Chapter 6 Frank and Ruddley
The next day, after breakfast, they tied a rope around the pup's neck and went out to get a look at the town. "Do you have any idea why we're here?" Jeff asked as they strolled along.
"None, that's your department," Bogg answered. "How about an ice cream?" he asked as they passed a sign, "Weatherwax Confections."
"Fine with me," Jeff answered. When he got his cone, he held it down so the pup could share the tasty treat.
"Why're you doing that?" asked a soft voice, and Jeff turned and stared at the boy who was staring at him.
"Huh?" he asked.
"Why're you sharing with that dog?" the boy asked.
"I always share with my dogs," Jeff answered.
"Don't you know that dogs are supposed to live in barns? They aren't supposed to be so close to ya."
"Where I come from, a good dog can be your best friend," Jeff told him.
"Frank!" the loud voice called from the back of the store.
The boy immediately got up, "gotta get back to work, I'll see ya later."
Jeff watched him leave as he finished the ice cream cone.
He and Bogg exchanged glances, then he shrugged and they left.
By the end of the second week, Jeffrey had taught the pup, whom he'd named Ralph, to sit on command and fetch a stick, though he often didn't want to return it. Each evening, Frank, the boy from the ice cream shop, stopped by after work to watch Jeff teach Ralph.
Phineas and Jeffrey spent their days wandering around the small town, picking up odd jobs now and then and trying to figure out what was causing the red light.
"I don't get it," Bogg would say practically every night, "there just doesn't seem to be anything wrong here."
After a few days, the boy brought his younger brother along to watch too, and from then on he came every evening. "You know, no one around here cottons on to how you get him to do that," Frank said as he watched the pup lie down on command.
Jeff smiled, "well it's not too hard if you've got the right dog. This one's very smart. It's only been two weeks and look how much he's learned.
"Can I teach him a trick?" Frank asked as his brother looked on.
"I was gonna try teaching him to roll over, now that he can lie down, this is how," and Jeff demonstrated how to teach the pup to do the trick.
Frank followed Jeff's instructions and soon the pup was rolling over on command. Frank's pleasure was obvious.
After two weeks, Jeff was surprised when Frank's brother asked him a question. "How much do you want for him?" he asked suddenly.
"You mean to sell him?" Jeff asked surprised.
The boy nodded.
Jeff looked at Bogg uncertainly and saw him shrug. "I never thought about it," Jeff answered.
"Come on Ruddley, nobody would want to sell such a smart dog," Frank said.
"I'm serious," Ruddley continued, "you said you travel around a lot, and I know you just got him because he's so young. How're you gonna take care of a pup when you're always traveling?" he pressed.
Jeff hesitated, the boy was right of course, especially with their type of travel. "Well, I don't really care about money, but I'd want to be sure he got a good home," Jeff said finally.
Ruddley got up and walked over to the puppy and picked it up. He cradled it in the crook of his elbow and the pup relaxed and went limp in his arms. He'd be my best friend," he said seriously.
"I'll think about it," Jeff said taking the pup from him.
That evening, Bogg said what was on both their minds. "He's right about the dog you know, we really can't voyage with him."
"I know," Jeff said quietly.
"And that kid really does seem to have a way with him, ya know?" Bogg continued.
"I know," Jeff repeated sadly as he stroked the pup. "How's the omni?"
Bogg unhooked it, "still red," he said. "We really do need to work on that."
"But nothing seems wrong here?" Jeff said, then paused, "okay, tomorrow I'll tell him he can have Ralph."
Bogg put a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, "it's the right thing," he said.