PAW Patrol: Stepping Stones

(C1) First Impressions

The hot summer sun blazed against the small town of Adventure Bay, lighting up any buildings within its reach without any need for electricity. The outside world was bustling with life, just about everyone was enjoying the warm weather and the freedom of no longer having to suffer through school. Families were out on vacations, friends had gotten together to do whatever their hearts desired. With such little restraints at this time of year, what to do in a day was purely left up to one's imagination.

But on the inside of a large, red tower by a cliffside near the edge of the town, there sat a thirteen-year-old boy and the German Shepherd puppy he had rescued from the harshness of the city a few months before. The pup was a little under half a year old—still practically a child in the eyes of anyone who might come across him, regardless of species.

Despite the beautiful day beyond the walls of their home, the boy sat on his bed, looking down and waiting in anticipation while the pup nervously paced back and forth on the floor. Truth be told, he couldn't exactly say he was surprised by this situation, the shepherd had been pretty nervous about the whole thing ever since it was brought up.

"Chase, I promise that they're very nice pups, I'm sure you three will get along perfectly," he insisted, referring to the two puppies waiting on the other side of the door. He had adopted them both about an hour earlier—and he wasn't given much of a choice of how many to take considering they both refused to go with him unless the other came with them. At the time, he really only wanted to adopt one, just to warm Chase up to having a roommate, but the second puppy looked too scared and helpless without their second part for him to split them up forever.

"B-but, Sir, what if they don't like me?" The boy sighed and leaned over, gently scratching the pup's head. Even if his tail was still frozen with nervousness, the small dog froze from the soft pets, momentarily glancing up for long enough to see the compassion on his owner's face. The boy had already met the two puppies, and he trusted his owner with his life, yet making those connections turned out to be easier said than done.

All he knew about them was that they were pretty close to his own age, only a month younger at the most. And while initially, he had been all for having more of his own species living with them, the heat in the moment emotions always seemed to be the opposite of what one was originally feeling.

"I told you that you didn't have to call me sir. And besides, bud, they really wanna meet you, you were pretty much all they asked about when they got here. They also lived in the city before they were rescued by the shelter, I think you'll have a lot in common with each other." This seemed to grab Chase's attention, successfully getting him to tilt his head in a bit of interest. All things considered, this could've very well been just another act out of instinct without any real thinking put into it, but hey, it was something.

"Wait, really? They're like me?" he curiously asked, getting a steady nod from the boy. Now, the shepherd was without a doubt good-hearted, and he would never wish having to live on the streets on his worst enemy, but a bit of common ground felt promising. It certainly didn't mean it would be his go-to conversation starter, that was the last thing he should do if he wanted to start off on the right foot. However, that small bit of relatability between them might always come in handy.

"Yes, they also used to be strays, but they seem kinda sensitive about it, so I wouldn't bring it up for now. But anyway, do you think you're ready?" Even if he was pretty sure that he was just lying to himself for comfort, the pup nodded softly, shuffling in front of the door In anticipation. Ryder grinned and jumped off the bed—knowing full well that if he didn't act now, his pup would probably change his mind. Before any of that could happen, he reached out to open the gateway to their new permanent roommates and hopefully friends.