Back to L.A.
Dylan POV
After mom left, I made sure to wake all my slacker little siblings. While it was true that most of our belongings were already packed in the boxes, we still had few of our personal possessions to pick up before leaving. Everything went smoothly at first, but do you recall what I said before? About how it wasn't that easy to take care of many little paws running around the place? Well, if you were in my place now, this scene shouldn't even faze you.
-"Hey! Watch it! Can't you see we're walking here?"
-"Has anyone seen my groundhog plush toy?"
-"Ummm…little help here!"
-"Yo! Who's up for a little roughhousing in the old house?"
And that's just to name a few. I gave a heavy sigh as I prepared, both physically and mentally, to put some order here. As I did that, I failed to notice how one of my little sisters carefully positioned right next to me in order to get a better view of the two and the rambunctious corridor for her live broadcast.
-"Good morning, dog viewers at home! It's your fellow friend Cooper with one last streaming from our little home in L.A." (said my little influencer sister-jubilant as always-while recording everything with her small tablet).
-"Cooper, are you seriously filming? Right now?!" I practically shouted it, unconsciously, fearing that mom might find about this and get the wrong idea of keeping things under control.
-"And here's my big brother Dylan, being the big worrywart that he always is. Why don't you say hi to your fans Dyl!" (she continued as she focused the tablet's camera directly to my face).
-"Wooo! Look at those many likes in the chat" (she added with delight).
-"Cooper, I'm serious. Have you packed your things already?" I insisted as I put my paw on top of her tablet, not caring if I interrupted her broadcast. Immediately, she understood the message.
-"Sigh, yes, Dyl… I finished packing up everything…"
-"Good, then you can wait downstairs. We don't want to be late for the boarding" I reminded her, still sounding as stern as possible. She nodded me understandingly and went down the stairs, where she resumed her live streaming in peace.
Not long after that, I felt how something greasy and muddy crawled below me before deciding to stay, right in front of me, with that blank dim-witted expression of his. I instantly groaned displeased by his looks.
-"Diesel… we really need to stop this. You can't go all that murky to the airport" I tried to reason with him, even when I knew, beforehand, that that was going to be impossible considering his low IQ level.
-"Hahaha! I like digging!" (he laughed happily with both paws in the air)
-"You sure do…"
Luckily for me, I can always count with the assistance of my loyal confidant and helper for this kind of situation.
-"Dawkins!" I cried, calling my sidekick/Poodlewolf partner to come. If I was going to delegate some responsibilities on someone, then Dawkins was the perfect pup in the family for the job.
-"Dylan, I'm busy right… oh, thank dog, you found him!" (he confessed, relieved, the moment he saw Diesel with me).
-"I thought you were going to keep an eye on him so he wouldn't get to the backyard".
-"Well, have you tried doing that yourself? I turned away for one second and he was gone!"
-"Fair point" I sighed defeated, already thinking I'd have to bathe Diesel again and I really didn't have time to do that when I needed to supervise the others.
-"Fear not, brother, for I have the solution" (spoke Dawkins again with a small remote control on his paw). After he pressed a button, another one of his inventions climbed up the stairs.
-"I call it 'the Cleanator 3.0'. This time I fully perfectioned all its functions to provide a nice and effective cleanup of any dirt trait in its radar. Let's test it out!" (he stated eagerly before pressing another button on the remote).
Following his input commands, Dawkins's robot performed a quick analysis of Diesel and determined that the dirty pup needed to be bathe. Spreading his long stretchy arms, it grabbed Diesel by his collar and marched with him-dangling-to the bathroom.
-"Smirk, I'll take it from here" (said Dawkins proudly before he and I gave quick fist-paw).
-"I knew you wouldn't let me down" I replied as I watched him supervise both Diesel and the Cleanator. With three already taken care of, I could resume my task and check on the remaining nine pups unaccounted for. Since Da-Vi's room was the closest, I decided to see how my painter little brother was doing with his packing.
Da Vinci, or Da-Vi for short (as we like to call him), is also one of the least troublesome of the family. That is if he doesn't partake in the others' antics in favor of his art. You can always expect to see him painting on many blank canvases with his natural black-colored paws that he liked to dip in painting.
-"Mmm… Maybe a little orange or yellow to highlight the colors would do…. Mmmm" said his voice from inside the room.
-"Oh! That's it!" (he exclaimed the moment inspiration hit him hard).
