What If...

Chapter 61

"Guys, wait!" Gidget's voice called out from behind the small group of animals. Sweetpea and the dogs stopped in their tracks. Rolling her green eyes, Chloe hissed, "Don't listen to her." All of the sudden, the gray tabby cat was jumping back in fear as Tiberius landed in front of her, Gidget on his back while Ozone managed to catch up from behind the others. He swiftly made his way over to the Pomeranian and hawk. Tail swishing, Chloe muttered through clenched teeth, "If you think I'm changing my mind, think again."

"I know I can't change your mind Chloe but I can try. Also, I'd like to say a few words," Gidget replied coolly. Hopping up on a wooden crate, she gazed down at the group. Tail held high, she began, "We're not giving up on Max. Why? Cuz we're dedicated! We're loyal! We're the greatest pets known to man! WE'RE DOGS!"

"Cat," Chloe grumbled.

"Pug," Mel pointed out. Buddy slapped himself in the face. Ozone and Tiberius looked up at Gidget, a little disappointed that she forgot about their species. Sweetpea chirped.

"Well guess what, you're all dogs for a day. And I don't care if you care or not," Gidget responded. Everyone's faces lit up except Chloe.

"Buddy, we have to save Max!" Mel barked, his curly tail wagging. His friend smiled and spoke, "Then let's do this!"

"I'm with ya youngsters!" Pops piped up. All three canines tipped their heads back and howled. Sweetpea was whistling and performing somersaults in the air. Gidget was grinning down at the others before turning her gaze towards Chloe. The cat was sitting down and glaring at them. "Chloe, come on. There's still room," the Pomeranian urged the tabby.

"I'm not joining you morons," Chloe hissed. Buddy now stepped forward. Looking his neighbor in the eye, he spoke, "Chloe, do we need to remind you who helped you get down from the curtains when your claws got stuck?" Lowering her head in embarrassment, she muttered, "Max..."

"Precisely. Max did! Who helped me and Mel sit the comfortable way after being fixed?" Buddy questioned. Mel began jumping up and down as he cried, "Max did! He did it Buddy!" A faint smile spread across Chloe's face as she recalled, "And we all saw who saved Sweetpea from being eaten by that random cat."

"That was you," Buddy pointed out. Sweetpea chirped harshly.

"We're talking about who saved him!" Chloe persisted.

"Max did!" Mel barked. Gazing down at Chloe, Gidget questioned the tabby cat, "What do you say?" Scowling, Chloe grumbled, "You still want me to join a circus of morons?" She sighed long and hard before getting to her paws and padding over to accompany them on their quest.

"Right, now let's find our friends before that psychopath of a rabbit does!" Gidget shouted encouragingly. Without another word, she ran out of the community garden, everyone else on her tail. Laughing, Pops strolled after them but accidently stepped on his ear and hit his chin on the pavement. "It's alright youngsters, just leave the old dog to fend for himself!" he called as he struggled to his paws, only to fall again.

Running beside Gidget, Chloe suddenly piped up, "So what's the plan?"