September 8th 2011 5:33 am
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Ben gulped and nearly choked. He knew that it didn't look good and thanks to EG, he was going to have to join a new crew.
The pro-raccoon crowd, most of which were crew of the Dutch Flute, began to congratulate each other. A fine feast they would have thanks to the generosity of their captain.
I looked at Stryker and the disappointment was so very easy to read in his eyes. A poker face he certainly didn't have. Cleo rested her paw and placed it on his shoulder, she, too, knew that the last card hung on a wing and a prayer. I sure wish that Wyoming were here with us, I thought to myself. She always found a way to look at the bright side of everything. After all, she had fought cancer for several years and being successful at that brings with it lots of optimism.
I also thought about Roman, Sam, Cheyanne and Autumn. The four were on the floating doghouse that was just next to the Dutch Flute, waiting for our return, unaware of what was unfolding. Tinsleigh, Kirby and Abby also had no idea, instead of joining us they had gone with Spike, Alex, Harley, Remington and Max to the movie theatre. The movie was likely just getting out.
Remy and Magnum pulled me from my thoughts as they tried to make a little break in the crowd so that Rosie could see. Remy lifted her onto his shoulders.
I looked back at Ernie George and in all the chaos and excitement he simply stroked his reddish beard with his paw.
The dealer burned a card and pulled the next one, the river. Slowly the dealer turned the card. From my vantage point, I first saw that it was red, and then I could make out that it was a diamond. It was from the reaction of the crowd that I knew it was a five.
A straight flush!!!! The improbable had happened.
Ben felt his knees buckle and give out. Luckily Quincy was next to him and caught him before he ended up sprawled out on the floor.
"Cheat!" The outraged raccoon bellowed. "Swine, dirty, dirty little cheater!"
"Who is youse callin' a swine?" Countered Ernie George. "Youse George Cooney wanna be!"
The raccoon pounded the table with his paws and knocked it over, sending all of the money, and more importantly, the deed to the Dutch Flute, to the ground.
With a swiftness that I save only when hunting, I dashed for the over-turned table. I clunked my head on a wiggling, massive hinder—the stubby tail shaking back and forth, tickling my nose. Ernie George turned to face me, the rolled up scroll firmly in his mouth. Around us the crowd got crazy. This was just that spark I was talking about that was needed to set off the powder-keg.
At that moment I felt a tightening around the back of my neck and a sharp pull on my fur. The powerful grip lifted me upward and away from Ernie George. I turned and was looking directly into the eyes of a large Grizzle Bear. I only made eye contact with him for a fleeting second when he was launched sideways by a massive blow to his shoulder. The impact forced him to release his grip on me.
The bear skimmed across the floor, crashing into a table that sent the chairs in every direction.
Magnum asked, "Are you okay, Cookie?"
I nodded that I was fine.
The bear got to his paws and let out a mighty roar. My sweet Stryker brushed up against me and stroked the top and side of my head. With him was Cleo.
Standing across from the raging bear, the three—Magnum, Stryker and Cleo¬—prepared for its attack.
"Get EG out of here before they rip him apart," barked Stryker.
I turned and looked back to where I had last seen the head-strong Terrier, but he was gone.
"Cookie!!"
Around me the once behaved crowd now took to rough housing.
"Cookie!!"
I heard my name and turned towards the entrance where I saw Rosie. She was jumping up and down and barking at me. With her were Ben, Quincy and Ernie George.
Quincy reached into his dogpack and took out several of his prized tennis balls. He rolled them on the floor. As the crowd tussled in front of me, several foxes stepped on the balls and lost their footing. A path opened up that led me to the entrance.
As I made my way, I looked back and saw Stryker, Cleo and Magnum taking on two bears. Remy was rushing over to join in the fight.
I reached the others, Ernie George was in the centre and he still clutched the deed in his mouth. He gave it a little shake to show me that he wasn't letting go of it for anyone. Spike, Sheba and Miracle had followed me to the others. We now all stood together in the doorway.
"Let's get out of here," barked Rosie.
We all burst through the bar doors and stumbled out onto the street. The noise of the fighting inside tore through the silent calm of the sleepy little town.
On the corner, stood our dear friend, Louie.
"What in hell's name is going on?" he asked.
"We don't have any time to explain," replied Quincy. "We need to get to the floating doghouse."
Ernie George began to shake his head and point to the deed. Louie looked at him in puzzlement.
EG removed the deed and said, "And the Dutch Flute . . . the floating doghouse and the Dutch Flute. I'm not leaving without it."
Louie continued to look puzzled by the events unfolding.
"He won the merchant ship that is docked next to the floating doghouse in a poker game," Spike barked.
"Well, the old SOB that lost that ship can't be too happy," replied Louie in his cavalier way.
At that moment the doors of the bar opened and Rinky and Boudy came out in a hurry with two cheetahs just behind them snapping their teeth at their heels. As they made their way out they crashed into Louie who had his back to the doors.
"That's it," barked the hot-headed lab/mix. As he turned to face the onslaught, he said, "It'll be fists of fury for some poor sucker."
But as he turned around he found himself face-to-face with the cheetahs and they weren't happy.
Before they could attack, two massive paws gripped each of their heads and smacked them together, reducing them to a pile of limbs on the ground.
"Oh sure, big man," replied Louie. "You have to take all the glory, don't you?"
"A simply thank you will do," chuckled Moe.
Just behind the big man came Stryker, Cleo, Remy and Magnum.
Through the open door of the bar, the raccoon peered out and cried, "Get that dog!!"
To be continued . . .
Leave A Comment | 17 people already have What suspense!
Go Doggies!
Go EG! Cookie, I am on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens! Ooohhh, this is 'citin story. Can' wait fur a nex' pawt! Woofs! What a story so far! Way to go Moe!!! OOOHHHHH! If I were there I'd be a-helpin' out too! Lemme at 'em!
Cookie! I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!!! Way to go Moe!!! OOOHHHHH! If I were there I'd be a-helpin' out too! Lemme at 'em!
Cookie! I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!!! Harley D's eye grow bigger and bigger and he starts to chew on his front paw. Sophie, I scared for the whole bunch of em! WOW! What an exciting story! I'm on paws and needles waiting to see what happens next. If I got them in my mouth, it would only take one shake of my head to level those bears! But...I sure am glad Moe is here with us. He's big! BOL! Yayyyyyyy!!
Ayyyyeeeee .. feels good to be back in the action doesnt it Stryker !!! Awesome!! Can't wait for more!! Can't wait to see the rest! I'd be right there helping 'em too, Roudy...this is getting exciting. Oh boy...on to part 3. HOOOORAY FOR Big MOSES! Him saved the day! That are exactly what Beanie McTavish woulda done if I were up there! Me & Big Moe would make quite a team! Cookie, you tell a mighty fine tales, but all Ernie George can say, are that Grizzly are darn lucky that Captain EG had sailing on him's mind that night, or he woulda been getting heinie-full of Scottie teeth! ARRROOOOOOOOO! OMD...Mama litermalee had goosee bumps reading the second installmalayshun to me. This is so exciting!!!! (zoomie zoomie zoomie, zoom zoom!!!) Yay my Bro is in the story!!! Roman could captain that big ship!!! Go Cookie and EG!! Great story!!
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September 8th 2011 at 5:50 am