Da-Vi swiftly jumped off from the wooden stool to get other various painting tubes, which he then squished with his painted paws into the canvas. All the colors stained the picture disproportionately, but that's exactly what Da-Vi wanted, because he immediately got on the stool again and, using his small paws, he mixed and splashed all the colors together like he was playing an important piece of music.
-"Aaand, done!" (he proclaimed with genuine enjoyment as he threw a small paintball to the canvas with his paw).
-"First Diesel, and now you. I'm starting to think you guys are doing it on purpose" I interjected unsurprised, almost too stoically for my like.
-"Dylan! Tell me what you think of it! I call it: 'Mesmerizing Summer', I just had to paint it today to capture the wonderful view of the outside from here".
Now, I'm no expert in abstract art (that's Da-Vi's department). However, even I had to admit the painting was truly hypnotizing. The mixed dark colors from the background intermingled perfectly with the light ones up front, to the point I could (sorta) point out what I believed was the figure of the sun in his painting, along the shapes of the buildings from downtown, and the roofs of the houses from our neighborhood.
-"Hmmm… Well, I'd be lying if I said I'm not impressed by it, but being amazed by this is to be expected from the top artist of the family" I praised him as he looked at me with those childish sparking eyes of his, white bright teeth and happy wagging tail.
-"Still, that doesn't excuse you from losing precious packing time. Plus, now you have to wash yourself too" I reminded him firmly.
-"Already one step ahead of you" (he stated cheekily as he brought up a small bowl of water, where he dipped his front paws repeatedly until they recovered their natural black color from his fur).
-"You missed a spot" I joked lightheartedly before grabbing a wipe from its holder, which I used to clean the paint stains from his face and body. I would like to point out it would be easy to do so if Da-Vi wasn't so ticklish.
-"Hahahaha! Stop-stop! I get it, I get it!" (he burst into laughter by the moment I was done).
-"Just need to put my paint tubes and brushes in my backpack".
-"So, you're planning on leaving this for the newcomers?" I stated ironically while pointing to Mesmerizing Summer still on the easel.
-"O-oh! That too…" (he admitted embarrassedly, knowing he didn't have the enough height to reach the painting's frame from above).
-"What are big brothers for" I reassured him before reaching the painting with my muzzle.
Few minutes later, we were on the first floor, and counting Da-Vi, four of my twelve little siblings were all good and ready to go. I quickly asked Dawkins for the time and he informed me we still had enough before midday. That was relieving indeed, since I just needed to speed things up with the rest, and one small brother in particular had been urging me for some time to help him, but I got so caught into the others' issues that I barely had time to get to him.
-"Ahhhh! Mr. Groundhog!" shouted the panicking voice of my little brother, Deepak, from the second floor. Guess, he'll have to wait a little more.
I swiftly got upstairs to solve whatever problem he had, only to be blocked on my way to him by my twin little sisters, Pixie and Dixie, two Dalmatian Spaniels obsessed with fashion and clothes. Ever since the two were up, I could hear them debate endlessly among themselves on the color and style that was in with the English.
-"Stop right there, Dylan! We so need your help right now" (stated the two firmly when they took a stand in front of me).
-"Girls, really? I'm kinda busy at the moment".
-"Oh, please, they can wait a couple of minutes" (said Pixie with a dismissive tone while moving her paw).
-"And, we have a serious fashion emergency in our paws" (added Dixie, genuinely worried about it).
-"See, I told Dixie we should totally go for a more classic-modern look with our collared shirts and plaid pleated skirts".
-"But I said: Pixie, that's sooo last year fashion! Blazers are in by today's standards".
-"Ugh! Seriously, I still don't understand how can we even be sisters".
-"HEY! Get back here!" shouted the voice of another sister of mine that was on a hot pursuit. I didn't need to be told twice what to do, and used that to my advantage.
-"Look, just pick whatever you like and wait downstairs. Mom could be here any minute" I told them as I backed away a little to get a boost and jump right above their heads.
-"Come on, Laverne, don't you want your little cloth back?" (said the tomboy of the family, Spice, who was looking for trouble with the wrong sister).
-"Sista, you don' know who you playing with!"
-"It's right here, see? Or is it that you're too…"
-"Ohoh, nuh-uh! You are not going to end that sentence if I have somethin' to say about it!"
-"If you had tried harder before this wouldn't have been that…. Ey! What gives?!" (spat Spice annoyed the moment I snatched her beanie off her).
