Chapter 2: Gus to the Rescue!

 "Hey, Guys! What's all the racket about? Something I should know about?" Winston and Romeo stopped their barking and walked over to the big Boxer. "Sure is! If you would have looked behind you, you would have seen that little bitty canoe hit the river bank. You aren't going to believe this, but there was a mouse using the oars and a little white dog barking her head off. I didn't see what happened to them, did you, Romeo?" 

"No, I did not. I mind my own business; not like some dogs I know." Gus grinned to himself. He had heard these two bicker back and forth for quite a long time. "I think they secretly like each other, but would never admit it."

"So whereabouts did this so called shipwrecked canoe hit the bank? Was it anywhere close by? I could walk over and see if they need any help."

Winston, the black lab started to point his tail in the direction that the sun was starting to set. "Over there I think. There's probably nothing that we can do for them. The mouse probably up and ran away from the dog. Who knows where the dog went. She kind of looked like a city ball of fluff if you ask me. Didn't recognize what breed she was. Anyway, I think I'll crawl back under the fence. You had better too, Romeo. You know that Mike and his lady get all kinds of upset if we dig under the fence. See you later, Gus. We have to kick back the dirt against the fence so they don't see that we have been out."

Gus watched them run down by the river bank and indeed both of them crawled under their fence and pretended like they had done nothing wrong and were just being lazy in the warm sunshine. "What a pair those two are."

" I like to help people and other dogs too if I can. I wonder where that little white dog went to. I have a little bit of time left before I have to get back to work. If I can't find her soon, I will have to leave. I hate that there might be a little one out here lost and all alone."

Gus walked slowly in the direction that Winston had pointed to. He didn't see a sign of a canoe, mouse, or a small white dog.  He made a soft growl in his throat. "A mouse and a canoe. I like a good story, but this one was probably not even worth his time looking for them" he thought. Those two dogs, Winston and Romeo, liked to pull pranks and make up stories for fun.

All of sudden he smelled smoke. "This is not good. He started running in the opposite direction towards his home. No! There was fire about a half mile away. "I have to get home and make sure my master and his mom are alright. Then he heard it. Whimpering. "Sounds like a little size dog that's in trouble. I have to get home." Then he saw her. She was hiding in the bushes. She was so little and so very scared. He ran over to her and said, "Little lady, you need help. There is a fire about ten minutes away. I'll get you to safety. I'll put you close to the water. I have to go home and make sure my folks are alright. If they are safe and the humans put out the fire I will come back and get you. You will be okay. Get yourself a drink. I'll be back. I promise. I will try to bring a human back with me. They will get you some shelter and food and water. Now you stay right there!

Lola and Louie Chapter 1: Sink or Swim

Saying good-bye to Marco was the saddest thing that Lola had ever done. He had been not only a best friend, but a protector and and life saver to say the least. Now all she had was this mouse, who says his name is Louie. Well, in this land most all mice had the same name; Louie. She sure was glad her name was a pretty one. However, he was willing to take her to the ship that was headed to the New World. At least, that's what he said. She had to give up eating meat to please him. Berries and cheese were okay, but a nice juicy bone to chew on would be a wonderful treat. 

 As they floated down stream she heard more and different noises. Her little nose seemed to twitch at every turn. The smells were so much different than in the city. It was so much different than she was used to she was a little, no a lot frightened. She found herself curled up in the bottom of the little boat and hoping that Louie knew where he was going. She so wanted to get on board a ship that was going to The New World. She could just imagine what it was like. Oh it was going to be beautiful with lots of trees and beautiful flowers. She closed her eyes and could just see the birds with their red and blue and even yellow feathers. They were singing her song. She couldn't wait!

 Ouch! She let out a little yip. "What happened? Is the boat alright?" Louis just wiggled his nose and ignored her. He wasn't a bit happy about doing this favor for Marco. He was used to doing and going whatever and wherever he wanted to. He also liked to go when and where he wanted to. Now he had to make sure this silly little ball of fluff got on the ship. She'd be lucky not only to get on the ship without being seen, but what did she think she was going to eat? Did she even know it was going to take almost two years to get there? At least that's what he had heard some of his rat friends say. They were thinking about getting on one of the ships to go to the New World as well, but when they heard it was going to be such a long trip they decided to think about it awhile. They wondered if the sailors would eventually run out of food. They couldn't imagine a life without people scraps to eat, especially Italia had the best food ever. Who knew what those sailors would be eating. Plus he heard them say that the rats were the last ones to jump off the ship if it started to sink. 

