Another Day, another bone: Chance meeting

  Out on San Francisco's streets a pup was running, tears streaming down from his eyes. He was running to the Fleabite, where he was hoping his dad would be there. His dad, a big strong Doberman, was always the one to calm him down. He was always working there at the bar, always willing to take a few minutes off, just to comfort his son, tell him that things will be okay. Always there to tell him there was a purpose for everyone, though he doubted he would ever find his...

  In the Fleabite, two older dogs were talking. Charlie B. Barkin and Zachary M. Slumdog, two of the dogs who mainly came to the Fleabite (or the Bite as Zak sometimes puts). They were talking about how to expand the apartment for more dogs to stay. Zak was thinking about renovating some of the rooms that looked bad, Charlie wanted to actually expand buildings. Zak had just ordered a beer, and hadn't taken a drink yet because he was so busy debating with Charlie.
  “I'm telling you Charlie, when we open up more rooms and then expand buildings we'll get more bones out of the deal.”
  “And I'm telling you you're crazy. It'd be ten times easier if we expand buildings first and then renovate. That way more space will be ready and available.”
  “If Joey were here he'd agree with me. Renovate first, spread out, then renovate that building and we'd have more room much faster.”
  “Of course he would! He's your bro, but Itchy would agree-”
  “Because he's your best friend. Or he may disagree because your idea makes you sound bonkers.” Charlie was about to reply to this, when something moved out of the corner of his eye. It went around the bar, and he could hear sniffles.
  “W-where is dad?” the dogs heard a voice ask, and then the shape came back into their view.
  “Hey Duncan! What're you doing here?” Charlie asked the pup.
  “I-I'm looking for dad, but he's not here...”
  “Who's your dad?” Zak asked, seeing that the pup's eyes looked familiar. Duncan looked a bit frightened about this tan Doberman asking him sudden questions, but that was just naturally him. He was scared by almost everything.
  “J-Joey...” And the pup backed away a bit as the Doberman hopped down from his seat and looked him in the eyes. “W-why?” He asked, sniffling a bit more. Seeing he was frightened, Zak backed off some.
  “I know your dad. He's my brother, I didn't know that he had pups.” The mutt in front of him looked a bit uncertain on how this Doberman, being very different looking from Joey, could be of any relation.
  “You can trust him.” Charlie said, smiling at Duncan. He then looked at the beer Zak had left on the counter. “You gonna drink this Zak?”
  “You can have it if you want. Me and Duncan are gonna go for a walk.” The tan dog said, starting to lead Duncan off. He still looked nervous, but seemed a bit better since Charlie had said it was okay to trust this stranger. “My name is Zak, in case you wanted to know, you can call me Uncle Zak if you feel like it.”
  The young mutt gave a slow nod, still sniffling and tears still coming a bit. After they had walked down the street awhile, Zak decided to ask “Why are you crying Duncan?” Because Zak was still a stranger, Duncan had to work a bit of courage up to tell him.
  “It's my brothers and sisters... They always make fun of me for my ears and my tail... And they say I'm afraid of everything...” Duncan said, lowering his head. Zak took a good look at the pup.
  His ears were a bit big, his tail a bit long, and he was shivering slightly from being afraid of what Zak would think about him. The bigger dog lowered his head down to Duncan's level. He knew what it was like. Duncan looked over at his Uncle, a fresh set of tears coming.
  “Why Uncle Zak? Why do they always have to pick on me? Is there something wrong with me?” Zak's heart went out to the pup, especially since he had been accepted as his uncle so fast.
  “There is nothing wrong with you Duncan.” Zak said, feeling glad someone had something in common with him.
  “Then why are they so mean to me? Even my sister...” Duncan's words faded to nothing.
  “They can't see what's special with you.” Zak said, remembering a life lesson he had learned all his life.
  “Special?” The pup asked, looking a bit surprised.
  “Yeah Duncan, they think we're different just because we're not like them. But remember, you're unique and special, never forget that.”
  “Me? Special?! Really Uncle?!” The pup asked brightening up.
  “Of course you are.” The tan Doberman said, smiling at his nephew. “Let me tell you about me. My siblings were the same way when I was younger. They made fun of my fur color, my looks, and they would never let me be friends with anyone they were with.”
  Duncan looked his uncle, his red eyes he had inherited from his big, powerful father looking into the unnatural, light brown eyes of the older Doberman. Zak reached one of his big paws towards Duncan, the pup staying put, and wiped the tears away off his face. Suddenly, Zak felt like a father, even though Duncan wasn't his pup. He had a connection with the kid.
  “I'll take you to the beach awhile. We can play there awhile, have some fun and talk a bit.” The tan dog suggested. “Does that sound alright with you?” In reply, he got several nods from Duncan.
  The pup felt loads better, and he didn't worry or become afraid of the thought of a crab grabbing his tail, of going to far into the ocean, nothing. Now that he had found someone like him, he felt happier. Then he got a questioning look on his face.
  “Uncle Zak... If I'm how I am, how will I get friends?” He asked worriedly.
  “That's easy: They'll come to you. I had a few friends where I first lived, they came to me and liked me for who I was, and defended me from my siblings taunts.” Zak said, smiling at his nephew. Duncan smiled again happily. The duo soon made it to the beach, and started having the time of their lives.
  They made a sand castle, went for a small paddle in the ocean, Zak even let Duncan bury him in the sand. The few dogs who passed looked at the two like they were crazy, but they didn't care. All they cared about was having each other. Zak loved the pup like he was his own son, even had a soft spot for him.

