Another Day, another bone: Something new

  The usual trio were walking down the street, the debate of the day being where the best vacation spot in the world was. They would always have these debates, all in good fun. Charlie said New Orleans, Zero said Florida, Itchy said he'd rather stay home.
  “... I'm telling you Zero, New Orleans would be a great spot. It's got nice gambling places, a good look at a nice wide river, and my old place, an old cab full of nice pillows.” Charlie said, grinning at the prospect of his nice cab-bed.
  “Sure it's in a junkyard, but when you're old as I am... was... whatever, it seems like paradise.” Zero shook his head.
  “Florida would be a better spot. Nice beaches, water parks, a good bar to get a drink for you guys. All in all, it works out.” Zero looked at Itchy. “Plus, nice shady spots to rest up if needed, and it's probably pool-town USA.”
The small dog rolled his eyes. “I prefer to stay home, where it's nice and safe. No need to take buses, trains, whatever it takes to get to either one. Besides Charlie, your bed was a dump.”
  “Dump? Ha, very unlikely. It was nice and soft, Anne-Marie liked it.” As they were approaching the Fleabite, San Francisco's highly populated dog cafe, the mutt held out his paw to make the other two stop. “Hold on guys. Don't you think this place is a bit stale?”
  “What do you mean Charlie?” Zero asked, scratching behind his ear with a footpaw in curiosity.
  “What I mean, my young and naive friend, is that we go here all the time. Why don't we expand ourselves a little, give ourselves a little bit of class.” Charlie said, looking in slight distaste at the Fleabite.
  “... And by class do you mean a dumpster?” Itchy asked, fixing his hat a bit. Charlie rolled his eyes and facepawed. “What? What'd I say?” The Dachshund asked.
  “Just follow me you two, I'll lead us to something worthwhile.” Charlie said, dashing off ahead. The remaining two looked at each other with that usual 'oh no...' look before they followed after him. They hoped he wouldn't lead them into trouble. The last place they wanted to be was the pound.

 It was about an hour before the three dogs took a rest. Charlie hadn't found a good spot yet, which the other two found quite unsurprising. The mutt wasn't really one to find good new spots. If he wanted a good spot, he created his own. Itchy had told Zero they had made their own place in New Orleans and it had become a popular spot.
  The trio sat awhile, wondering what to do next, when Charlie spotted something out of the corner of his eye. He wondered if that would be a good spot. He took a good look at it: stable structure, looked fancy, and some dogs were inside. Perfect.
  “Hey guys, I think I found our new hangout for awhile.” He said, taking off towards the new spot. His tail was wagging hopefully, something that didn't happen often. The two behind looked at each other again and, as lackeys did, ran after him. They hoped it wouldn't be a dump on the inside...

  Inside, the place was pretty classy. Not horrid, not the best, but decent. Pictures of old things like ships and such hanging on the walls, checkerboard pattern on the floor, red, circular booths, and stripes on the walls. All in all, kinda dull but acceptable. Zero looked around a bit.
  “I don't remember this place being here, must be new.” He looked at the other two. “Unless you've seen it before?” In reply, he got two headshakes, so he gave a shrug. They chose their own booth, picking up menus.
Charlie looked it up and down, thinking. Some stuff seemed good, some sounded bad, the pictures inside showed pictures of bad-sounding food with delicious-looking pictures.
  “Weird menu set-up huh?” Zero asked, smiling. The other two nodded their agreement. Soon a waiter came up, tail wagging boredly.
  “And what can I get you guys today?” He asked. Zero and Charlie were looking at their menus, and Itchy looked at the waiter. Something seemed familiar about him...
  “I'll have Pepsi if you don't mind.” Zero said.
  “Root beer.” Charlie added.
 “I guess I'll just have some root beer too.” Itchy said, not being able to put his paw on what was so familiar about this waiter. The familiar dog gave a nod and went off to get their drinks. The Dachshund looked at his two companions.
 “Did you two notice something about that waiter?”
  “No, why? Something important?” Charlie asked, glancing at his best friend. Itchy gave this some thought and gave a small nod. “What's so important?”
  “He looks familiar, but I can't put my paw on it.” Itchy explained. Charlie waved his paw in a hither-and-yon motion.
  “Do you know how many dogs we've seen since we've been alive twice?” He asked. “Of course one of them is going to look familiar. In fact, I though I saw a Collie that looked familiar a few days ago.”
  “... Yeah, and you were drunk that day hitting on girls like mad.” Zero said, rolling his eyes. “We had to keep you from being knocked to the ground by the girls you were trying to, apologizing for you the whole way.” Charlie grinned sheepishly at this.
  “I wasn't to bad...” He started before Zero rolled his eyes. “Okay maybe I was a little...” Zero only stared. “... Okay fine I was that bad.”
  “Much better.” Zero said. Just then the waiter got back with their drinks.
  “Hey guy, do we know you from somewhere?” Charlie asked. Zero looked from waiter to Charlie and back. They did look similar.
  “Don't think so... Hold on a moment...” The waiter narrowed his eyes a bit. “... Charlie?” The mutt wondered how the other knew his name before his eyes widened.
  “Ricky?!” Charlie said in shock. The two barked happily and hugged.
  “Hey Charlie you old dog what've you been doing?”
  “Not much, been hanging out with these two. When'd you get out of Heaven?”
  “A few days ago, I didn't know where to find you so I got a job awhile!”
  “Where are you staying at, somewhere nice?”
  “Nah, some run down old-”
  “Uh... Guys, we're still here.” Zero said. The two looked at him and Charlie began introductions.
  “Zero, this is my brother Ricky. Ricky, Zero.” The two shook paws.
  “Listen guys, I have to go, but my shift is over in twenty minutes.” The three nodded at Ricky, gave their orders, then he went to go get them.

  Twenty minutes later, Ricky was sitting with them and talking. Charlie told Ricky about how he and Zero became friends, and Ricky told how he got back to Earth. Itchy and Zero listened with interest. It was quite amusing watching the two talking together excitedly. They must have been separated awhile...
  “You should come live with us in the apartment Ricky!” Charlie said, his tail wagging furiously. “I'm sure you'll like it.” Ricky gave this some thought and gave a few nods. “We'll get you stuff for you.”
Charlie nodded at the other two, they paid for their food, then Ricky led them to his place, a rundown house. It looked pretty old and very unstable. Ricky shrugged.
  “They were going to tear it down anyway so I needed a new place. I'm glad you found me Charlie.”
  “Anytime Rick.” Charlie said, and when his back was turned Ricky flicked his ear. “What was that for?”
  “Never, EVER call me Rick.” The mutt growled as he went inside, the trio following him in. They helped him pick his stuff up and start moving it to the apartment. They found Zak there not really doing much of anything.
  “Hey guys, whatcha up to?” He asked.
  “Helping Ricky move here.” Zero said as he put Ricky's stuff in a spare room.
  “Can I help? Joey went out, and I'm bored.”
  “Sure.” And so Zak started helping. On his way out he grabbed a wheelbarrow to move lots of stuff at a time. They worked on moving stuff for two hours and had a welcoming party for Ricky. A new member for the apartment...