Lydia had been in charge of Operation Playtime and spent the majority of her time overseeing its completion. Her arrival at the backyard bash could only mean one thing. Rubix went straight to the edge of the pool and let Ellie climb down from her perch on his head. He climbed out of the pool and the animals simultaneously shook the water from their fur. Ellie was quite the little fluff before but now... whew. 

Rubix sat excitedly in front of Lydia to hear whatever news she might have to report. She gave a single nod to Rubix who immediately stood on his hind legs and gave Lydia a very wet hug. She laughed and returned the hug. Rubix hopped down and ran to the edge of the pool barking furiously at Jace, he was so excited, the tour could begin! Ellie and Lydia went inside to dry off as Rubix got Jace out of the pool. By the time Ellie and Lydia were finished, Rubix and Jace were standing on the front porch, still slightly dripping. 

Rubix was so excited, he lead the way looking back and barking at the group of humans and animals. Realizing they were going to walk the whole way, Ellie ran up to Rubix and climbed on so that she wouldn't hold up the group of fast creatures. Rubix made his way through the streets of Chicago, in front of each landmark he would stop and give a few barks. It was a good thing Lydia was there and knew the area already, she did an excellent job translating, maybe, it wasn't quite clear what Rubix was trying to say but Lydia was able to improvise like a champ. 

When Rubix was within sniffing distance of Operation Playtime he was unable to control his excitement, his front paws continually lifted off the ground like he was marching in place. There was a large bus sitting on the street corner where Rubix had everyone gather, it was directly across from Operation Playtime and the easiest way to do an unveiling of something so large. Lydia commanded the bus driver with a voice of authority, 

"Bus Driver! Move Your Bus!"

The driver put the bus into gear and pulled away, revealing a massive dog park that looked suspiciously like the exact dog park from Philadelphia. As Rubix stepped into the street every car in the area stomped on their brakes, his tail wagged with excitement. He was always bad at looking both ways and this new city rule was really working out in his favor. The group crossed the street and Ellie and Rubix immediately went into play mode, they started to chase each other back and forth until Lydia pulled out a small ball from her pocket, causing Rubix to stop in his tracks and stand motionless, waiting for the throw. As the animals began to play Jace couldn't help but smile as he felt like he was home in Philadelphia, in the same park where he met Rubix and went for their first walk. It was so familiar. Even the swing set had the same chips of paint missing from it... Was this... The same park?

She hadn’t been in Chicago long but Lydia already knew this was the place for her to be. Rubix and the others quickly grew on her, how could they not? Dogs, ferrets and even a few people as well, it was a perfect ratio of individuals. It made the whole home vibe set in shortly after walking through the doors. 

It was an easy yes for her when Rubix asked her to be in charge of operation playtime. Who wouldn’t want to be in charge of something so awesome, well maybe Kaeden but that’s another story. The moment she was put in charge she ran with it, along with Rubix and Ellie, those two loved to run. How they always had so much energy she didn’t know but wished she had it or knew how to obtain it. She had a feeling though that being human was something to do with it, so she didn’t put much time into looking for that answers. 

Instead she had put all of her time, day and night into making sure operation playtime was a proper success. The animal park needed everything and anything that seemed remotely fun and animal safe. Money was not an obstacle, the only real issue was trying to find the proper stuff. There was of course a zero entry pool, that was kept heated during the cooler months. You had your tunnels and tubes obstacle courses, the climbing area for those venturous enough to climb. There was a built in ground level constant recirculating water fountain and of course an area lined with fire hydrants, for those got to go moments. 

Best of all there was an acre of just opened lawn, perfect for ball tosses and doggy wrestling. Speaking of which, balls.... there were bins all through out the park stocked pile high with balls of all sorts: tennis, baseball, racquetballs, soccer balls, kick balls etc... there wasn’t a ball that was missing, it was truly animal bliss. 

She could tell she had done good once she saw the look on Rubix face. He didn’t even have to speak like a good boy, she just knew. The time was here, it was time to reveal the park. 

Lydia made her way to the gathering of people and stood in front of a bus that blocked the sight of the park, once everyone was quiet she ordered the bus driver to move the bus. The looks on everyone’s faces was pure delight as everyone stood there in awe. 

“Well, let’s all not stand here and look at the place it’s time to play.”

