out of their minds, they headed home, staggering and chuckling drunkenly.
  Joey took his younger bro to his make-shift home, a run down house at the end of a neighborhood. The pure-breed plopped down on the couch and turned on the TV.
  “Luckily they never shut the electricity for this place down.” He said, grinning. Zak sat beside him, swaying. “Favorite show is on. I always try to watch a full episode before I go out cold.”
  Zak was glad that he had found some sort of relation to Will, and wondered if Joey would tell him more about him. But for now, he would enjoy living with his older brother, hanging out and going to the bar. He went to an unused bed, lying down and going to sleep after a few minutes of trying to watch the show with Joey. When he was sure he was asleep Joey chuckled.
  “Drunk like a true Slumdog. If that's not proof that he's my brother I dunno what is.” He said, then turning his attention back to the TV, but it was pointless. He was out cold on his back a few moments later, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth, snoring loudly on the couch.

  Time passed, day after day, night after night. Zak drinking, Joey smoking, both dogs having a good ol' time. Joey was a lady hunter, Zak wasn't any good at it. Though when Joey found a pair of girls who could easily be charmed by his good looks he would ask one to hang out with his younger brother. All went well for a few months, and the brothers were walking down the street talking, heading to the bar as usual.
  “I was thinking of probably getting a job at that casino down on the lake.” Joey was saying.
  “You sure they would let you? You are pretty young by a casino's standards Joey.” Zak replied.
  “They are looking for workers, and I can deal a deck out decently.” The Doberman said, looking thoughtful. “I think I could pull the red vest and bowtie off, what do you think?”
  “Hm... Maybe. I'd have to see you in both to give my verdict.” Zak suddenly looked ahead. It looked like a pair of headlights coming to a stop. “Hey Joey, you see that?”
  “Yeah, wonder what they are stopping for. C'mon, let's go check it out lil' bro.” Joey took off, Zak following closely behind. Joey was close to the headlights, so he didn't see the dog catcher with the net, waiting. Zak did because Joey blocked most of the light being as big as he was, and when he saw Joey about to be caught he sped up and pushed him out of the way.
  And down came the dogcatchers net.
 “Crap! Ah well, least I got you.” The dogcatcher said, starting to pull Zak to the back of his truck. Joey was about to pounce, but Zak pulled at the net.
  “Joey go! I'll be alright!” Joey looked uncertain. “Joey, I'll come back to get you, I promise! Go now, don't let him get you!”
  Joey's ears flattened a bit sadly and he nodded, taking off down the side of the hill. Zak kept trying to resist the net, but the dogcatcher kept pulling. He was pulled back then lifted bodily up and into the truck.
  “In ya go you strange looking mutt.” The catcher said, shutting the door. He then drove off, Zak whining a bit. “Shut up!” He growled at Zak as he drove.
  Zak was driven to the pound, and thrown into a cage. He looked around, ears flattened. Small, enclosed, and very uncomfortable feel. It was very lonely without his older brother with him to comfort him in this depressing place. But he had made a promise to Joey, and he knew he'd see him again.
  He went to a corner and laid down, still not being able to get over the depressing feel to the place. He started to think about ways to get out...

