Author's specifications:

Words in bold: Timeline events

Words in italic: Flashback/alternative events

Brisbane, Queensland

March 24th, 2012

Will the defendant please rise?

Echoed the judge's voice through the small, cramped courtroom. Following his instructions, both the young teen and his attorney rose from their seats as they awaited for the verdict.

Among the dogs present in the gallery was everybody's favorite teacher, Calypso, in her young adult years, bearing a deep concerning expression on her face. A distant relative of hers was facing charges for robbery and aggravated assault with firearm, even though he wasn't armed by the time he and his friends broke into the store to steal from it.

No doubt that decision he took saved his life from serving in an adult prison after many repeated minor offenses over the course of his twelve years of misbehavior. Still and all, the judge ordered the young Blue Merle Australian Shepherd to be sent to a youth detention center and complete a full-reeducation program.

"I'm sorry, Calypso" said her best friend Margot, a female Goldendoodle, whilst comforting her affectively; all while the sad teacher and the troubled boy exchanged one last look-eye to eye-before parting ways.

Today's episode is titled:

-Reunion-

Present time

Days like this were exceptionally hard to swallow, especially if you were in the position of a certain Blue Merle Australian Shepherd, now a middle-aged dog. For years she watched over several groups of little kids, whom she held very fondly in her heart, coming to her school and leaving once completed their first course of study.

Today was no different. Another class of young pups she had the honor of teaching their first six to seven years of childhood, before being entrusted to Hudson, a male Australian Cattle Dog that taught in another facility close to Glass House, were about to give their very important step to the next stage of their lives; that being secondary school.

Part of her still felt compelled to accompany each of them in their journey to the end, like any responsible parent would do. But the other half was aware she couldn't take that role from their real parental figures, and that they themselves would have to face whatever obstacle they may encounter along the way. Just as she was supposed to do in three hours from now on.

-"Calypso, are you in there?" asked Hudson's voice in a hushed tone after peeking out into her office. And just like he imagined, he found the Australian Shepherd he was looking for.

-"The parents and the kids are starting to arrive" he added as he approached her quietly from behind since she wasn't looking at him at all.

By the time the male teacher stood next to her, he noticed why Calypso was so unresponsive towards him. In her delicate white paws, she lovingly held a portrait of one her class groups; more specifically, the one where Bluey and the rest of her schoolmates were present. This was all in carrying Glass House tradition of displaying the class picture during the diploma awarding ceremony.

-"They grow so fast, don't ya think?" spoke Hudson softly as he too brought up his version of the class group portrait, where all pups have reached adolescence and were ready to continue their education in a secondary school.

-"Indeed, they do" replied Calypso while wiping some tears off her eyes.

-"It's a shame Pretzel isn't here to celebrate with his friends" she mentioned, recalling the amicable brown Chihuahua from her picture, who sadly parted ways with them after finishing his first years of primary school.

-"I'd would have liked to have him in my class too. Fortunately, his empty spot was filled by Gruber" he reassured her while pointing in his picture-with his dark brown paw-a happy teen German Shepherd, who quickly befriended Rusty and the rest of the boys of the class.

-"They are a very lively group" she pointed out, both happily and a tad nostalgic.

-"Like all the pups under your tuition, teacher" he added with a grinning expression, revealing that he too was once a student of hers some years ago.

Outside Glass House Primary school, on the vast green hills permeating the area, both children and adults were having a pleasant time together, either by having delicious snacks or by chatting among themselves, as they waited for the diploma awarding ceremony. By now, almost everyone was accounted for; from the Kelpies to the Terriers, all twelve families could be seen already gathered.

-"And I told him, you better not be pulling my leg here, mate. But he kept hounding me all day!" said Gruber's dad as he was entertaining some of the children's fathers with his stories, those being Bandit, Frank (Chloe's dad), Marcus (Honey's dad), and making an appearance was Cooper (Snickers' dad); a black and tan Dachshund, who works as an electrical linedog.

