Rambo and Shadow; no lies

Rambo trotted happily along the sidewalk, winding around Bermuda Ave. His dark gray fur with light gray markings shone in the warm sun. Yes it was warm, but it was cooling down from the warm summer he enjoyed with his girlfriend, Jean. But he didn't enjoy it because of her, she was a pest. Too clingy for his taste, and he was just playing around. It was nothing serious. He took a deep breath before entering her house. Ribbons and trophies were scattered on the walls, it reminded him that even at a puppy age, his cocker spaniel girlfriend was a show dog, the real reason he decided to date her. The golden and tan cocker spaniel ran down the stairs. "Hi Bo." She called him by the nickname he hated so much and tried to licks his cheek. He dodged her. "Jeannine we have to talk." He grumbled.

"Uh oh. You called me Jeannine. Something's serious." She said, worried.

"Yeah, we can't see each other anymore." He stumbled.

"Can't or won't?"

"Won't." When Rambo said 'won't' Jean growled loudly. "This isn't over, Rambo! Goodbye is never forever." Rambo turned and ran out of the house, Jean chasing him. Rambo barked and crossed the street, something Jean isn't allowed to do alone. He panted, glad it was over with that crazy chick. She wasn't his first girlfriend but, he hoped, the LAST.

                              *******

Rambo trotted alongside his master to a pet training class downtown. He was on a bright red leash, his collar also the same shade of red. He had lived with the man wearing gray his whole life, but never heard anyone speak to him. The man was lonely, Rambo guessed. Rambo saw another pup, about his age but half his size. He tugged against the leash and did the standard dog-sniff to gather information. "Hey, I am Rambo." He wagged his short, cropped tail.

"Hi. My name is Shadow." The black and silver female pup said. As his owner tugged his leash and forced Rambo to follow, Rambo had no idea this normal autumn afternoon walk would change his entire life...

                           *********

Rambo walks out of the class his master took him to. His head was whirling with tricks and things they taught him. Too much. He though. I need a break... Rambo saw Shadow again and walked up to her. "Hey Shadow." He said, trying to act casual. She giggled a little at his attempt. "Hey Rambo."

"What do you say we get some dinner, I know a place." Rambo said, still trying to act cool, like in the movies his master watches.

"Sounds fun." Shadow replied, a twinkle in her eyes. Rambo smiled and thought of just the place.

"Alright come on!" He led her around the corner of the class and walked to an Italian place across the street. Rambo intended on remaking a scene from his favorite movie, Lady and the Tramp. The spaghetti scene of course. Rambo didnt like to admit it, but he had a flare for romantic gestures. He took a seat and so did Shadow. The smaller, Pomeranian-like female pup smiled slightly at him. Rambo barked at the waiter, who fed strays in the back alley for fun. He came out with spaghetti and meatballs for them minutes later. "Here ya' go there Bud! Try not to ruin the table." The waiter joked, obviously not knowing Rambo understood him. Shadow looked at him. "So why Italian?" Rambo shrugged.

"Why not?"

"Fair." Shadow ate a meatball neatly and Rambo laughed. She looked up, confused. "What?" She asked and Rambo shook his head. "Nothing. I have never seen a dog eat so neatly." Rambo chuckled. Shadow grins. "Yeah but you are still a pup. Much to see." Shadow replied. Rambo considered this. "You have a good point. But this is how a real dog eats!" He stuffed spaghetti in his mouth sloppily and it made Shadow laugh. Hey this is fun! He thought and smiled at Shadow, a noodle hanging on his muzzle.

