Hey everyone, here's a new update…I hope you enjoy it!

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Chapter 10: Father and Son

Not too long afterward the girls and I sat down and ate dinner with the Heelers; however, soon came the time for Bluey, Bingo and I to say goodbye to Muffin, Socks and their parents. Muffin and Socks were about to leave the door, but they turned around and waved back to me:

"It was nice meeting you, Dustin!" Muffin said wholeheartedly.

"Bye Dust!" Socks added.

"Likewise" I responded, waving back before the family finally left.

Later that night, Bluey and Bingo get ready for bed as I talk to Chili in the kitchen…helping the mother clean the dishes, "appreciate the help, Dustin" she said while I finished wiping a plate, "just doing my part" I smiled.

"Stripe and Trixie said their daughters had a great time."

I nodded, "they were guests, I didn't want to be a bad influence."

The orange Heeler set down a plate she was about to clean and turned toward me, looking down, "if what you say about yourself is true. You'll make an outstanding father."

I look away, nodding. I finished my share of the dishes and I stepped away slightly, "I do want to be a role model for my family. I just didn't think I could ever wear a tutu for them until today."

She had burst out laughing at that part, especially after she was reminded of what Bluey and I told her what we did in the playroom, "I can't tell you how many times I've seen Bandit put on makeup or a dress for the girls" she explained as I chuckled. Chili continued, crouching down to be at eye level with me, "it takes a lot of courage to do what's right for our families and ourselves. What you did today for them shows how far you're willing to go to make them happy" she brought me into a hug as I silently murmured in her ear, "thanks Chili" I smiled before we moved away finally.

A few minutes afterward, I head to my room; however, on my way, I see Bandit leaving Bluey/Bingo's bedroom and he manages to catch sight of me, "how's it going kiddo?"

"Pretty tired" I admitted, "being a seven-year-old again is harder than I remember."

"I hear 'ya" Heeler laughed, walking towards me before crouching down to be eye level to me. The forty-something-year-old looked as though he was proud of me (something I didn't know how to feel. After all, he isn't my father, but I still felt that aura from him whenever we had these conversations.)

"The kids were just talking about you, Dustin."

"Oh yeah?" I chuckled before he stood up again and patted me on the back lightly. We began walking down the hallway, "I can tell they're getting more and more comfortable around you…just…be careful around 'em, please, kiddo."

I nodded, understanding his statement. I guess he was thinking of how I might act around them seeing as though I'm not really a kid (hell, I'm not THAT far away from Bandit's age group!) I didn't want him to think maybe I might somehow accidentally say or do something I shouldn't do, and I understand wholeheartedly.

"I get it. I always have to stop myself and think carefully about what to say. It's just so weird…my mind gets so confused sometimes…it can't figure out if it wants to stay thirty-one or seven years old half of the time!"

He sighed, "it must be difficult, I reckon."

"Trust me, Bandit…you and Chili gave me a chance…I'm not giving it up. I'm NOT going to mess up and be a BAD influence on your family, I refuse to be."

Once we had reached the guest room, he looked down with a proud look running down his face. I went in and tucked myself in bed as the Blue Heeler stood by the door and was about to turn off the lights and leave; however, the anthropomorphic canine stopped himself…thinking about what to do tomorrow."

"We ough'ta play catch tomorrow, mate" he suggested.

I didn't know what to think…what does this imply? Am I overthinking it or is Bandit treating me like I'm his child now? Again, I didn't know what to make of it.

"Just a suggestion" he said as I'm pulled out of my momentary thought, but I was soon distracted by a new thought. I thought about the time I spent with Dad…and soon I looked up to see Bandit. I sighed before finally letting him know, "me and my father always did stuff together…but playing catch wasn't one of those things…kind of wish I did that with him now that I think about it." I gave a soft smile, finally welcoming his invitation, "I'm keen" I said in my Aussie voice.

"Great! Get some rest, squirt…see you tomorrow!" Bandit said before turning off the lights. I nodded in darkness (I don't need a night light, I'm an adult after all, he-he!) and I soon closed my eyes to sleep.

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The next day comes around and it's just Bandit and me in the house for the day. Chili Heeler took Bluey and her sister to go shopping as I helped Bandit around the house (namely with laundry.) By the time we're done, it is early afternoon and he grabbed a reddish ball (it's similar in design to a football, American Football that is.)

We are now in the backyard, and I stand across from the Cattle dog as he throws the ball into play. I keep my eye on it, watching it fall back to earth. I begin running backward to catch it on time. Bandit watches (smile widening, tail wagging) as I jump at the last second and manage to grasp the ball on time before it hits the floor.

"There 'ya go, champ!" He said before I attempted to throw it back at him; however, I didn't consider two things: one…I wasn't as strong as I was as an adult male and two…he is pretty far from me right now. Consequently, the red ball ended up falling to the ground not even halfway to the adult Heeler. He could see the frustration on my face and the father acted quickly as a result to cheer me up.

