The Unfortunate Dog Life of Maxwell Foxhound (Proof Copy for Review)

Chapter Six: Connecticut

"Get erf of me!" Apricot screeched as loud as she could as she was squished between the dog and the ground.

Maxwell bit the legs of the dog, and it yelped, jumping off of them. When it ran off, they both realized that it was none other than Tangerine Chow.

"Ugh, filthy Chow Chow, that dog is," Apricot mumbled, shaking her fur as if she was a wet dog that finished its bath.
Maxwell merely replied with, "Yeah."

"Are you sure that you're okay?" Apricot inquired. "Do we need more food? Where should we go?"

"We should, just, leave this place," Maxwell suggested.

"Why?" Apricot inquired.

"Because this state is full of bad memories of mine and I hate it here; Doctor Tuffin is never coming back anyway, right?"

"I agree." Apricot sighed after those two words. She only wanted the best for Maxwell.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think that Rhode Island is the best place. Connecticut will be a great way to get away from this all; including Tangerine."

"Maxwell, look. I'm sorry... I should've been saying this a long time ago, but, I'm sorry for... well, not realizing what Tangerine was doing was wrong," Apricot confessed, and Maxwell stared at her blankly.

"No, I understand. It was his fault for trapping you in his cage of love and charisma," he replied generously. "I was for a minute, then I realized that he was trying to take my love away from me."

"Aww, Max! You're so sweet!" Apricot cooed admirably, brushing his shoulder with her own.

"Likewise."

"Oh, is it fine if I call you Max?" Apricot quickly checked, instantly looking like she regretted it.

"Totally!" Maxwell reassured her gleefully, whacking flies with his tail. The sun smiled at him, the warm rays of sunlight lighting up his tri-colored fur coat. They walked along the abandoned roads that were hidden underneath a thick layer of dirt and dust, grass growing in between each little crack. He could even feel himself getting exhausted. Even though it was bright out, it felt like the day had already passed and was moving on to the evening.

"Looks like no rain today," Apricot said out of the blue. In fact, as blue as the sky. Now that Maxwell thought of it, it did look clear outside. No clouds or signs of rain and thunder at all. Well, that is, in Valley Falls.

"Yeah. At least there's that," he replied awkwardly, and Apricot nodded rapidly. Maxwell awkwardly tipped his head up and looked at the blindingly bright sky.

"Hey, are you alright, love?"

Apricot's concerned, warm face made Maxwell confess reluctantly. "No, I'm still upset about my whole family being gone."

"Well, I'm here, if you ever need me. I'll be your family," Apricot murmured. Her voice was barely audible, but Maxwell heard what she had said.

"Aww, Apricot, you're just the sweetest dog that I've ever met," Maxwell replied unexpectedly, and he licked her face profusely.

"Er...thank you, Maxwell. That means a lot to me."

"I know it does."

The two love dogs walked and passed by multiple, snarling dogs before they made it into Lonsdale, Rhode Island. It was there when they were fed scraps of meat and nuts. Water bowls for dogs were set out in the outdoor seating area of a restaurant. Apricot and Maxwell both made the daring move to jump the short, black fence and drink some water. Shortly after, they were kicked out.