                             *********

Rambo woke up in the wicker basket he sleeps in. Its a light, sandy colored woven basket. If his master hadn't layed a thin pillow and a blanket inside, it would have been mighty uncomfortable. But, Rambo likes it the way it is. He got out and stretched, feeling the cold tile under his big paws. His paws were big because he was going to be big when he is fully grown. But for now, he has to grow into his big paws. Once Rambo stretched his back legs, he trotted to the kitchen, where the man wearing gray left a bowl of Krunchy Kibblez, the cheap kind of dog food. Rambo plunged his nose into the bowl, chewing and swallowing bits of food. The bowl was soon licked clean. Rambo felt the need for some fresh air. So he squeezed through the cat-door, meant for the cat that lived before him. Rambo felt a chill, sinking into his skin. Wow its cold out! He figured a walk would warm himself up and he jogged to the pond near his house. It was a big pond, connected to a lake. The pond was beautiful, the rising sun reflecting on it. Rambo gasped with awe and heard another one gasp. He peaked at Shadow, who was hiding in a bush to watch the run rise. He smiled and looked across the pond.

                              ******

Rambo jogged home and saw the man in gray leaving home. "Bye Rambo, I will be back tomorrow night!" Rambo barked back because it made his master laugh. Rambo knew he was going on a 'business trip' so Rambo has all weekend to himself. Usually, he would enjoy a nice weekend avoiding Jean, but now they are broken up. And Rambo was happy with this. Just then a pup, younger than Rambo, came easily through the cat-door. "Hi Rambo!" The male pup barked.

"Hi Ruff!" Rambo said and play bowed. He fake growled. "Wanna pla-" he was cut off by his nephew tackling him. His big brother from another litter had pups with a stray and Ruff was one of them. Rambo used his size to overpower Ruff and pinned him down. Ruff laughed and squeezed away. The silver and brownish pup grabbed a rope and Rambo grabbed the other end. Rambo tugged and Ruff tugged back. They growled and tumbled and tugged on the rope. Rambo let go and Ruff tumbled backwards. "Gotcha." He said. Ruff shrugged. "I got to go. See ya'!" Rambo shrugged back "bye." Rambo layed on his couch, the one with a blanket over it. He sighed, lonely once again. He decided the man in gray can live without him for a day, I mean he wont be here for two days. Rambo trotted out of the backyard after squeezing through the cat-door. Soon I will be too big for this door... he thought proudly. Rambo wasnt paying attention and ran into Shadow. "Oh sorry Shadow." He helped her up. Shadow was rubbing her head, even though he barely hit her.

"Its okay...you didnt see me." She said and stood tall.

"I should have been paying attention. How about another dinner or lunch?" He said and she smiled.

"Lunch sounds fun. Is 12:00 good for you?" She said and Rambo nodded. "Yeah! I mean yeah, its cool." He acted cool. She seemed to surpress a laugh. "Cool. I will see you at your place." She swallowed and turned. Rambo watched her walk away, then turned himself. Another date? What am I doing! I must be insane...

Rambo walked with Shadow to a sandwich place. They were standing awfully close. Rambo knew they were very close, closer than Jeannine and himself ever was. Shadow is different. She isnt like Jeannine...she is much better. He thought to himself. Rambo gave her a look. Shadow looked back at him. "What?" She asked, amused.

"I was wondering how I get to hang out with you." He admits. She laughed. Rambo laughed with her. They waltzed up to the deli. The sign outside said Sandwich Special; Turkey and Cheese. Rambo licked his lips. "I haven't had turkey in a while" he looked at Shadow, who was drooling slightly. He smiled as she wiped her mouth. "Hungry?" He teased.

"Starving." She replied.  Rambo smiled. "Good." And opened the door. The deli worker, Steve, saw them. "Oh Rambo! You have another girlfriend?" Rambo froze as Shadow narrowed orange-red eyes on him. "He thinks my friends are girls." Rambo saved himself quickly. Shadow believed him partially. Rambo sighed inwardly. The save will hold for now. Steve gave them two sandwiches. Shadow took her's to the table. Rambo dropped the change on the counter and walked to the table. Shadow was silent for half the date. He sighed. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She said.

"Really? Cause this doesnt seem like a...particularly easy date." He said. She sighed. "Sorry." He smiled at her. "Its okay. Just, no lies okay?"