-"And now you know how Laverne feels about it" I reprimanded her as I returned it to her.
-"Tsk, you're such a killjoy, you know that?" (she commented displeased while putting her beanie on again).
-"You lucky he was here or you have seen hell" (declared Laverne the moment she recovered her piece of cloth).
-"Please, no more fighting for today. We. Can't. Waste. More. Time" I spelled it out to the four after feeling already too tired of all the running around and lecturing. Aside from the displeased looks I received of some, they all seemed to have understood the order and grudgingly returned to their respective rooms. Seeing this helped me alleviate the load and pressure a little. Actually, it was kinda funny, because it felt like I was forgetting something.
-"Ahhh, please, don't!" cried Deepak's voice again. Oh, dog. I forgot about him…
Deepak's agitated outbursts were not unusual at home. He was as calm as peaceful in both speaking and treatment with others. But at the same time, he could be on edge and lose his temper easily when picked around too much (guess we have that in common).
-"Dee Dee… please, I beg you" (pleaded Deepak already on the verge anxiousness while our smallest sister bit and chewed on his favorite toy). It was big brother time again.
I stepped on the room and Deepak quickly looked for my support with hopeful eyes. As I approached Dee Dee, I could already tell by her daring eyes she wanted to drag me to her little tugging game. However, I couldn't risk going there and get Mr. Groundhog torn to pieces in front of Deep, that would leave him heartbroken.
Seeing her going to the right made me stopped her on her tracks, and before she could make a run for it to the left, I jumped above her and then grabbed her by the back of her collar. It was game over for Dee Dee. As long as I kept her hanging in the air with my muzzle, she wasn't escaping anywhere.
-"Dee Dee, drop Mr. Groundhog" I told her and she complied rolling her eyes.
-"Mr. Groundhog! You're safe now!" (said Deepak relieved while hugging his plush toy affectively).
Once the issue was solved, I gently placed Dee Dee on the floor, who then looked sheepishly at me, already knowing that I wasn't going to let her go without a serious talk and an apology to Deepak.
-"Dee Dee, you know how important is Mr. Groundhog to Deepak. Why you took it away?" I asked her as she looked down to hide her own embarrassment.
-"Everyone is so busy with the moving I got really bored. Why do we have to move anyway?" (she stated, sounding a little upset by it).
-"O-oh!" I stuttered surprised. Really, I thought she was being boisterous again.
-"We have lived our lives here Dylan, and now mommy says we have to go to London. What about my friends here? What if I don't like that place?" (she asked me with genuine fear and concerned at the idea of us moving and leaving everything behind).
I laid next to her as I thought of a proper answer for a pup as young as her. All of us had just accepted it by this point, willingly or unwillingly, since mom had made it clear that the moving was official; and I believed she had managed to convince Dee Dee the other day. But now, seeing her like this, guess she's still too apprehensive to accept it.
-"Ummm... well, I heard there are nice parks in London" I said with a reassuring tone in hopes of persuading her a little.
-"Sniff, don't care" (she retorted back).
-"Aaand, we'll be sharing a house with another family of dalmatians".
-"Great, less time to play with me then..."
Truly she was making it hard for me. Guess when you're at that age you see it through your own perspective of things. I did wonder how would have been my reaction to the moving if I was her age. Chuckle, probably I would have had a nervous breakdown (Deepa's level for sure).
-"Well, I know something you don't. A big surprise" I stated playfully, which got her attention pretty quickly.
-"Sniff, what?"
-"That family of dalmatians I told you has a male pup about your same age, who's just as playful and energetic as you. I think that with those traits you two will become the best stepbrother and sister in the whole world and play hundreds of games together!"
Yes, I know I'm making this up with the little information mom gave us about Patch's family (something about she wanting to keep it as a surprise for all us). Still, I'd much rather have Dee Dee looking at me that brightly, as she was now, than being unsure and worried during the flight.
-"You-you mean it?!" (she asked me expectantly).
-"Like the day is long" I reassured her with a smile.
-"And you'll play with us too?!"
-"Ummm...yeah! We'll play tons of games..."
Not long have I said that, Dee Dee swiflty packed her remaining belongings in her backpack and stopped right in front me, genuinely excited, with her wagging tail.
-"I'm ready" (she told me happily).
-"I see that. But first, I think you owe someone an apology" I insisted, addressing to Deepak who was still with us.
