Page 6 of Pooch Planet

With a bang, the door to the bar flew open and Sonny burst in. Benji whipped his head around in shock at the sight of the panting Pomeranian, a fellow worker from the factory. His features were twisted in an expression of terror, eyes bugging out and body trembling.

Sonny screeched, “There’s been another attack! There’s been another attack!”

A chorus of excited barks and yips filled the bar, everyone shoving chairs aside as they scrambled for the exit.

“Where?”

“Who was it?

“Have you notified the sheriff?”

“Did you see what happened?”

Everyone yelled on top of each other, question after question being tossed in the air with seemingly no expectation of an answer.

A scruffy older dog grabbed Sonny by the collar. “Where the Hades are the G-Force troops? I’m sick of waiting for those gargoyle bastards!” He shook poor Sonny, whose eyes bugged out even more. “Aren’t they supposed to be protecting us?”

Benji jumped off his bar stool then lunged for the crazed hound, desperately trying to peel the attacker’s gnarled fingers from a choking and sputtering Sonny. Shep appeared at his side and added his strength to the battle. Out of the corner of his eye, Benji noted that Butch was observing the display and licking his chops.

The fuck? Thanks for all the help.

Benji returned his attention to the struggling Sonny whose face was turning purple, his attacker beginning to froth at the mouth. Benji was done. As much as he hated to beat up an old man, he wasn’t about to let him choke an innocent Pomeranian to death.

Benji sunk his teeth into the man’s arm and bit down as hard as he could. The shifter howled in pain, but he released his grip on Sonny, who collapsed to the floor, Shep tumbling down with him.

The old shifter rolled on the ground, cradling his injured arm and yelping, “He bit me! He bit me!”

One of the man’s bar companions attended to his friend, while Benji offered a hand to both Shep and Sonny then helped them to their feet. Almost immediately, the crowd started questioning Sonny again, but were much calmer in their inquiries. Benji caught a few worried glances directed his way.

“That was something else, little pooch.” Butch’s raspy voice next to Benji’s ear gave him a start. “I bet you’re wild and feral in the sack.”

Gross.

Benji shot Butch a glare, but before he could respond verbally, someone in the crowd yelled out, “The sheriff’s siren! Let’s go!”

Without another word, Butch and his cronies took off in the direction of the rubber-neckers and Benji turned to Shep, shaking his head.

“I can’t go out there, I just can’t. Not after last night.” His shoulders dropped. “I’m scared to find out who it was.”

Shep regarded him with compassion. “I know. If the G-Force doesn’t get here soon, I’m not sure what good having a patrol is gonna do us anyway.”

Benji placed his hands on his hips. “Thanks a lot!”

Shep waved his hands at Benji. “No, I wasn’t commenting on you being scrawny or a coward, just that I don’t think there’s much hope.”

Benji arched his eyebrows, his jaw dropping. He loved his friend, but man, sometimes the guy didn’t think his statements all the way through.

“In other words, I’m doomed.”

“Oh no, that’s not what I meant at all.” Shep patted Benji’s back. “I meant we’re all doomed.