The Miraculous Second Life of Blue Eyes

They led me out of the kennel on a chain leash with a rope collar around my neck. I couldn’t help but woof happily and pull on the rope holding me back as we left the building. I had finally gotten out!

“Woah, girl! She’s a puller.” Alan commented, giving my leash a jerk. I took the hint and backed off a little, chuffing my disappointment. Swinging my head to view my surroundings, I quickly spotted the looming bus at the far, empty end of the parking lot.

“Well, she was pretty well behaved back in the kennel! I think we still made the right decision.” Aaron confirmed. My tail whipped the muggy air of a cloudy California afternoon around as I signaled my happiness.

“She’s a good dog, don’t worry.” Austin murmured. I nosed against his leg, causing him to lean down and rub my back affectionately. The familiar smell of muggy plants and prickling sensation of distant ocean tickled my nose. It would rain soon.

Tino fumbled for the keys, eventually pushing them into the lock and opening the door. I resisted from bolting right into the bus, into the air conditioning, and into freedom.

Alan trailed me up the steps as I pulled harder against the chains, nearly choking myself against the feeble rope collar that would be no match against my strength! The bus was just how I remembered it, the couch just as warm where Austin always sits next to Alan, the table where Tino would drum on, and the front seat where Phil would spend hours driving and Aaron always correcting his directions.

I remember this place so clearly now. I remember sitting in my old bunk, the one they always saved for an extra merch guy or for a photographer traveling with them. I remember Austin making pancakes as a Saturday morning ritual and I attempted to help him make them into different shapes and animals. What a good time it was.

Alan choked up on the leash again, holding me back as the door was closed. I panted happily, like most dogs do when they feel joy. “Did Linda say she was house trained already?” Phil asked quietly in the background. “No clue.” Aaron replied. Alan pressed his hand down on my back, forcing me to sit. An army of smells overpowered me for a moment. I sniffed and coughed, choking on the familiarity and the overwhelming sensation of all the odors attacking me at once. The collar around my neck disappeared and I was freed.

I jumped out of Alan’s reach as he leaned down to grab something else. Alan grumbled something about rather having a cat and chased me around the bus. I couldn’t help but laugh as he struggled. Having four paws made me a lot faster than two legs!

“Are you sure we got the right dog?” Phil grumbled as he made a dive for me. I jumped out of his way onto the couch. Austin was sitting there and I skidded to a stop as his arms trapped me. A little yip of surprise escaped my maw as he held me down. A little sigh escaped and I gave up.

“Let go!” I grumbled as he held me tightly and I squirmed as Alan came near. All that escaped was a woof and once again I had to curse the ability not to communicate with the humans.

“Oh no you don’t.” Austin ruffled my fur as he chuckled. A new collar was clipped on around my neck. I struggled to look down at it but couldn’t see.

“There. Now we have a metal husky.” Alan chuckled, scratching that sweet spot behind my left ear. Austin’s arms let go of me as I stood up on the couch, sniffing my shoulder and attempting to see what was now on my neck.

“Rock on!” Austin smiled. The bus grumbled to life, lurching forward as music started to flow out of the speakers. I had forgotten about this part! The bus was kind of old and always was giving a surprising jerk forward when it started and would catch anybody unaware of the vehicle’s habits.

Needless to say, I had forgotten this fact and slid off the couch, falling with an oomph against the carpeted floor. Two hands reached down, dragging me back up onto the couch. I looked up to see Austin smiling, sticking his tongue out a little like he usually does when he’s happy and grins. He pulled me up onto his lap and I sat down.

“Aw, the little puppy’s gotta get her feet under her, don’t you sweetie.” He cooed, running his hands over my soft silver and black fur. Puppy? I’m no puppy! I used to be a young adult, not some little kid! I’m not a little puppy!

I barked louder, establishing the fact that I am in fact not a little puppy! I’m three feet tall, a full grown husky! I am big!

“Blue Eyes is so itty bitty! What a cutie.” Alan chuckled as he passed by, flopping on the spot next to Austin. I growled lightly. Alan’s hands reached over. They seemed to be the size of dinner plates. When did he get so big?

“Aw Blue. What a pretty puppy.” Alan make little kissy faces and I struggled in his grasp. He held me up by the front legs. I tilted my head. What was so funny?

“I’d be able to fit her in my bass drum box.” Tino remarked from his table, temporarily stopping the diddles to speak. I looked over Alan’s shoulder into the reflection from the window.

The more I looked closely, the better I had a view of my real size. Before, in the kennel, I thought I was a three foot tall, fully grown husky that was a large, majestic dog. Nope. I’m a little pipsqueak!

Alan handed me back to Austin, where I just gave up trying to be tough and sat on his lap, feeling sleepy. The short bursts of energy had worn me out. Austin stroked my nose, running a finger up my short snout. I lay down on his lap, putting my paws on his arm and setting my head down on top of those.

First I’m given the new form of a dog. Now, it’s not the big dog that I thought, but just a little puppy husky. A little sigh escaped my mouth as my eyes closed, tail drooping, and the familiar hum of Austin breathing lulling me to sleep.

“Science side of the bus, why are puppies so cute?” Aaron asked from the front.

“Because small things are instantly cuter.” Phil responded. Underneath me, I felt the bus swerve to avoid hitting a biker or something else that would be crushed under the wheels. Austin braced himself against the sudden motion.

“Thank you, science side of the bus.” Aaron responded and started to yell at Phil to pay attention to the road.

“Alan, lets watch a movie.” Austin suggested. Alan made some chuffing sound of approval and perhaps gulped down something else. I smelled wheat, so I assumed it was a beer.

“Okay, which movie?” And so the debate began. If I wasn’t so tired and could actually talk to them, I would suggest one of my favorite super hero movies that I knew they stored under the cabinets just for when I came on the bus.

They eventually reached the conclusion of watching Pirates of the Caribbean because it had Jonny Depp and both felt like a Jonny Depp mood and the soundtrack was always awesome. “Here, let me get the movie if you get the popcorn.” Austin offered. I started to feel him shift beneath me and I whimpered for him to stop. He was warm and I comfortable!

“No! Don’t move!” Alan nearly yelled. Austin fell back in his seat, arms tucked around me.

“I can help…” Austin trailed off. Alan must’ve shaken his head. There was a weight that was removed off the couch and shuffling of footsteps hidden into the motor’s purr.

“When you have a puppy sleeping on you, you can’t move ‘cause it’s illegal.” Oh hey, I knew that quote! It was Tumblr and it was also true!

Perks of being a puppy: No one moves you.

“Ha, okay.” Austin laughed and continued stroking the top of my head until I drifted off to the opening notes of the theme for the movie.

Notes