"No worries" he rushed over, picking it up, "we'll just play closer to each other, sound good?" I nodded in agreement before we moved closer to one another and continued. It made a difference for sure: the ball is now easier to throw to him than before, but inside I felt frustrated that I couldn't throw as far as I would in my human body (not to mention I got exhausted easier)…oh well…

As time goes by, I start to pant, wiping sweat off my head. I had to sit down for a minute, "this dog form does NOT like me…" Bandit walked over to me, lightly patting me on the back as he crouched, "wanna quit?"

I looked up at him and shook my head, chuckling between my exhausted breaths at him, "are you kidding? I'm having so much fun right now!" I had to admit.

The other dog snickered at my comment, handing me the red ball to throw at him as he nodded. I grinned mischievously, throwing it as hard as I could, and it actually flew above his head! The canine ran to catch it but missed…falling flat on his stomach. I winced…that had to hurt…

I ran to him and he laughed, smiling sheepishly as he turned to face me. Something in me had me giggling at the sight before me just before I covered my snout with my paws.

"Oh my…that came out of me…" I said in embarrassment. Bandit Heeler stood up and shrugged, "don't worry yourself, Dustin. Just enjoy it, mate."

I decided to follow his advice, and we continued: enjoying the same simple game of catch…me and Bandit were playing (tongue out and everything I might add.)

Eventually, we hear a voice on the other side of the fence which startles me a bit, "hey Bandit!"

"G'day Pat!"

The blue dog waved at the other adult male across the fence: their fur is bright yellow…similar to that kid (Lucky is his name) I had met in the cul-de-sac days ago. I had officially met them (the father and son) not too long ago while playing with Bluey and Bingo. Sure enough, I see a head pop up into view: it's Lucky, Pat's son.

"Hi, Dustin!" Lucky waved before I waved back.

"What you up to?" The adult lab asked before I stepped in, "playing catch."

"Oh, can we join?" The smaller yellow canid requested before the father said yes.

And so, they jump the fence and join us in the Heeler backyard…it's the four of us now, so we decided to play two versus two to make things more interesting. The rules were simple: each team needs to take the ball to the opposite end: similar to American Football or Rugby (but we're just tagging each other.) For now, it's me and Bandit vs. Pat and Lucky. Lucky's father kicks the ball into play and his son, and I begin by running across the backyard to catch the descending spherical object.

"I got it, I got it!" The small lab exclaimed, almost getting the ball, but I jumped in the way and managed to catch it before he could!

"Over 'ere, Dustin!" I heard Bandit call out across from me as I started running the opposite way with Lucky hot on my tail! He's trying so hard to tag me, but I manage to dodge him every time. I finally threw the red ball just as the seven-year-old yellow Labrador tackled me! As my face is squished against the grass, I can barely see Bandit Heeler catching the ball and evading Pat (who soon yells in pain from stepping forward the wrong way.)

"Ah, uh…I've done my hammy!"

At the same time, the adult Heeler managed to score a point and he threw the ball down on the ground and celebrated by doing a silly dance.

"Nice, very nice!" I barked in excitement as Lucky got off me. As his father recovered from his injury, he hopped toward us both to lightly scold his son.

"Lucky, mate, remember we're playing tag. Dustin's a girl, you gotta be careful."

I stood up, wiping off dirt from my fur before I smiled in response to them. "It's alright, really" I laughed to distill any tense air just as Bandit joined our circle, "Dustin's stronger than she looks" the blue canine admitted.

We decided to switch teams afterward: now it's Pat and I versus Bandit and Lucky. It went about as smoothly as you'd expect. Pat is having a hard time since his "hammy" kept acting up every move he made, so we had a hard time against the other two.

"I'm open, Bluey's dad!"

"You got it, kiddo" the forty-something-year-old exclaimed, throwing the ball to the young Labrador. I can't intercept it on time and as a result, the former managed to catch it. "Good one" I said, commending the other kid before we did a handshake.

The four of us continued uninterrupted until eventually, we heard Bluey and her sister (with Chili) inside the house. We ultimately decided to break apart since it's getting late. We said farewell to Lucky and Pat, and Bandit and I watched the two hop the fence and return home.

"Nice day, eh?" I heard Mr. Heeler ask as he suddenly rubbed a paw on my fuzzy head. I pulled away as I snickered in response, "yeah, yeah. If I didn't know any better…you're treating me a lot as if I you're your son…"

Bandit just jokingly shrugged before we decided to join the other members of his family inside. As we make it there, I am lost in thought once again: that WAS a good time…I had a lot of fun, but it still felt weird to me. Bandit has certainly grown accustomed to having me around…is he thinking that maybe: there isn't much time left to spend with me? I suppose he never had a son and having me around is having this effect on him. I guess in that moment…where we were playing alone (and eventually with his neighbors) it did feel wholesome as if we were family…as if we ARE father and son. I guess I should appreciate it, it's the least I can do for him.

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That chapter took a while to write, oof! Either way, that's the tenth chapter of the story: more to come later as time goes by. Take care!