-"Oh, yeah" (said Dee Dee before approaching her brother with the sweetest and most regretful face she always makes to get herself out of trouble)
-"Deepak...I'm sorry I stole your toy. Can you forgive me?"
I knew he was done for. Even I had to let her slide a couple of times because of it.
-" U-uhhhh... fine! I forgive you dear sister. As a wise human once said 'The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred'" (he recited just as Dee Dee hugged him affectionately).
-"Great! You two have solved your problems, now off you go with the others downstairs" I told them as I pushed the two out of the room with my head, urging them to leave. Finally, the coast was looking clear without most of my little siblings in the corridor. Only one more pup to help and then I could finish packing up too.
-"Ummm... Dylan? You're done helping the others?" spoke the voice of said pup, whom I was supposed to help before Deepak.
-"Coming!"
The last room to check belonged to one of my little brothers, Mack, a young Dalshep with visual disability, which might sound too troublesome if you're living in a big family like this one. It of course meant that some safety precautions needed to be taken, and some extra help was required if Mack was having trouble when finding his way.
-"Sigh, I'm here, little bro. What you need?" I asked him once I stood right in front of him.
-"You sound tired, did everyone give you that much trouble?" (he wondered curious as he looked at me naively with his white eyes).
-"Well, sorta, but nothing I can't handle".
-"Chuckle, I'm glad you helped Deepak and the others too. But mostly Deepak".
-"Guess that's my job as the eldest. But anyway, what is it that you want?"
-"Oh, you see, I'm trying to find my red sunglasses. But I can't seem to reach their case, maybe mom accidentally moved it away. Do you see it?" (he asked me for help, and I complied to his request).
After moving some small objects from the table away, I found Mack's sunglasses case and I gave it to him, but not before I put his glasses on, which made him smile at me.
-"Thanks Dylan. Guess that means we're all ready" (he added enthusiastically)
-"Yep! Everyone is already counted for. You, Dee Dee, Deepak..." I answered him while counting all of them one by one
-"Aren't you forgetting Smudge?" (he pointed out for me). That's right, I almost forget that scamp...
-"If you're looking for him, he's dozing off in that corner under those newspapers" (he commented while advising me to look there).
-"Thanks, bro. Now, wait downstairs with the others" I insisted since I didn't want him to be present for another lecturing of the day.
Mack was right, he was indeed trying to hide from me, and avoid what he most surely would say is a 'tedious' or 'dull' chore to do. Of all my little brothers, he was the most infuriating. Mainly due to how lazy, sleepy, or effortlessly he acted around the house. Well, I wasn't going to allow any of that, not when I finally had everything and everyone under control.
-"Cough" I said once and wait.
-"Cough!"
-"Umm? Oh... yawn, what do you want Dylan?" (he asked me drowsy)
-"You really are going to behave like that, today of all days".
-"Yawn, I don't know what you're talking about. This is how I am everyday. Besides, just hearing you yelling and running around is tiresome enough" (he said while trying to dismiss me with his moving paw).
-"You better wake up from that spot Smudge, or you'll know what's coming" I warned him seriously, yet he believed I was bluffing. Second time is the charm, but he disobeyed me once more. It was time to bring up the big guns.
-"Spice, Dee Dee! Playtime with Smudge!" I yelled from the door. Smudge immediately widened his eyes in true terror.
-"Wait!"
-"Oh, yeah! Let's go little sister!"
-"Yes, hahaha!"
Soon, the two were all over him non-stop, forcing Smudge to be on a sitting position as he tried to withstand their rough games. He even made a complaint remark of their boisterous energy, until he decided he had enough and finally gave in to my orders.
-"Fine... I'll be done in some minutes" (he groaned displeased). I cheekily nodded at him and walked off to my room.
Sigh! At last, some alone time for me (and much needed in fact). Without the hassle from outside, I could focus more on packing my last belongings. Space watch, toothbrush, personal soap, Dippy (my Diplodocus plush), books for the flight, London's latest tourist guide and, my most personal possession of all, a picture of mom and me when I was a little pup. Many years had passed since that moment, when it was just her and me. Then our small family started to grow bigger gradually. So many memories and unforgettable stories we all lived in this house. Sob...sob...it's just...so hard for me to let go!
-"Dylan! Mom's here!" cried Dawkins's voice from below, calling me.
PART 2 of 4