After a bit of dicussion, they chose Ricky. Even though the fight was going to be faked, Zak still got himself limbered up by doing a few stretches. After he finished, he and Ricky went in front of the pound, then started barking loudly and threatningly.
  When the door started opening, the mix pounced on Ricky, and they proceded to fake the fight. They went a bit down the sidewalk to lure the catcher away from the door, and he followed them. When he was a decent distance away the others quickly went in. They quickly started to look through cages, some empty and others with dogs, looking hopeful. About halfway in, Sam gave a bark and went to a cage.
  "Sheesh, what took you guys?" Came an annoyed voice, and Andrew stepped up to the bars.
  "Shut up, we're here aren't we?" Charlie growled, sticking his claw in the lock and starting to pick it. Andrew was trying to play it cool, but the others could see he was shaking a bit from nervousness and kept looking around his dad toward the front door. "Almost... There, got it!" The mutt barked as they all heard a click and he opened the door.
  "Come on, lets get these other cages opened." Then Charlie went to get the rest. He worked quickly as he opened them all. "Okay guys, lets get outta here!" They all quickly ran out.
  "Zak, Ricky, lets go!" Chris barked. The catcher had tried grabbing Zak's scruff to get him off Ricky, but they both hopped up and darted off, much to the surprise of the catcher. When he went back inside and saw the opened cages, he gave a shout of rage. Mission accomplished.

  Except for Ricky, who headed back to work, all the dogs went to celebrate at the Fleabite. They all got food and drinks, enjoying themselves. Andrew had thanked almost everyone for helping him out. The only one he didn't thank was Zak, but he didn't mind. Knowing Andrew hated him, he knew he wasn't going to get a thanks, even if he had been the one to pick the lock.
  He had already had a beer and was on his second, Duncan sitting nearby. He was going to make sure that his Uncle didn't drink to much so they could have some fun tomorrow to bring him up from his mood. He wanted his Uncle to be happy and could tell he was mad that Andrew had ignored him. They both felt taps on their backs, and when they looked over their shoulders they saw Andrew standing there, paws crossed.
  "I need to speak to Zak alone for awhile ru- I mean, Duncan." Andrew grumbled. He refrained from calling Duncan 'runt' so Zak wouldn't decide to punch him. "We'll be back." Zak gave a nod and set his beer down, following Andrew outside the Fleabite.
  The teen leaned against a wall, looking at the floor and paws crossed. They were silent for awhile. It stretched from seconds to minutes, one big awkward silence. Just as the Doberman was thinking of going inside, Andrew spoke.
  "You know I hate to say this, and I mean really hate to say this," he said slowly, "but... Thanks for helping me get out of there..." He looked at Zak, his eyes hard. "If you tell anyone I talked to you about this, I will kill you."
  "Whatever Andrew. You're welcome." Was the reply. They both gave a small nod to each other, then headed inside, Andrew back to his corner, and Zak to Duncan. The young mutt looked at his Uncle curiously.
  "What did Uncle Andrew want?"
  "Eh, he just wanted to talk, challenge me to a fight but I refused." Zak replied. "I didn't wanna knock his block off, so I refused." Duncan nodded, knowing that was something Andrew would do. He also knew that his big Uncle was more than capable enough to, as he said, knock someones block off.
  The rest of the night went by fine, everyone laughing and having a good time. Zak actually felt better now that he had gotten a 'thank you,' and was grinning and laughing with the rest of them. He never told anyone what Andrew had actually said to him, keeping it silent. Though the rivalry went on between the duo, they felt a tiny bit friendlier. Though not enough to keep them from growling and getting in each others faces whenever they crossed paths.