Changing Paths-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Four

Dom woke up to the sound of Chase's voice. "Time to wake up," Chase said. He had his uniform on, but his paw was still in a cast. But other than that, Chase seemed like himself.

Dom opened his eyes to Chase staring at him. "Good morning, Chase," Dom said as he yawned. 

"Good Morning," Chase said. "Ryder prepared our breakfast already if you wanna go over there."

"Okay," Dom said. Chase walked past, and Dom stretched.

Dom walked out of the puphouse and turned to his right. On his walk to the front doors of the Lookout, he passed Marshall's, Skye's, and Chase's puphouse, which were vacant. Dom also saw the Paw Patroller parked in front of the Lookout. He guessed that Chase came to a decision.

Dom wondered who got chosen. He guessed it was either Marshall or Rocky. Marshall was Chase's best friend and brother, and Marshall was as strong as Chase. Marshall was also the same height as Chase. Rocky was the smartest on the team. If there were a problem, Rocky could solve it quickly.

Dom entered the Lookout and walked to his right. Ryder sat at a table, eating cereal. In front of him, seven pup bowls were in two rows. The bowls on the right belonged to Marshall, Chase, and Skye. The ones on the left were for Zuma, Rocky, Rubble, and lastly, Dom. Marshall, Skye, and Rubble, who barely walked in, were already eating.

Dom began eating when Chase walked in with Rocky and Zuma to his sides. All three walked over to their bowls and ate their breakfast.

"How did you pups sleep?" Ryder asked.

"Good," the seven pups said in unison. When they realized it, they all laughed.

Ryder chuckled. "Good. Well, as you may have noticed, the Paw Patroller is outside, ready to go." Ryder looked at Chase. "Chase, have you chosen who will go in your place?"

Chase took a deep breath. He scanned over the pups as if he was barely making his decision. Everyone was looking at either Marshall or Rocky, who were looking at each other.

Chase sat up straight. "I have, Ryder, sir," he said. "Dom will go in my place."

For a long minute, the entire roof was quiet, except for a whistle of the wind coming through the doors. Everyone just looked from Dom to Chase and back to Dom. Chase and Ryder looked at each other like they were having a silent conversation.

Eventually, Dom broke the silence. "Wait, me?!" He asked. He was confused by the decision. "Why me? Why not someone else?"

"Dom," Ryder said. "Chase was wise in picking you."

Dom looked at Chase, who nodded reassuringly. "Chase, can I talk to you in private?" he asked.

"Sure," Chase replied, despite the uneasy looks he was getting from the others.

Dom and Chase walked outside of hearing range. "What's wrong, Dom?" Chase asked.

"Why did you choose me?" Dom asked.

"Because I felt you were the best choice. I have been thinking so since last night."

"What about Marshall? Or Rocky? Or anyone else?"

"Well, I wasn't going to choose Skye or Rubble or Zuma," Chase explained. "There's the youngest and smallest pups on the team. I wasn't going to put them in that position."

"But even they have more experience than me?"

"Exactly, Dom. Barkingburg will be the perfect place to learn."

"But what about Marshall or Rocky? They could do a much better job than me."

"Look, Dom. I chose you because I could sense that you want a way to prove yourself. You don't go on many missions, so you feel left out, useless, not skilled enough for big missions."

Dom wanted to protest, but Chase was right. Dom felt like he didn't do as much as he could. He wanted a way to show that he was capable of more. It wasn't much to prove himself to the others but himself.

"But a second chance means going on more missions here in town," Dom said. "Protecting a crown is a huge step-up."

"I trust that you'll be fine," Chase comforted.

"And Sweetie?"

"Shouldn't be much of a problem," Chase responded. "Last time we were there, she helped us against the Duke of Flappington. Sweetie's not an evil pup. She looks for attention, which leads her to trouble. That's all."

Dom thought about it. "Do you truly think I'll be fine?"

"Dom, I wouldn't have chosen you if I didn't. And if anything goes wrong, that will be on me. Not you."

Dom wanted to believe Chase. Chase always did what he thought was best for the team, making him a great leader. Chase never made quick decisions. He thinks them through before going through with it.

"Okay," Dom said. "I'll do it."

"Thanks, Dom," Chase said. "I appreciate it."

Ryder walked up to the two pups. "So?" he asked. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is okay," Chase replied.

"And you, Dom?" Ryder asked. "You up for the mission."

"Yeah," Dom responded. "I am."

"Okay, that's good to hear. We'll be leaving in an hour. Gather some stuff that you want to take."

"Okay, Ryder," Dom said. Dom walked into his puphouse and gathered some stuff. He put on his uniform and headed out. He waited for a while inside the Lookout, watching the television with the pups until Ryder called him.

"Dom, Robo-Dog is set and ready to go," Ryder said. "Are you?"

"Yes, sir," Dom said as he got up.

"Goodbye," said Skye, Rubble, and Marshall.

"Good luck," Zuma and Rocky said.

"You got this," Chase said. "See ya."

"Thanks, guys," Dom said. "See ya tomorrow."

Dom and Ryder got into the Paw Patroller. Ryder sat in the front seat, and Dom sat on the couch. A folded suit was next to Dom. It was black with light gray and blue lines, with a bowtie sitting on it. Ryder turned in his seat to face Dom. "A courtesy of Chase. It's his first suit from when he first went to Barkingburg. I adjusted it to fit your colors and fit you better."

Dom was suddenly excited for Barkingburg. The Paw Patroller drove off, and Dom took the suit and put it on. It fit him perfectly. "It's awesome, Ryder," Dom said. "Thanks."

"You're welcome, Dom," Ryder said. "But there are some things you should know about the suit. I'll show you on the way."