Lola knew something wasn't right. "Oh no! There is water getting in this boat. I just knew we had hit something. There it is; a hole! We are going to sink! I wish Marco was here. He would have saved me from this horrible mouse and his sinking boat. What am I going to do now? No little mouse is going to save me. "Help! Help! I'm not sure if I can swim. Please help me!"

Louie's end of the boat had not taken on any water so he couldn't imagine what in the world his passenger was barking about. She was shaking like a leaf and had jumped up on some of the nuts he had gathered. They made good trade with the squirrels. They loved them.. He crawled over to where she was looking. "Well, this isn't good. Must have hit a rock back there. Hmm, well I'll have to row the boat to the shore. I guess easy traveling is over with for now. We are going to have to walk until we can hitch a ride with someone. Preferably someone with food. Oh cheese cake, I believe I might have to swim to shore. This thing is sinking fast. I don't know if I can swim!"

                                                &&&&&&&&&&&&&

Gus had the day off. A day off all to himself only happened once in a great while. He was a support dog whose master needed and wanted him by his side most all of the time. He liked the boy, but laying here on the river bank was just like Heaven. Oh this sunshine is so nice and warm. The water makes little noises as it runs by. I just might take a dip after I take a snooze. Just then his whole day off went  sideways. "The neighbor dogs would have to ruin my day. If ever there was a yapper that's a yapper and that big old Lab? Nobody could out bark him. I swear if a leaf blows he has to bark at it. Wonder what they are up to. Guess it wouldn't hurt me to be friendly...

Lola and Marco Chapter 3: Marco Says Goodbye

 Lola didn't think that she would live through the ride on the self propelled cart. It was bumpy and so very fast when they went down the hill. Some of the wine bottles fell off the cart making people yell and wave angry fists at them. Marco reassured her that all would be well. He would protect her. He said his nose told him that there was water nearby. Suddenly the cart stopped. The two dogs fell off the cart shaking off straw and thanking their lucky stars that they were still alive and not hurt. 

Marco looked around and said, "Lola, look! Look through those trees. We are going over there. I was right. There is a stream of water through those trees. I can hear it sing. She hopped on his back and once again Marco was right. It didn't take very long to make their way through the vines and the trees to see that there was a stream of water. It wasn't as big as a canal that the gondolas floated on and it certainly wasn't as big as the ocean, but it was water. It was clear and it was cold and delicious. The two dogs drank as much as they could. They made their way over to the shade of the big trees and decided to lay down and rest before they continued on their journey to the shipyard. 

The arrival of Lola and Marco stirred up some interest of the wildlife that lived by the stream. There were squirrels, frogs, and lots of birds and even some beautiful blue butterflies. Those butterflies were not a bit happy with the visitors because they were close by the flowers that they drank nectar from. They had just settled down for a very juicy lunch with their long straw like tongues when those dogs interrupted them. They flew away to a bush that was a safe distance away from the two dogs. They were interested to see what the strangers were going to do. 

They were soon to hear and see another stranger making a cheerful chittering whistling sound. There was a mouse in a tiny row boat. He had his lunch packed and seemed to be on his way to the sea. At least that's what Lola told Marco. "Oh, Marco, look. There is a mouse. He is not a house mouse, he is a mouse on his way for an adventure. An adventure on the sea. I just know it. Let's ask if he will take us with him on his little boat. I am sure that would be a wonderful way to travel. Look how happy he is!"

Marco looked at the traveling mouse and shook his head. "I am sure he is going to the sea, Lola, but his little boat does not have room for us. See how tiny it is? There is room just for you. I will ask if he will take you to the ship that is going to the New World. But I will stay here. Italia is my home. If the mouse says yes and if he is going to the New World too, I will ask him to take good care of you."

Lola was not a bit happy about leaving Marco. She loved Marco. He had protected her, made sure she had food and water, and believed in helping her achieve her dreams. How could she leave him? Oh, but she so wanted to see the New World. Maybe that mouse wouldn't even take her along with him. A mouse wouldn't take care of her like Marco had been. Oh dear, what should she do?

Marco made his way to the water and splashed it with his big paw. "Hello there, mouse on the boat. Will you take my friend, Lola, with you? She is very small and doesn't eat much. She very much wants to go on a big sailing ship to the New World. Is that where you are going?"