Amidst the conversating adults, both male and female, the future fourteen secondary-school students (plus Bingo, Dusty and Lulu), had managed to procure for themselves a small place, not too far from their parents, since they also wanted to talk about their own personal things and experiences learned thus far.

-"Isn't it great, guys? In a few months, we'll all be going to secondary school!" spoke up Rusty Kelpie, very optimistic and excited for the life in high school he was going to have with all his friends from childhood. Everyone else besides him (minus the three young ones) also voiced their excitement in unison.

-"I'm so nervous and happy that I can hardly sleep every night" commented Chloe with her tail wagging out of her pretty pink dress.

-"I get what you mean. I already have my notebooks, highlighters, sticky notes, tab dividers…" said Bluey, enumerating each and every one of the schools supplies she had on her possession.

-"She talks about secondary school everyday…" stated Bingo teasingly a little by making an obvious annoyed voice.

-"*Gasp* I do not!"

-"Yes, you do" she reaffirmed this, rolling her eyes, before resuming her children's game with Dusty, Lulu and Winton.

-"I speak for Bingo when I said it's true. Last time I visited her, we talked more about it than Miss Kanine last number" expressed Honey playfully at Bluey's expense.

-"Oh my gosh! I just read it last night and it was awesome! I can't wait to see the next part when she kicks Mongrel's ugly butt" replied the eager Blue Heeler.

-"At least you're well-prepared, Bluey. Maybe you can help Mackenzie too, he's been very carefree these days" mentioned Rusty jokingly while pointing at the Border Collie with the chocolate brown suit and black bowtie.

-"Hey, I'm just enjoying the free time I have as much as I can, here" he swiftly excused himself with a happy laugh.

-"Ohoh! I'd love that! I'll be happy to help you in choosing your school supplies, Kenzie!" stated Bluey beamingly at him, which made the Border Collie smile tenderly at her.

-"Th-thanks, Bluey, but I'll be fine, really" he replied sheepishly as he avoided making eye contact with her.

Amidst the chatter and laughs, Jack Russell, Rusty's best friend, noticed how Indy, the Afghan Hound in a beautiful green dress with long sleeves and full skirt, kept looking at repeated intervals to the talking adults, as if she was expecting to see someone among them.

-"Indy? Is something wrong?" he asked, genuinely concerned about her unusual attitude. And sure enough, those around instantly focused their attention on the reticent hound.

After some hesitation and a little fidgeting, Indy finally gave in to that sole curiosity shared by her group of friends. It had nothing to do with anything bad going on, she made sure to clear this out for them. Contrary to their assumption, the young Afghan Hound reassured them by telling she'd just been excited for her father's arrival since the day before.

-"Y-your dad's coming?!" spat Rusty shocked, almost choking on his juice.

Not having a father figure around was a feeling both Rusty and Indy shared in common. She confided this to everyone shortly after they began their intermediate studies. From his side, it was a matter about fulfilling his job for the military and the country, but from Indy's side it was all different. Her dad spent most of his time traveling around the world helping and teaching dogs living in very poor conditions; a very noble act from Rusty's point of view. However, he certainly had second thoughts about meeting her dad, especially since he and Indy have gotten really close these last months.

-"Indy!" exclaimed Indy's mom from afar, urging her daughter to go where she was. Immediately, the young girl's face brightened up as she stood up from her seat.

-"Coming, mom!" she replied happily. But just before she was out of sight, Indy quickly returned and grabbed Rusty by the paw.

-"Come on, Rusty, I want you to meet my dad" she pledged while the nervous Kelpie wanted nothing more than remain out of sight.

-"Wh-wha?! No, Indy, it's fine! I don't want to interrupt you two" he stammered worriedly as he lightly fought back against her. To his misfortune, Mackenzie-who wanted a little payback for pinning Bluey to him-looked at Gruber and Snickers for backup. The three mischievous dogs soon hoisted Rusty up, forcing him walk with Indy holding on to their paws.

