Park Territory

"I lick Lori's cheek, like nothing ever happened. Stealth mode, activated. I think of food, park, what could possibly go wrong."

Great, Ryders already jinxed the morning. I growl, my jaws locked around a fresh bone. My back to the large tree, gaze roaming the area of the park we're gathered in. I wish I had something to cover my ears from my cousin's very descriptive monologue.

"I decided to do my business on Loris' shoe today, comfy, soft, best way to wipe the toosh. The grass just isn't cutting it anymore. I wait for her to open those chocolaty eyes, filled with hopes and dreams. We play this game every morning. She wakes, I receive a cuddle, a pat on the back, a scratch on the belly. Lori rolls out of bed, sliding her feet into a supposedly warm ugg.. only to realise her naivety, once again, the dog of your dreams, your saviour- Piper gasps, getting close to Ryders face, he flinches jumping back so quickly that he trips on a twig, falls, rolling over, his paws digging into the dirt to stop his decent.

"Did she kick you out?" her eyes lock with his, on the hunt for answers, tail wagging, like a fresh pup, "Did she!" Ryder glared at her for a few seconds.

"Maybe you would know if I got to finish my story."

"I bet she goes on strike this week," Lancelot chuckles, Carmel coat glistening. "I know I am." he side eyes me before rolling over and laying on his back a single paw covering both eyes. I huff, so what if I overwork him, I wasn't about to trust anyone else with his job, he had more stealth then a well trained cat and that was saying a lot for a dog.

"What if she kicks you out?" Piper says thinking out loud. "NO FOOD! NO CUDDLEs!" Piper curls up into a ball, sniffling as if she's about to burst into tears at the mere thought of the animal cruelty.

"If you need a night away from Ryder, Boot, my door's unlocked," blue purs into my ear, nuzzling her face into the side of my thick black coat, her brown and white fur sleek and styled, siting down next to me.

"Right, let me get back to you." my tone dripping in sarcasm, I shuffle over, putting a gap between us. Theres a personal bubble for a reason.

"Really blue?" Ryder says clearly having gotten over being spooked "All this gloriousness stars you in the face and you look in the other direction." Turning his back on us he wanders out a little further from our group, to look at the rest of the felines who run past us on leashes along side their owners. "Hello beautiful," Ryder says puffing out his chest, the small pup that wonders by catching his attention. Batting her lashes, she gives him a once over, before her leash is pulled hard, forcing her in the other direction away from us. Ryder pouts returning to the group.

"Okay" I pause, making sure I have their attention "I assume everyone's clear on what we went over yesterday." I ask, receiving a chorus of no's, except piper.

"I know, all under wraps boss, call me off the bench when you need me, I'm ready." she jumps up and down, a ball of energy ready to burst.

"Well, it would have been nice to know this yesterday, when I was halfway through explaining everything."

"Don't worry cus, we got this." Ryder says

"That's not what you were saying yesterday when you snuck off to get to try and get hotdog," blue chimes in "unsuccessful I might add." Ryder whines, a hurt look in his eyes.

"Whatever, Lance you're off strike." I say.

"Does that mean you're going to start paying me?" he drawls not even lifting his paw, enjoying bathing in the warm sun to much.

"Yes, fine." I growl "This is our biggest mission yet, I need everyone to pay attention and buckle in because its about to get-

"Well, well, well, if it ins't looser ville," says a pitchy voice to my right. I rise from my spot on the soft grass, coming face to face with a tiny pale grey dog, coat thin, my rival, since pups, Fluffy jr.

"The Big dogs" I say four canines backing her "you finally come over to give up your side of park territoy?" Fluffy starts laughing - glaring at her gang when they don't join in - they all sound like a pack of squeaky toys and not the satisfying kind.

"No!" She spits, lifts her paw and they all stop, except for the dog at the back who keeps going.

"Jerry!" she yells, and he shuts up rather abrupty "we've gone over this stop making me look stupid." He bows his head, and I only feel slightly bad for the guy.

"Anyway, I came over to see if you wanted to...to" she coughs but it looks painful like a bug is stuck in her throat.

"What, my patience and I walking on thin ice" I say.

"Fine Boot, did you want to team up." she finally got out, and it was our turn to laugh.

"Ah fluff if you came here to make me chuckle, you really shouldn't have. But you know what we can do later, hot stuff," Ryder prowls forward, before tripping on a rock and landing up at her feet. Fluffy scowls.

"I'm being serious, you need me!" she says through clenched teeth.

"No, what makes you think we'd ever want to team up with the likes of-

Music starts blasting, I gaze beyond fluffy's pack. A large group of dogs, who could have been walking in slow motion were moving through the park, like those commercials. Freshly groomed, a big muscular tan dog leading them in our direction, towards my territory. But that doesn't make sense. Piper gaped her mouth hung so low, I'd be surprised if she didn't eat a fly, lance had rolled over, raising his eyebrows, Ryder and I looked equally confused, a first, and Blue was sizing up the leader like she was ready to climb him.

"I thought you knew," fluffy spoke, "I overheard my owner talking yesterday about signing up to this new thing called outdoor pilates. She was so excited because they would be hosting it in the park every morning. There would be free coffee, and more social interaction for poeple, which means more dogs."

"How do you know all this?" Lancelot asks.

"Chandler, gave me her brochure to read once she was done with it, obviously." she says rolling her eyes. "Anyway since you're so against teaming up, have fun with them." she leaves and I suddenly get this really weird feeling that I might regret saying no.