A day of adventure.

Frankie stretched as he woke up from his mid-morning nap in the sunny corner of his owner’s bedroom. I wonder if my food has been put out? He wondered as he walked down the corridor towards the kitchen. Luckily his owners were at work for most of the day and the dogs were locked outside. Far away from him. He had the whole house to himself. Frankie wandered into the kitchen and jumped out the counter, sniffing the air. Yummy. He thought. My favorite seafood flavor. He started eating hungrily. Once he had finished he licking his lips, deciding to climb out the back window for some fresh air. He was sitting on the wall in the back yard when another cat came up to him.

“Oh, good afternoon Frankie.” Salem the black cat from the street over said. 

“What are you doing on our street Salem?” Frankie growled, “you don’t belong here.”

“Frankie, I’m hurt. I was just wandering around.” Salem said sneakily. 

Frankie knew Salem was up to no good. Salem was the troublemaker in the neighborhood. He couldn’t be trusted. As they were looking at each other a van drove up beside them. The State pound was written on the side. The driver quickly got out and grabbed Frankie. As he did so Salem ran away. Frankie hissed and tried to claw his way from the man's grip. Why did I forget that my new collar was arriving today? Frankie thought I should have stayed inside. The man threw Frankie into the back of the van in a cage. Frankie was howling and he saw Salem climb up the tree as the door closed. Hopefully, he’ll get some help but it was unlikely Frankie thought as he curled up in the far corner of his cage. 

After a few seconds the van started moving and drive down the road, away from his house, Frankie thought that he would never see his owners again. Suddenly he heard a soft voice. 

“Hey, you. The fat ginger one.” the voice was saying. "hey look here."

To be honest, Frankie thought he was alone in the van, he looked around. 

“Yeah, you. The new cat.” the voice continued “look down.”

Frankie looked down and saw a big bulldog in one cage and a white rabbit int another. But still couldn’t figure out who was talking. 

“Welcome to the van.” the white rabbit was saying, 

“I need to get out of here,” Frankie said, surprised at his own voice that was shaking “My family will be waiting for me.”

“You have a family? So why are you in here?” the bulldog growled.

“My collar broke last night and my human mom was bringing a new one home today.” Frankie whispered, “I forgot and was out in the street.”

“HAHAHA, rookie mistake. Well lucky for you, we don’t want to be here either.” the bulldog said.

“Yeah, we like the streets. The pound is no place for us.” the rabbit injected. “My name is Buzz by the way. And this is my partner in crime, Tricky.” he pointed at the bulldog.

“I am Frankie. Can you help me get out of here?” Frankie said softly.

Tricky and Buzz whispered between their cages for a little bit then they both nodded.

“Ok, show our those claws fluff ball,” Buzz said towards Frankie. 

Nervously Frankie lifted his front paw and pulled out his nails. 

“Perfect.” Tricky announced, “now try to pick the lock.” 

Frankie nodded as he put a claw into the lock and wiggled it around. Click. It opened. 

A few minutes later Frankie had freed Buzz and Tricky out of their cages, now they were waiting for the man to open the door so they could escape. It opened, Frankie was blinded by the bright sunlight but he felt Tricky pulled him out the van. The three animals ran toward the main road as the man chased them, shouting. They ducked into an ally before the man could see them and hid behind the trash bins. 

“WHOOOO, we did. Good job fluff ball.” Buzz said. 

Frankie looked around, not recognizing where they were. “Where are we? How will I find my way home?” he asked sadly. 

“No problem. I have a great sniffer.” Tricky said proudly, sticking his nose in the air. 

Tricky then started sniffing Frankie all over. Finally, he said “ follow me,” as he put his nose to the ground sniffing. 

It felt like they had walked for miles and it had started becoming dark. Why did I put my hope and trust in a rabbit and a dog? Frankie wondered. I just want to be home. Then Frankie looked up and started to recognize the houses. 

“This is my neighborhood.” Frankie exclaimed “I cannot believe you actually got me home”

“I should be hurt by that.” Tricky snapped “but I love using my sniffer,”

Smiling Frankie saw his house come in view. He then noticed Salem still in the tree where he had been that morning. 

“My oh my. Look who found his way home.” Salem said, climbing down the tree. 

“Yes thanks to some friends of mine who helped me.” Frankie nodded towards Buzz and Tricky.

“That’s a funny joke, Frankie. How did a rabbit and dog help you?” Salem remarked.

“Like this.” Buz clicked his paws and Tricky started chasing Salem down the road. Buzz followed, hopping behind. 

“Thanks for all the help,” Frankie shouted after them.  

Frankie climbed through the front window and walked into the kitchen, meowing nosily. 

“Oh thank goodness you’re home Frankie.” his human mom cheered. “I was so worried about you.” 

She pulled out his new blue-collar from her handbag, it had a shiny new name tag on and she clipped it around Frankie’s neck. 

“Here’s your new collar so you don’t get lost,” she said as she put some of his favorite food in a bowl. “Now eat up. Its almost bedtime.” 

Frankie hadn't realized how hungry he was but he licked the bowl clean. Then he jumped down, walked down the corridor, and back into the bedroom, curling up in his corner before he fell asleep. What an adventure that was today. He thought. But I definitely do not want to repeat it anytime soon.