  A few days passed, and Zak was suddenly woken by sounds of scuffle and barking.
  “Hey! Let me go, get your hands offa me! Woah, heads up!” A dog was suddenly thrown on top of Zak and the door slammed after it. There was a small scuffle before the two got untangled from each other.
  “... Hey, who are you?” The other dog asked.
  “I'm Zak... Zachary Max Slumdog.” Zak said, offering his paw shyly. The older one took the younger one's paw and shook, smiling.
  “Name's Charlie, Charlie B. Barkin. How'd you get caught in this rats-nest?”
  “I was trying to keep my older brother from being caught. You?” Charlie sniffed angrily.
  “I was framed. Someone reported me for something I didn't do, and I was thrown to the catcher.” He replied. “I run the casino with my business partner, Carface. Rat races.”
  “Sounds fun. Joey wanted to join the casino.”
  “We hired a Joey a few days ago. He seemed a bit bitter, and he's a smoker. His ciggs make me gag.”
  “That's Joey alright.” Zak said, grinning. Then the grin dropped. “Probably bitter he couldn't help me escape the catcher...”
  “Well then, we both have something to get out for.” Charlie said, wagging his scruffy tail. “You to see your bro, me to get back at the dog who framed me.” He offered his paw. “Partners?”
  “Partners.” Zak replied, shaking his paw. He knew this would work. Over the next few days Charlie started digging his way out, Zak keeping watch. This went on a long time, and Zak wondered if he would ever get through...
  Zak was watching the door now, and all of a sudden he felt the ground shake. Moments later, his paws were drenched with water as there was a gyser somewhere out front. Suddenly he could hear two voices yelling, Charlie and someone else... But the mutt didn't come back for Zak. The mix understood why soon as he heard gunshots.
  Another minute or two later, and all was silent... Zak knew Charlie had probably forgotten him in all that madness, so he didn't bother hoping for him to come back. He lied down in the water in his cell, sighing. He would have to get out himself... He would re-dig the tunnel.

  After a few weeks for the water to drain, Zak started remaking the tunnel. He easily found the one the escaped duo had made originally, still damp. He went through and found the entrance Itchy had made and escaped quickly. What had sped up his progress was the fact he had heard he was next on the list to be given shots and get fixed. He remembered where the casino was from when Joey told him.
  It felt like forever since he saw him... But when he got to the casino site, he saw nothing. He went around-town to get information on what happened to the ship. He heard that the ship had sunk, and most of the dogs inside had escaped except two. They had forgotten who it was since it had happened quite awhile ago, but what scared him was that they had died...
  But all that mattered right now was that he could find his brother, Joey. So off he went wandering again. He hoped that it wasn't the pure-breed who had gone with the ship. He had made a promise, and he was going to keep it.

  “... And that's my story. I still haven't found Joey, but I'll keep looking for him.” Zak said, sighing. Joey held up his paw.
  “One second.” He turned around and started looking for something. Charlie and the tan dog heard a match lit, saw a small glow, then watched Joey toss the match aside. When he turned around, Zak's mouth gaped open. “Been a long time, but I think you recognize the brand and how I have it in my mouth.”
  Zak shook his head in disbelief. The Doberman blew one of his famous smoke-rings up in the air.
  “Interesting history, I thought you had forgotten that promise long ago.” Joey said, smiling as he looked at Zak. “Glad you didn't.”
  Zak shuffled his paw nervously on the counter. “This is going to sound childish and stupid but... Can a brother get a hug?” In reply, he was pulled over the counter and Joey pulled him into a rib-crushing hug. Charlie laughed.
  “You're making his eyes pop out Joey, loosen your grip.” The Doberman did as he was asked. Zak rubbed his aching ribs, grinning sheepishly. The older of the two ruffled the others head fur.
  “Glad you found me runt.” Joey said, grinning. “Drinks are on me tonight for you two.” Zak smiled happily, stubby tail wagging. He knew he had found home.


  I know I miss mom and my friends... But I dunno my way back anymore. I know they are thinking about me, and I them. Though I think they would be happy I found a family member I was friends with. I know I am.
  Thanks for sticking around with my story for so long, Joey was pleased after hearing my full history since before I only told him bits and pieces. Without Sasha's permission, however, he gave free drinks for the rest of the afternoon to celebrate. He still smokes, but I don't mind so much now. I'm still a boozehound, but I don't care. I love a drink.
  Joey has admitted to being with a few girls in my absence, but when you're young you go with instinct. He's older and a lot more mature and mellowed out now. I think... He does still disappear a few rare nights. I think I know where he goes, but it's not my place to find out.
  I hope you enjoyed my story, my life has been and still is great now! Live in the moment, let go laughing, and drink until my liver gives out. See you guys later. ~ Zachary Max Slumdog, May 28th, Friday    

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