Max, Mort, and Mickey headed for town, looking for a little adventure; maybe a rumble or two. They would run into all sorts of junkyard dogs that they referred to as deadbeat loners. Yes, the three Ms were loners too; and homeless. But they had class; they were going to make something of themselves. Max would always remind them that, one day, they might find real homes.
As night drew on, the three headed back to the three wooden crates that they lived in. They wanted to be there before anyone else moved into their block and stole their refuge. They were not what you would call real homes, but they gave them shelter from the weather, and were near a large restaurant dumpster. It had taken the three of them, battling it out with some bully boxers, to get possession of this prime bit of real estate, and they meant to hold on to it.
As they approached the crates, they heard noises from deep inside one of them. Who was it that would dare try and dislodge the three of them? They, the three comrades, who always acted in unison! At a short distance from the box both Max and Mort barked out threatening warnings. A female dog slowly emerged from the crate that Max slept in. In her mouth were two young pups.
Her eyes caught those of Max as he was about to make his move toward her. Something almost magical happened between them, an instant bond of mutual friendship was forged. Max was not a lady killer by any means, but he was handsome enough that most females in the area took more than passing notice of him.
Her name was Missy, she said as Max moved up closely beside her. He motioned her to take the pups back inside his crate. He barked his request gently so that she would not be scared, and she was grateful for his kind thoughtfulness. She moved her young pups back inside again. When she came out, she brushed her body along his side, her way of saying “Thank you”.
Mort and Mickey were a bit shocked at this gesture. Why would Max give up his sleeping quarters to anyone, even a lady dog? Were not the three of them all comrades together? Max explained that he had felt a gentle pulling at his heart, and that had caused him to react in this way towards her.
Suddenly the clouds opened up. The rain did not stop for several hours. In order to shelter from the storm, Mort and Mickey had to crowd into one crate, allowing Max to have the third crate to himself, since he was the larger of the three. He was also older and wiser than both of them.
Together, Mort and Mickey formed a pact. They would get rid of Missy. They felt that otherwise she was going to break up their magnificent trio. They would not allow that to happen.
While Max and Missy slept, the others worked out a plan. They plotted to quietly drag Missy’s crate down to the edge of the river, so that when she woke up with her pups, she would find herself floating down the fast moving water towards an even greater body of water, the lake.
The major objection to this plan was that Max was a light sleeper. That is why they always could get the jump on any advancing enemy that moved into their territory. As well as that, to-night the moon was full and every shadow and moving image was clearly seen. The slightest movement would alert Max to trouble.
Mort let Mickey know that this plan wouldn't work unless they could draw Max away from the scene of their crime. That very night, the restaurant had just emptied a trash can loaded with steak bones. Mort worked feverishly with Mickey to get as many of the bones out of the dumpster as quickly and quietly as possible.
Mickey and Mort laid a trail of them for Max to follow; away from their block. When they returned, Max was gone. He must have already started to follow the meat trail. This was perfect for our two schemers. They started to drag the crate towards the river.
As they reached the river bank, Max came bounding towards them. In large drum-beat barks he announced his displeasure and disappointment. They both lowered their heads in shame, and slunk away. Max woke Missy. Together they carried the crate and the puppies back to its proper place in the alley. It only took a cold look from Max towards Mickey and Mort to convince both dogs that they knew their fate. They turned with heads held low and left the block where they had until then, spent all of their time with their friend.
Max barked after them. They knew each other's speech well. One loud bark was always ‘no’ and two barks meant ‘stop’. Max barked twice loudly and then paused. A single bark followed. Max pulled out a crate he had hidden behind the dumpster. They could all live together, and still be good friends. With Missy and the pups, they made up a Pack of six. You can't have too many friends.