  Back at the Fleabite, Joey had come back. He had been taking a smoke break in the back of the alley, something he did every once in awhile when he couldn't wait for home. He saw his brother missing, and glanced at Charlie.
  “So where did my mutt-of-a-brother go?” He asked, smiling. He always asked that way as a joke since Zak looked tons different from him, besides the powerful muscles and big paws that they both got from their father.
  “He took Duncan out for a walk.” Charlie said, having finished off the beer Zak said he could have quite awhile ago. “He was crying again, and Zak was curious.” Joey looked discouraged that he wasn't there when Duncan had needed him.
  “I hope that Zak can help my kid out.” Joey said, still looking discouraged. “Since they are both the different ones of the family, I hope they get along.” And just as he finished talking, he heard something. Laughter...?
  Just then, the mix came running in, Duncan riding on his back, both laughing and having a good time. Zak skidded to a halt in front of the bar, looking up at his brother (who was standing on his hind paws so he could see over the bar, Zak on all fours so Duncan wouldn't slide off) and grinning. His stub-of-a-tail was wagging furiously. The pup on his back reached back and started batting the stub-tail playfully. This was the happiest Joey had seen Duncan before.
  “Hey Joey, we were just having a good time down at the beach. We didn't know where you were, so I decided to take this little guy and do some stuff.” Zak explained. Joey, being a father himself, could see the glint of fatherhood in Zak's eyes and gave a small smile. Zak had something he didn't: Something as big as difference in the family, something he and Duncan could relate to.
  “Judging by your panting and your stub trying to wag itself further off I'd say you had a good time.” The pure-breed replied. In answer, he got two heads bobbing in nods, which made him chuckle. “You two should hang out more, you seem to get along great.”
  “That was the plan.” Zak said.
  “Uncle Zak said he was going to take me to the park tomorrow, and that we were gonna watch a movie tonight.” The pup said, obviously excited.
  “Well you two better get on top of that plan, sounds like you guys got a full schedule planned.” Joey said, grinning. Wait 'til I tell his mother... He thought, his own stub wagging a bit. He wasn't much of a wagger, but he couldn't help it.
  “Come on Uncle Zak, let's go find a movie to watch!” Duncan said, and then out Zak raced. Everyone in the cafe, besides Charlie and Joey, looked surprised at how parental Zak was being.
  “I think that's the start of a healthy relationship.” Charlie said, looking at Joey, who