just a pup for cripes sake.” Hearing big paws approaching, the large dog scooted Grimm below his chest as he was met by a gang of three dogs.
  They all snarled when they saw the pup. The smallest one, an English Toy Terrier, tried to pounce Grimm, but the large Mastiff smacked him with his large paw, making him bounce off the chest of one of his two bigger companions, a McNab.
  “Oy, what are you doing?!” The last canine, a Phu Quoc Dog growled at Mike, stepping forward. “That brat has a bone of ours!”
  “One bone out of how many in this city?” Mike asked, growling deeply as he crouched over Grimm.
  “Not the point, he stole from us, so that pup is gonna be shown a nice bit of street justice for stealing.” The McNab barked, darting forward to bite Mike. With a few quick moves, Mike sent Grimm and the bone into a small cardboard box, then jumping forward, head-butting the McNab heavily. With a yelp the other canine backed off, rubbing his bloody chin with a paw.
  “Hey, you can’t hurt my buddy like that!” The Phu Quoc tackled Mike, and both wrestled and bit at each other. The Toy Terrier snuck over to get Grimm, but the feisty pup jumped forward and bit his muzzle hard. With a yelp the Terrier tried to get Grimm off, and both started to claw each other.
  While Mike was down the McNab tried to attack him, but the Mastiff kicked back with his hind paws and caught him in the chest, sending him back to the sidewalk. Seeing Grimm in trouble, he rolled to the Terrier and yanked him back, Grimm’s teeth pulling his muzzle, and tossed him on top of his buddy. The Mastiff bucked his head back, hitting the Phu Quoc, stunning it before he bucked it onto the other two canines.
  Standing up and turning around, Mike glared at the trio, who stood up whimpering. “Now that I have your attention, beat it you scruffy mutts.” He growled, taking a step forward. “Now!”
  They yelped and began to run as fast as they could, not daring to look back in case he was following. Mike peeked his head around the corner to watch them go, people being pushed over and knocked aside in their flight.
  Pulling his head back, he looked at Grimm and smiled. “Come on little pal, you can stay with me.” Mike started to walk, Grimm following at his side. The young pup could see he was limping and looked in concern towards his back paw. Seeing his glance, Mike nudged him softly, saying, “I just twisted my paw in that fight, don’t worry about it.”
  “Are you sure you’re okay?”
  “Positive. Since we’re out of that scuff, what’s your name pup?” Mike smiled softly.
  “I’m Grimm. How about you, what’s your name mister?”
  “Name’s Mike. Glad to meet ya Grimm.”
  The two talked on their way home about their lives, mainly Mike since he had more to tell, being older. He hadn’t told anyone else really, and was glad to open up to someone, even if it was just a young puppy.
  He had been the biggest of his litter, and was the biggest still, and he lived alone earlier than most. His family lived in the western side of New York while he lived in the eastern side, liking to be closer to the sea and the docks, plus some special friends he had met.
  Soon they reached his home, a big box from a big TV with an old tarp over it to protect it from rain. There were chewed through spots in the box where rats had bitten it, some holes in the tarp that didn’t protect some of the box, but the big Mastiff called it home.
  “This is a nice place you got, Mike.” His new puppy companion yipped, smiling.
  “Thanks buddy.” Mike replied, grinning back. He was starting to grow fond of the pup. They got in the box together, Grimm lying on the big paws of his friend, Mike resting his head on his leg.
  “Mike?”
  “Yeah buddy?
  “Thanks for helping me. You’re a really nice guy.” Grimm muttered drowsily.
  “Any time Grimm; I’ll always be there to help you out.” Mike yawned hugely, closing his eyes. The two fell asleep, glad of each other’s company.

  “… So how did you guys get separated?” Dodger asked, head tilted to one side in curiosity.
  Grimm looked at the older dog, giving him a fond nuzzle. “It was a few months after we met, but the dog catcher picked him up when I went to visit him. He had shoved me in a box, and he had been taken away from me.”
  Mike pulled him into a one-armed hug, ruffling his head fur. “I was busted out not long after though. Oddly the two who got me out when the catcher stopped for gas said they worked for your dad.”
  Grimm blinked, looking surprised.
  “We actually met, but your dad didn’t seem all there. When I tried to find you after I left him, I couldn’t find you anywhere. I was depressed for awhile, but I was sure I’d find you again.” Mike said, smiling. Met back up with my mom, and stayed for awhile before I came back today when you found me.”
  “Yeah,” Grimm’s tail wagged, “now we’re back together, and I’m happy we are. It’ll be nice catching up and… You are going to stay with the gang right Mike?”
  Mike gave him a playful, slurping lick on the cheek. “Of course I am buddy, who do ya think those special friends I mentioned were?”