Chapter 1

Welcome to the Jungle

Rex and Jura were riding together in the Paw patroller. It was an awkward situation with their owner having to hold onto them to make sure they didn't skid around too much. This vehicle was not designed with paraplegic pups in mind, and while the Dino patroller had been, Rex was insistent that Jura take the wheelchair seat instead of him. Regardless, it had been an awkward trip for Dr. Turbot because for both legs of the journey, she had to keep her hand around at least one of her two pups to keep them from sliding around.

At last! They arrived, and Carlos was waiting there for them. As everyone got out, Rex and Jura began to get themselves acquainted with Tracker. Rex, especially, wanted to meet Tracker because of how similar he had heard they were.

As the dogs interacted, their owner discussed everything Carlos would need to know to take care of his two guests. After Dr. Turbot handed him a pill bottle Carlos made a personal note to himself to check in with Maria about how to give pills.

"Oh, he has Asperger's, like Rocky, right? The doctor nodded.

"Also, both of them have a premature sexuality," explained the doctor.

"All right," said Carlos with a faint hesitation, "what do I need to know about that?" he asked.

"Not too much, they're not interested in too much more than touching, but I felt you should be aware of this in any case.

"I see…." responded Carlos cautiously. "Anything else I should know?"

"No, that should be all," answered the doctor.

After saying their goodbyes, Ryder left with the doctor.

As the pups began to play with each other, Carlos quickly called Maria.

"Buenos noches, Carlos," she greeted.

"Buenos noches," he greeted. "One of my two guests takes pills, and I was wondering if I could come down to the shop tomorrow, and you could show me how to give them," he explained.

"Sure," she responded.

"Also, both of our guests have a premature sexuality, I believe it is less extreme than we see with our Pups, but I just thought it would be wise for you to be informed of this," he extrapolated.

"I see," said Maria, cautiously "in that case, can you come down alone when I show you how to do it tomorrow?"

Carlos nodded, and the two hung up.

Meanwhile, back on the drive home, Dr. Turbot suddenly realized "We forgot to mention about which way their 'tails wag'."

"Probably won't be too big of a deal," reassured Ryder.

Back in the jungle, the other three pups had been playing, although Carlos noticed that Rex seemed less engaged than his stepbrother. Fortunately for him, Jura had also noticed this, and had begun to inquire about it.

"What's wrong Rex?" he asked.

"Nothing," he insisted.

"We both know that isn't true, Rex," responded Jura. "So, what's this really about Rex?"

Rex let out a sigh and began to explain. "I was really excited to meet Tracker because of how similar I heard we both were, but you're having a much better time engaging with him. It is just kind of off-putting," confessed Rex.

"Hey Rex," began Jura, "do you remember that conversation you had with Rocky? The one where he said that thing about how you think like he does instead of the way most pups do? Well, this is the opposite, Tracker thinks the way I do as opposed to the way you and Rocky do. If it makes you feel better, you and Rocky understand each other in a way I never could. I seriously doubt Tracker is trying to exclude you in any way."

"Oy yoy yoy," interrupted Tracker. "I swear, I didn't mean to make you feel left out mi amigo!"

"See Rex, there's nothing personal. Nobody's trying to exclude you," explained his stepbrother.

Carlos smiled at the sight of the 3 pups resolving this like big dogs.

"Now Rex, let's put this behind us," added Jura before kissing him.

While the two pups enjoyed each other's warm embrace, the kiss drew wide eyed looks from both the remaining pup and his owner.

"Oh," thought Carlos.