After a long discussion about the mouse not eating meat and Lola eating cheese and fruit the mouse agreed to give it a try only after Lola agreed to keep dangerous cats from harming him on board ship.

Marco had been keeping a secret knowing that at some point in time he and Lola would have to go separate ways; he had gotten her a little gift. He helped her onto the little boat and said, "Here you go, Lola. I got you this so that every time you get afraid or lonely just cuddle up to this little toy and think of me. You will be just fine. Now go on. Go and have your adventure, little one. Go!"

Lola and Marco Adventure Chapter 2 Hungry, Thirsty, AND A Magic Cart?

 Lola couldn't believe that they had successfully jumped onto the gondola. The narrow boat sure wasn't very big. Marco took up a lot of room and Lola buried herself in front of him as good as she could. The man with the stick or oar that was making the little boat move in the water didn't say a word to them. "Maybe he didn't see us. Could we be that lucky, Marco?" Marco made a soft growl in his throat and told her to be very very quiet. He had a lot of thinking to do. He loved his new little friend and wanted to keep her safe. He knew these waterways. People traveled from place to place on them. They would go shopping at a store and sometimes would ride the gondola until they got close to where they lived. He saw them give the man coins. Of course, they didn't have any coins they just had each other. Lola had a dream and he was determined to make that dream come true.

Lola was trembling she was so scared. Maybe this dream of hers would get them penned up again or worse thrown into the water. 

"Oh no, Marco. We are going to shore. There are some people wanting a ride on this thing. We have to get off before someone throws us in the water or worse." Marco agreed. This way of travel was faster than walking to the sea, but it was dangerous. He noticed several carts that had vegetables and fruits for sale on them. It looked to him that just might work for a free ride. He explained to Lola that when the man got the gondola close to the street they would jump and start running as fast as they could. "Remember, hang on to my back as tight as you can. When I see a cart that has room for us I will jump as high as I can."

The gondolier steered the gondola close to the street shortly after. Marco said, "Hang on tight! Here we go!" The gondolier yelled. "Dogs, get out of here." Lola and Marco were going like the wind and didn't see or hear anything but the streets ahead of them. 

Marco eventually slowed down to catch his breath. He was thirsty and hungry. They needed to rest for awhile. Marco had experience on the streets long before he roamed onto the palace grounds. He knew where and how to get some sausages and a drink from some of the vendors called lixae. They were loud and dirty men that would sometimes feed the soldiers. They were messy and often dropped the food they tried to sell on the streets. He heard one of them hawking his food a few feet away. He stopped in an alley. He said, "Okay, Lola. You wait here and I will get you some food. We need water too, but it will have to wait until we get closer to the sea. Now hide as well as you can in this doorway behind us."

Lola was so very scared, but she trusted Marco to take care of her. She backed up and attempted to hide but her white fur was so very white it was hard. It seemed like Marco had been gone for hours. What if he had been discovered stealing food and taken and penned up? She knew about pens. They were awful; even on the palace grounds. She saw rats and big black bugs scampering and running all about the trash looking for food for themselves. There were other dogs, rats, and even a cat. They all looked hungry. Finally Marco came holding a fat juicy sausage in his mouth. "Here you go. Now eat it as slowly as you can. It may be a long time before we find another. I have already eaten so go ahead and enjoy your supper. Don't worry about the dogs and cats. I will protect you. I think that we are close to where the ships are. I can smell the salt in the air. Your dream is about to come true if everything goes well. We do have to have water though. If it would rain we would be in luck, but the sun is shining. Doesn't look good for fresh water."

Marco waited patiently while his little friend ate her sausage. He looked up and couldn't believe his eyes. A wooden cart had just gone by. It had no driver or human around it. It was going all by itself right down the road! There seemed to be wine bottles on it and some straw. "Come, Lola. Jump on my back. We just might have a chance for a ride. I have no idea where the cart is going, but there doesn't seem to be anyone around to hurt or capture us. That girl is a servant so she won't bother us. Let's go! You wanted an adventure, this is the day!"

Lola did as Marco said, but worried where the cart was going and how in the world was it going all by itself? Was it magic?

Leonardo da Vinci smiled as he looked down from a window up above at his new invention and the little scallywags that jumped up on his self propelled cart. "Hmm, I wonder where they are off to and if those two dogs will enjoy a trip on one of the ships going to the new world...