Lydia reached into her pocket and took out a brand new tennis ball. She waves it back and fourth a couple times before hurling it in the open field. Without hesitation Rubix took off, bumping Lydia on the way. The bump spun her around, making her far the direction Rubix was running. The sight made her chuckle.

Jace immensely loved the tour of the city and it reminded him so much of his first real day in Philly when Rubix took the time out of his busy day to show him around the town. Lydia was doing a great job of interpreting Rubix's barks to let them know what he thought were important landmarks or places that would be shaping up now that the "Big Dog" was in town, it truly was a lovely day which got even better when Lydia told the bus driver to move and they saw Operation Playground!

Jace walked into the park while Rubix was running around for the ball, there was something about the park..........it just looked so familiar? As Rubix played Jace was taken in by Deja Vu he couldn't help but feel like he'd been here before, he went around to look into the park more and then it hit him this felt and look like the same park they had visited when he first met Rubix! He surveyed it once more and everything was exactly where it was back in Philly, he looked at Ellie who was on his shoulder and pet her before wondering over to Lydia. "Lydia where did you get all this? Did you remodel this whole thing after another park?!"

Lydia stood there admiring the park and the fun Rubix amongst others were having, she would have pat herself on the back but have you ever tried to reach your own back it isn’t easy. That’s when JaceCorso walked over to where she was standing, he had Ellie perched on his shoulder. You could tell she wanted to go play as well but must have just been waiting for the right moment, Lydia reaches over and gave her a gentle rub on the head while nodding towards the park, trying to convince her to go play but she just stood there perched, watching. 

Jace gave Eillie a look then looked over at Lydia whom he was now standing next to. 

“Where did you get all of this? Did you remodel this whole thing after another park?!” 

Lydia gave him a wink and smiled.

”Well... that’s funny you mention that. I just may have used the idea of the park in Philadelphia. Rubix told me I was in charge of getting this all together and he wanted it similar to the one he knew all too well.” 

Jace tilted his head slightly 

“He told you?” 

Lydia laughed a bit before answering that question.

”Well you see, I’ve kind of picked up DoggoLingo. It’s kind of a hidden talent I never knew I had until recently. Kind of awesome, isn’t it?”

The ball first bounced on the sidewalk that ran through the park, it kept going but it was slower and Rubix was catching up. It came down for its second bounce right over the hill's edge, it was now picking up speed again but Rubix was still closing the gap. Next bounce for sure he thought as he tried to predict where it would come down again. 

The ball made its decent and Rubix opened wide, he turned his head to the side and gave a final push off with his back legs when something went horribly wrong. His legs flew out from under him on a patch of mud, his eyes fixated on the ball still as the whole world went sideways, the ball landed in the mud and stopped dead while Rubix slid out of control. 

When Rubix finally slowed to a halt he took a moment to collect himself and admire his new mud tint. He picked his paws up high and squished his way back to the area where the ball landed. His eyes could only get him so close, it was his nose that would get him the rest of the way there, he lowered his nose to the ground and began searching the mud. It was not long before he picked up on the scent of Lydia left by her hand and pocket on the ball. He gently plucked it from the mud, it did not taste as great as he was hoping for it to. 

He knew just how to solve the problem, he was going to drop the ball in the water fountain to clean it off and make it taste better. The ball plopped into the fountain and the water dribbled over it, taking the mud away with it down the drain. While Rubix was waiting he realized he was also covered in mud and that it was the greatest time to try out the pool. He picked up the tennis ball and ran for the pool, there was a few squirrels along the path but they ran up the trees at first glance of Rubix. He was not all that interested in the squirrels right now, he wanted to try out the pool and get back to his human friends. 

Flinging himself in the pool created a large splash but the mud seemed to clear off of him instantly. The pool was so great but it was empty, he was certain Jace and Ellie would love to see this pool, after all, their last pool party was such a success! Rubix pulled himself out of the pool and shook off the water, the tennis ball still clenched tightly in his mouth. He found the hill that he had initially chased the tennis ball over and made his way upwards. He bounded back to the group and dropped the ball on the ground and barked at JaceCorso and Ellie. 

Woof Woof

Rubix demanded that Jace and Ellie play, this was Operation Playtime, were they not informed? Lydia was throwing balls and doing a great job at it, she even bent down to pick up the ball again to throw it. Rubix would of course be obliged to go get it but he was so excited to see everyone's expressions as they saw and enjoyed this little slice of heaven. 