-"You-you, guys, are so dead! I'm gonna get even, Mackenzie!" he threatened the Border Collie over his shoulder as the two young lovers walked away from the group.

-"Careful, Rusty. You don't want to get on Indy's dad bad side" he teased him as the others, including Jack, chuckled lightheartedly at the Kelpie's expense.

-"I'm happy for them" commented Coco, the pink Poodle in a cerulean dress, feeling enthralled by their love story.

-"They do make a nice couple" restated Chloe, daydreaming about her own ideal relationship, whilst Bluey and Honey shared funny faces behind their two friends' back. It wasn't that they dislike boys, but they certainly avoided mushiness at all cost.

-"I just hope we get to meet new faces in secondary" added Coco to the subject, much to Snickers' dismay.

-"Are we really going to talk about this all day…?" he asked, sounding clearly bored.

-"Well, what do you expect to do when we get there?" she replied back, showing interest to know about his future school plans.

-"Easy! To have the best average, then I'll pursue a career at news reporting" he answered with his tail wagging as the others wowed impressed.

-"Sweet, mate! I will for sure tune in everyday when that happens" spoke up Gruber, the newest member of the group.

-"What about you, Gruber?" continued Coco.

-"I heard Rotherfurd high has some awesome sport teams, and I'm planning to join all of them if I can!" declared the brown German Shepherd proudly.

-"Oh! Lucky is also planning the same, and Rusty too! But I think he wants to join the cricket team only" commented Bluey unsure, until Jack nodded at her in approval.

More dogs began to arrive at this point, including Chilli, her sister, and the latter's family. No sooner than that, Mark also joined the young ones in their game. But both Bingo and Winton wanted a little rest from all the hassle, that's when the Terriers stood in to relieve them.

-"Thanks, Terriers" sighed the Red Heeler relieved while taking a seat with her older sister and the other teens.

-"No problem!" replied the triplets in unison.

-"The Terriers are really good with children. I heard they even have their own babysitting business on their street" mentioned Winton as he too sat down.

-"Who would've thought!" said Coco, sounding quite impressed by their feat.

-"We've been talking about the things we're going to do in secondary. What are your plans, Winton?" asked Bluey this time around.

-"Me? Ummm…" pondered the English bulldog a little with his right paw over his muzzle.

-"Surviving I guess" he replied both casually and very straightforward.

The plainness of his answer was well-received with the light laughs from the others. For some reason, the stocky build canine always found his way to entertain not just little dogs, but also slightly older ones as well. A good fella with a kind heart.

-"Here you are, kids" stated Hudson's voice the moment he and Calypso approached them.

-"I believe it's time we get ourselves ready for the graduation ceremony" she added tenderly at the young graduates, who eagerly voiced their excitement as they rushed to Glass House to get their gowns and hats; whilst Bingo and the kids reunited with their families. But just as the teachers tagged along with them, Calypso's phone started ringing.

-"Go ahead" she instructed her former student, who nodded at her understandingly. Then she answered the call by the time Hudson turned around.

-"Yes?"

-"Mrs. Calypso? It's me, Loretta. Margot's daughter" spoke a young adult Goldendoodle by the phone.

-"Oh, hi, Loretta. Did something happen?"

-"What? Nono, everything's fine, now! I just called to let you know I'm at the center".

-"*Sigh*, good. And once again, I'm sorry you had to do this for me…"

-"It's no problem. My mom and you have been very good friends over the years. It's the least I can do. Oh! I think he's coming out… yes! He is" she informed over to the Australian Shepherd as a 16-year-old male, Blue Merle Australian Shepherd, came out of the facility carrying nothing but a worn duffle bag on his right shoulder.

-"I'm going to wave at him, so he can see me".

-"Yes. And please, take care of him as I arrive".

-"For sure! I'll see you in a few hours. Bye!"

-"Yes...be seeing you"


Thanks for the favs and follows! Much appreciated :D Keep them coming.