want your pound of flesh, here. He will be a strong leader unlike you mutts." Ednis said, pushing Beau towards the gang. The white pup was scared out of his wits and started whimpering. All Dodger and I did was look down at the frightened pup. Using her child to bribe us? That's a whole new low even for her.

"No. That's not how we do things here. Take your pup and leave. There's nothing more for us here. C'mon you guys. Let's go home." I say, using my teeth to pick Whisper up by her neck hide. "Oh no Rose. There's more for all of us." Ednis said, giving an evil chuckle. Whisper whimpered at this and looked away in fright.

Ednis then goes to pick up Beau by his neck hide. With a second look, we parted ways. Whisper was in a lot of trouble and she knew it. Rita went ahead and carried the bag of food that Dodger snatched.

We make it back to the barge; the evening sun had already arrived. "Rose? Dodger?" Rita said, looking behind her. "Go on ahead Rita. We'll be down in a minute." Dodger replied, sitting down. "Alright. We'll be waiting. I'll make sure that Einstein doesn't eat them all." Rita said in a partial joking manner. "Okay. That's good." I nod, giving my old friend a smile.

Rita then goes downstairs to the bottom of the barge. I set Whisper down on the old wood. Shaking, she looked at us with her ears lowered and her eyes big. Dodger and I did was give her our famous parent glares. "What were you thinking, Whisper?" Dodger said strictly. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…" Whisper stuttered, feeling bad about what happened.

"That dog could've killed you today. We may not have made it in time. Those types of street dogs could easily kill you with one bite." Dodger said, not breaking his gaze from our daughter. She looked down in guilt. I look at him for a second before giving her a motherly nuzzle. "Whisper, we're only saying this because we love you. You can't be getting distracted like that. You won't see it coming if you're too distracted. Your aunt Rita taught me that when I messed around with dogs when I was a bit older than you." I tell her softly yet strictly.

"I'm sorry mama and daddy. I won't do it again. I will stick by your sides and never leave!" Whisper declared. "That's our girl. What do you say we grab ourselves something to eat. We'll take a day off after that experience." Dodger said, his voice more calm. I nodded in agreement. Whisper does too. After that, we all went downstairs to eat.

I'm happy that Whisper will not wander off like that again. Seeing that she was missing nearly gave us a heart attack. But I'm glad everything's as it should be.