Ellie had been so excited for this day.  It had been a big to do and her Lydia had said something about 'Operation Playtime'  Anything Playtime was a good time.  And earlier that day she had said that it was to be today!  Where would they go to play?  She remembered seeing plans about something being built, but she honestly was hungry at the time, so she didn't remember much about it.  But she remembered that whatever it was, was built, ready, and prepared to be enjoyed by human and animal alike.  Rubix always did know how to have a good time!  Well it started with a walk through Chicago.  This crazy city had started growing on her.  It was up to them to build it up, and they were doing their very best to do just that!  Wiggling with excitement she would trot out alongside Rubix and Lydia and any of their family members that might attend with them.  Honestly!  Who wouldn't want to?!  She was certain that it was going to be absolutely beautiful!  She wriggled in glee and climbed up on Rubix's back looking around.  She wasn't sure how far they were walking, but her little legs didn't move near as fast as his.  

Happily she rode along with Rubix, nodding as he barked about different landmarks.  Occasionally she would chitter her own opinions about a place, or this or that, a certain tree she loved...  That leaf that she'd tried to catch but always seemed to fly just when she almost had it!  At one of their pauses, she would scramble from Rubix up to Jace's shoulder, scrambling up his shirt and curling up against his neck.  She churred softly as she chittered some more before falling quiet and just enjoying the scenery.  It was a beautiful walk here!  She did love it so.  

The walk didn't take long and soon they had arrived at the park!  Oh this was a new park!  She hadn't seen it before!  She wiggled in glee as her little eyes tried to take in every detail at once.  She was quivering there upon Jace's shoulder, but not out of fear...  Oh no...  This was a thrilling place full of possibilities and excitement.  She was frozen as her little ferret mind tried to wrap around it and figure out just what she wanted to jump into first.  With Rubix as her best friend, she had learned to enjoy the water.  It really wasn't that scary with him around.  There were so many beautiful things to try and they were all brand new!  It looked very much like the park they knew and loved back home... Now it was in their new home?  Only better?!  Oh Lydia you had outdone yourself!  Ellie nuzzled Jace's neck gently, looking out to the park wondering if he was going to join them.  

THERE!  A ball just flew and Ellie seriously thought about tearing after it.  But Rubix was already on it.  She snorted softly in her ferret manner when he found the mud.  Oh this wouldn't turn out well.  She stood up on her toes as she found herself concerned for his well being.  But he was up and in the fountain, then the pool before she knew it.  Oh good.  She settled back down against Jace's neck again.  But soon enough she would crawl down from his shoulder, gazing out into the park.  She moved over to rub gently against Lydia's leg, expressing her adoration and thanks for this wondrous place as she gazed up adoringly at her before suddenly tearing off out into the field to hopefully get some sort of advantage in chasing that crazy ball.  One really might wonder if she had some canine blood in her, or if she had been spending too much time with her best friend.

Rubix watched as Ellie chased after the next ball to be thrown. He chased her playfully, burning off some excess energy and watched as her tiny body hopped its way up to the ball and jumped over it, her back arched up and trapped the ball beneath her, she walked/hopped backwards with the ball trapped under her pulling it along gleefully. Rubix was stunned she had such control and defense over the ball without just picking it up in her teeth. Now he found a challenge, could he get the ball from her? How secure was she moving it? Rubix was about to find out. He caught back up to her in no time but forgot how quickly she could change directions and with such swift speed. 

Rubix spun out in the field attempting to make a tight turn, he found himself laying on the ground, the grass was soft and the sun was warm so he skillfully played it off like he meant to take a high speed lay down, maybe they'd all buy it. Maybe not, after all he always spins fourteen times each afternoon to find the comfiest spot. Always fourteen, and always spinning clockwise, was it Obsessive? Yes. Was it Compulsive? Yes. Did he get a tiny bit dizzy? Yes. 

The humans immediately started to laugh, they probably didn't buy it. Rubix stuck out his tongue and watched as Ellie triumphantly picked up the ball with her teeth and tried to stand on her hind legs to deliver the ball back to Lydia. Rubix lowered his head as Lydia took the ball, this throw, this one was his, Rubix was going to get this one, he was ready.