House of Canine: Tales of a Next Life (Paw Patrol )

Pups In: Winner Winner, Missing Dinner (2)

"What in the world do you mean Ryder's acting weird?" Katie asked for the umpteenth time since the group got here. 

Marshall groaned in frustration and rolled his eyes. "I MEAN, RYDER. IS ACTING. WEIRD!!"

"Jeez, gotcha" she mumbled, not wanting to provoke the rescue pup any further. She pulled her glossy yellow phone from a pocket in her overalls. "Why don't I give him a call?"

He exhaled loudly and his shoulders relaxed. "Yeah, I think that's a good idea"

The droll beeping noise came as usual, Skye secretly pleading that he didn't pick up at all. Sadly, the line clicked and Katie stood up straighter.

"Ryder, hey!" she grinned. The pups edged closer towards her, ears high up, in an attempt to hear him.

"Oh! The lemon squares? Still in the fridge right about now. Why'd you ask though?"

Lemon squares? Rocky pondered. Why is he asking about Lemon squares all of a sudden?

"Ahh, sure. But I'd have to bring them tomorrow. They're still very sloppy and lemon-y" she replied with a chuckle.

Katie was quiet for some time and then her eyes widened slightly.

"What? What did he say?", Skye shout-whispered. Katie covered the phone and tried to say something, but decided against it and put the yellow case back on her ear.

"Alright...i"ll see you tomorrow then. I'm hanging up now. Bye!" she put the phone back in her pocket and crouched in front of the expectant pups.

"Is everything ok?" Chase asked quietly.

"More than ok! He was just having a bad day, that's probably why. Nothing to fuss over" she explained with a smile.

That made them relax a little, but they still looked quite uneasy, and so Katie came up with a brilliant idea.

"Hey! Cheer up guys! Why don't you come round to my place and spend the night?" before she even finished there came loud whoops and howls of excitement from the dogs. She happily scratched their heads and stood up.

"Great! But first things first, we've gotta close up shop. This won't take a minute." 

AT KATIE'S HOUSE

It was a short walk from the Pet Parlor to her house. They followed a narrow foot path which led to a fence that swung open easily. Soon they found themselves in a small and peaceful neighborhood. A few people who were out on their porch watching the stars, waved at Katie as she walked by them. One of them being Mr. Porter.

"Katie! Lovely evening isn't it? " he beamed at her. 

"Why yes it is sir! How's Alex doing?" she added, referring to the little brunette grandson of his that always hung around the Bay.

When he wasn't at school, or at the little farmer's market that his grandpa ran, he also absolutely loved to hang out with the Paw Patrol. In his eyes they were the coolest people in the world.

Quite the innocent 6 year old he was.

Mr. Porter lightly chuckled and replied; "He's fast asleep actually. Turns out all those late nighters he pulled finally caught up to him. Poor kid."

"Tell him we said hi!!" Chase called out. The friendly man waved them off and resumed his peaceful stargazing.

The group walked for another minute or so before happening upon Katie's humble abode. It was a sight to behold! The plush rose bushes that lined the fence leading up the driveway gave it such a fairytale look, and a spooky looking pumpkin lantern sat proudly on the low roof, casting a warm glow on the bungalow below it. Mossy green ivy hugged the brick walls and drooped off them in the corners.