Warm light filled the living room. Eggy and Tutu kept their heads bowed, ears pressed flat, every trembling hair a testant to their anxiety.
They didn’t dare to look at Renee Jennings’s family, afraid of seeing disgust on the human faces.
Just then, a childish voice piped up, "You’re the doggies who beat up the bad guys!"
Eggy and Tutu snapped their heads up, their gazes eting the clear, innocent eyes of the little boy.
"I rember you, too!" Eggy barked.
"Eggy says he rembers Zane, too." A faint smile touched Renee Jennings’s lips as she introduced Eggy and Tutu to everyone.
"Eggy, Tutu, we were so lucky to have you that day..." Diana Jennings said, walking over to thank them sincerely.
Rhea Dempsey and Dalton Jenson also brought out so dog food for Eggy and Tutu.
Feeling the family’s warmth, Eggy and Tutu gradually relaxed, the fear in their hearts beginning to fade.
The lively New Year’s Gala played on TV, adding to the festive atmosphere. Eggy and Tutu lay on the soft carpet, their round, curious eyes glued to the screen. It was their first ti watching the gala.
Renee Jennings watched them, her heart heavy with complicated feelings.
’She wanted to help them, but she felt powerless.’
「The first day of the new year.」
Dawn cast a thin, golden veil over the city. The sll of gunpowder from the previous night’s firecrackers still lingered in the streets and alleys. Fiery red couplets adorned every door, filling the air with the festive joy of the New Year.
After giving her family their red envelopes, Renee Jennings turned and saw Eggy and Tutu sitting on the balcony, their backs to her.
"I wonder how Boo and the others are doing," Eggy whimpered.
"I really hope they’re okay," Tutu said sadly.
They were worried about their old friends.
Renee Jennings called out, "Eggy, Tutu, I’m heading out. Want to co?"
"Yes!" Eggy barked, imdiately running toward her.
Tutu followed close behind.
Renee Jennings took them to Prosperity Gardens on her electric scooter.
Pedestrians thronged the streets in their new clothes. So hurried along, while others laughed and joked around.
Renee Jennings found a secluded corner and pulled out so bread to attract the mice.
Before long, a few small mice had scurried out from various nooks and crannies.
"Renee, you’re here!"
Renee Jennings broke the bread into small pieces for them and asked in a low voice, "Have you seen any humans trying to catch dogs lately?"
One of the mice paused its nibbling. It looked up at her with its beady eyes and squeaked, "We have! Those humans ca by again last night. When they saw all the nearby dogs were gone, they got furious and wouldn’t stop cursing!"
Renee Jennings’s brow furrowed. "Did you hear anything else they said?"
The mouse chewed its bread, thinking for a mont. "I rember now! They said the dogs probably found food for the New Year and went into hiding. They said they’d co back to catch them after the holidays are over."
"I see. Thank you." Renee Jennings left the rest of the bread for them and departed with Eggy and Tutu.
Back at Blissborne Garden, she told the two dogs, "You can keep staying with for the next few days."
On the evening of the third day of the New Year, a small mouse scrambled up a drainpipe on the exterior wall and onto the balcony of Renee Jennings’s apartnt.
Blueberry was strolling lazily through the living room when she suddenly sensed sothing. With a "OW," she pounced toward the balcony.
"AAAAAH! A CAT!" Jack the Mouse shrieked in terror.
’When did Renee get a cat? And there are two of them!’
Cici was drawn over by the commotion.
Stared down by two cats, Jack the Mouse trembled from head to toe. His delicate whiskers quivered with fear as his tiny paws frantically scratched at the floor, as if he could dig a hole and bury himself.
’I’m a goner today!’
’I’ve never even had a girlfriend! I have so many regrets! I should have said yes when that she-mouse was hitting on !’
Seeing this, Rhea Dempsey let out a sudden shriek. "How did a mouse get in the house!"
"Don’t be scared, Mom! This cat knows how to catch it!" Blueberry owed urgently.
Cici looked at her admiringly. "Blueberry, you’re amazing!"
After her initial scream, Rhea Dempsey saw her two cats in a combat-ready stance, poised to catch the mouse. She called out, "Zane, Jasmine, want to co watch the cats catch a mouse?"
Zane and Jasmine imdiately ca running on their short little legs.
Renee Jennings ca out of her room just in ti to see Blueberry pounce, pinning the escaping Jack the Mouse with one paw.
"Spare the mouse!" Renee Jennings cried out.
Blueberry turned her head, confused.
Seeing his savior, Jack the Mouse imdiately squeaked, "WAAAH! Renee, save !"
Renee Jennings hurried over and crouched in front of the cat and mouse. "Blueberry, let Jack go," she said urgently.
"Renee, you know him?" Blueberry owed, lifting her paw.
The rescued Jack the Mouse imdiately scurried to hide by Renee Jennings’s feet, his beady eyes wide with lingering terror and unease.
Renee Jennings sighed. "Jack’s a friend. He’s the one who led the charge to help deal with the Old Hag last ti."
Rhea Dempsey recalled the incident and quickly apologized to Jack the Mouse. "I’m so sorry, we almost hurt you by mistake."
After she said it, she was surprised at herself. ’How could I speak so naturally to a mouse?’
Renee Jennings held out her palm, and the little creature imdiately climbed on. "Jack, did you co looking for about sothing?"
Safe in Renee Jennings’s palm, Jack the Mouse finally felt secure enough to speak. He squeaked, "Renee, so of the outside mice ca and asked to tell you sothing: the dog catchers are back."
Eggy’s and Tutu’s fur instantly bristled, and low growls rumbled in their throats.
"Bad guys!"
"Beat up the bad guys!"
Renee Jennings pursed her lips, her brow tightening. A sharp, cold light glinted in her beautiful eyes. "Co on, we’re going out."
She grabbed a black down jacket, with Eggy and Tutu following at her heels.
"Where are you all going this late at night?" Rhea Dempsey asked.
Renee Jennings lifted her chin, her voice cool and allowing no room for argunt. "To catch so thieves."
With that, she opened the door, and the trio—one human, two dogs—rushed downstairs.
Oh, right. And Jack the Mouse.
Diana Jennings watched Renee Jennings go, her expression filled with worry.
**
Night shrouded Zenvia like a giant silk cloth, and the cold moonlight spilled across the land like a silver veil.
Renee Jennings, Eggy, and Tutu hid behind a large tree.
On the street, an electric scooter drove back and forth, its rider appearing to search for sothing.
Eggy stared at them, a constant low growl rumbling in his throat. "They’re so despicable! I’m going out there and acting as bait!"
"Wait, don’t—" Before Renee Jennings could finish, the enraged Eggy had already charged out.
Hearing his companion’s barking, Tutu asked anxiously, "Renee, should I go out, too?"
"Stay put." Renee Jennings’s brow furrowed.
Eggy charged the dog thieves, barking furiously. "You despicable humans! How dare you take my brothers!"
"A dog’s walking right into our trap! And a black-and-tan with eye spots, at that!" The green-haired dog thief was ecstatic, quickly flinging the lasso in his hand.
The lasso tightened around Eggy’s neck. As the dog thief yanked it hard, Eggy let out a painful whimper.
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