Episode 1: The Canines 5

              "I can't wait for this party to start." This little sentence is what went through everyone's mind. Particularly the hosts, Charlie and Sasha. Back in Charlie's apartment, the Germen shepherd is fixing up his place, for although he doesn't clean up very often, he's doing this for his friends (or so he says). A few seconds later, Itchy and Zero entered the place. "What's up, Charlie", Itchy asked, entering the place, "Wow, this is the first time you ever cleaned up, without having me or anyone else tell you." Zero added, "Yeah, you usually leave the apartment looking like a tornado hit in here". "Oh, what's up, fellas?", Charlie replied, not turning to them. "So you ready for the party?", Zero asked. "You know it! I know, this may seem odd to you; But I'm in such a good mood right now, I'll even do the most boring jobs known to caninekind," Charlie exclaimed.

Even as he spoke, the two dogs noticed that familiar grin spreading over Charlie's face. "Oh, I know that face, Charlie: you're planning on pulling off some hair-brained scheme to pull in more bones, and you want us to help you?", Itchy said. Charlie nodded, much to Itchy's dismay, laughing at the words "hair-brained". "Well, not these mutts. We won't do it."

"Aw, come on, little buddy. You haven't even heard about my idea and you bail me out!", Charlie said.

"Itchy does have a point, Charlie, considering that your 'ideas' never work", Zero exclaimed, "Remember that time you tried 'helping' me out with my job by building train tracks to serve orders? They blew up! Sasha was furious! You almost had me fired!"

"That could've worked if we fixed all the bugs. And besides, Sasha needed a tune-up for her place, anyway" Charlie complains.

"And you need to get a life! No, wait, make it two, because you screwed up one too many times to last this lifetime and the next!", Zero remarked, making Itchy crawl with laughter.

"Okay, so THAT plan failed. But come on guys, hear me out; this one is simply perfect! I promise you won't regret it!"

Although they both knew that Charlie's plans never worked, they also knew that he always finds some way to fix them. Thus, reluctantly, the two mutts said, "Okay, we'll do it. Now don't you even THINK about conning US, Charlie".

"That's the dogs I know. Here's the plan...". After a few moments of conversation, all three agreed to the plan. "Okay, guys. Remember, 9:00 p.m. sharp, alright? Don't forget to let Duncan and Zak in on our plan. Tell the girls to join us in the party, too. Oh, and one more thing: whatever you do, don't let THEM or anybody else discover our plan, ca-peesh?" Charlie asked them.

"Right!" they responded.

"In that case, let's get working on the party!" Charlie barked with enthusiasm.

Here we go again, Itchy thought.

Meanwhile, over at the Fleabite cafe, Sasha has just finished the afternoon shift and hired a temporary replacement for the evening shift. "Oh my, things are going rather smooth lately", she said, "I wonder how Charlie's holding up. He must be pretty excited by now". In just that moment, Bess, Molly, and Courtney have arrived. "Hey there, Sasha", they said simutaneously. "Hello, girls", she said.

"What's up with you? You don't sound too good", Courtney asked.

"Oh, I'm just tired, it's all. What can I get ya?", Sasha asked. "Oh, get us the usual", they responded. As they ate and drank, they discussed the current events that were happening. "So, how's it going with Charlie?", Bess asked, intending to hit a nerve. "It's coming along rather nicely", the Irish Setter replied, "Honey, that mutt knows how to treat a lady. He makes me so mad by not paying his tab, the cheap mutt, I could just bite him! but, the romance he spends with me - (sigh), he practically found my sweet spot, you know what I mean? He's one hunk of dog". Failing her mission, Bess just whimpered and drooped her ears in defeat. "Nice try, Bess", Sasha said, catching that look, "You'll have to do better than that to get me to talk. Anyway, it looks like he and I will be treating special guests tonight. Anabelle will be coming, I hear, as well as a few other dogs".

"You got that right", Molly replied, " And what a coincidence! Zak's been treating me the same way. He makes me wanna fall right into his paws."

 Courtney added, "Speaking of love, I heard the boys have planned som-"

She had no sooner stopped talking than noticed Mishka running through the cafe doors, with a look of elatedness on her face. As soon as she reached the other girls, she fell to the ground, panting hard. Picking her up, Sasha exclaimed, in much surprise, "Sweet mother of bones! What's with you, Mish? You ran as if your tail was on fire!"

"Sorry, Sash. I had to take the long way here. Anyway, I ran over here because I have some great news to tell you, so great in fact, you girls would fall, just as I have".

"Oh yeah?", they said, " Try us."

"Okay, fleabags, you asked for it", Mishka mused, "Charlie and the other boys have just told me that they want to ask us all out to the party on a date!"

The words have scarcely left her mouth when they all fainted and fell off their stools, much to Mishka's delight. "Told ya", she said, giggling. They quickly regained consciousness and hopped on their hind legs, yelling with joy. "Oh my gosh! I mean, It's one thing for them to say 'I love you', but to personally ask us out on a date is more than five girls can handle, am I right ladies?", Bess asked. All five agreed, they will accept the offer.

"Okay, but before we lose our cool, what are we gonna do now?", Molly asked. "Yeah, we can't just simply show up looking like a group of cats eagerly waiting for fish dinner", Courtney added, "We need to get ready and fast!"

"Don't worry about a thing, girls, I can handle that", Sasha assured them, "My boy David has prepared a special room in his attic for canines like us. We can prepare for them once we're in".

"Wait, how can he even understand you? Oh, right, the miracle Charlie gave you. Sorry, please continue", Courtney said, blushing in embarassment. "Say, can't Anabelle give us the ability to talk? We always wanted to talk to a human. And besides, who knows? It could be fun, or maybe even useful".

"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to give you and a few others the ability to talk to humans. She does owe me one favor, after all. Let's ask. Anabelle, show yourself right quick".

"You called?", Anabelle said, showing up on the mirror. "I have one favor to ask of you. I hope it's not too much", Sasha pleaded her.

"Well, I suppose I do owe you some reward for helping Charlie out with defeating Red", the head angel replied, "What can I do for you?"

"Can you give my family and friends the ability to talk to humans?"

"Um, I have no idea what you're doing with this favor, but I trust you will use it wisely. Very well, I will do it... (poof) your family and friends now have the ability to talk to humans. Just don't get into trouble, alright?", Anabelle warned. "You have my word on it", Sasha promised, "See you at the party!". Then Anabelle disappeared.

"Wow, this is so cool. I feel as giddy as a drunken dog", Molly said. "Don't push your luck too far, you guys. We may have this great skill, but we have to use this wisely. Anyway, all we have to do is ask and we're in. Unless we have something else on our minds, I say we go now".

"Nothing whatsoever, Sasha", the others responded, "Let's go. To David's!"

Once they arrived at Sasha's home, the group spotted David on the doorsteps, back fom school. "That's your David?", Molly asked Sasha. "Mm-hm", she answered. "Oh my, he's cute! You're lucky, Sasha", Bess said. " Thanks. He's pretty nice, too, for a human. Come on, I'll introduce you to him."

"Good afternoon, David", Sasha said. "Oh, hi, Sasha", David said, smiling and petting her head, "It's so good to see you. What can I do for you today? I see that you brought a few of your friends along". "It's so good to see you too, David", she replied eagerly, " These are my friends. This is Molly, Mishka, Courtney, and Bess". "Hello. Hi. Nice to meet you. Hey there",