What’s Outside Our Neighborhood? The Adventures of Jake, Willard and Winston

3 dogs venture out of there neighborhood and struggle to make it home.

Let me tell you a story. A story about three dogs. Jake, Willard and Winston. They lived in the same neighborhood just a few houses apart. They would meet up everyday and shoot the breeze, chase cars and whatever other foolishness they could get into.

Jake was part shepherd and part god only knows. He was smart though. His quick thinking usually kept them out of harm's way. Willard was a a little trouble maker. Chihuahua through and through. He had a habit of letting his mouth get him into all kinds of trouble. Winston was the calm and sophisticated type, a Labrador. He would offer good advice to the other two about being calm and relaxed but he knew he was wasting his breath. Jake and Willard lived on the edge. Adrenaline junkies of a sort, while Winston was the calm and collected one who usually had to pull the other two out of the proverbial fire. If dogs needed bail money Winston would be the one putting it up.

One sunny day Willard had decided he wanted to see what was outside their little neighborhood. Of course Jake was all for it. They were jumping around like two tweekers headed to the scrap yard. Winston thought better of it but he knew if he didn’t go along, Jake and Willard might find themselves in the lockup. That’s no place for civilized dogs to be.

The three were careful not to be seen slipping away from the neighborhood. They had never been away from the safety of their homes before. They explored the streets and alleys of the town. Enjoying all of the fine food that had been thrown to the garbage. They couldn’t believe how great everything seemed until suddenly they heard a loud growl. It was a giant rottweiler with a spiked collar and a bad attitude. “What do you think you’re doing here? You’re on my turf. What makes you think you can muscle in on my food?”

Jake just stood there silently while Willard did what he usually did. He started yapping and mouthing off. What else would you expect from a spoiled chihuahua. Winston however quickly tried to talk a little sense into him but wasn’t having much luck. Jake being the clever one quietly slipped around behind the mean rottweiler while his attention was drawn to the annoying little Willard. As soon as the big dog decided to pounce, Jake pushed a stack of crates over onto the big dog and the three of them ran away as fast as they could before the rottweiler realized what had happened. “That was close!” Willard exclaimed. “If you’d keep that yapper shut we might not have needed to escape that way.” Winston said. “Good thinking Jake. You saved us.” Winston proclaimed.

“Guys I really think we’ve had enough for today. We should head back home.” Jake said. About that time a van pulled in squealing its tires. “Oh no!” Exclaimed Winston, “It’s the dog catcher, the 5-0, you know, the man!” Jake yelled “come on we can still get away! Follow me!” The three ran as fast as they could with the dog catcher following close behind. They ran through an open door into the kitchen of a little Italian restaurant and straight through to the front door knocking down waiters and customers alike. They finally made it back to their neighborhood and slipped back into their own yards like they had never been anywhere. “Ok, that was too close. I don’t think I want to wander outside of our neighborhood anymore. We could have gotten killed.” Jake explained. “I think you’re right.” Said Willard, “That terrifying rottweiler could have swallowed me in one bite.” Winston just sat back and was relieved Jake and Willard didn’t want anymore excitement. He knew that was just temporary. Before long Jake and Willard would get restless and it would all start over again.

Winston thought to himself, “Why can’t I just be friends with cats, or that cockatoo down the street. They’re too grumpy to get into so much trouble.” With that, another day was over. What adventures would another day bring?

The End