Rubix strolled proudly through the streets of Chicago's refurbished Business District, Ellie was perched on his neck taking in all the smells of the fruit stands as they sauntered down the main strip. It wasn't long before a new pie vendor caught Ellie's attention, she steered Rubix by the ears for a detour. The smells of Apple and Cherry pies were Rubix's favorite but Ellie was much more interested in a pumpkin pie.

Rubix knew he was about to buy the whole stand full of pies when the most absurd thing happened. A teenage human that smelled like he was without a home or job, often refereed to as a stray in the canine community, was sniffing the pie section. Without any warning or payment he grabbed Ellie's newfound favorite smelling pie and started running. With a loud and commanding set of barks Rubix demanded the stray to stop, sit and stay. 

WOOF. Woof woof. 

The stray was obviously not obedient. The stall owner began to chase after him but Rubix raised his paw. It was important that he remain to watch over the rest of his pies. Rubix gave a commanding howl and watched as the stray turned the corner into the backalley. Rubix walked slowly toward the back alley and watched as the stray ran back out moments later. Three rottweilers in the area were already herding the stray back towards the business district. Before Rubix could address the stray Ellie took it upon herself to do so. The man looked more confused than anything but he did seem upset with himself. Rubix did not fault the man for being hungry or homeless or even sneaking some food when another human wasn't watching, Rubix was mad that he was not obedient. 

Rubix watched as Ellie chirped at the man until he fell to his knees. She scampered up to his shoulder and gave him a stern talking to. Rubix wasn't sure if she figured out how to talk to humans or if she just had a way with this one or what but he was exceedingly impressed with her. She was now tugging at his collar with one paw and holding up the tiniest fist he had ever seen with the other. The rottweilers behind him had backed up a few feet to give her space to work with. The stray was now visibly sweating, his human words stuttered over a response. Ellie scurried down to the pie and dragged it back to Rubix's feet and gave the stray a final commanding bark. Rubix was surprised she was able to bark. 

That was when the stray bowed down to Rubix and Ellie, he mentioned something about becoming a Good Boy. This was a trigger word for Rubix and instictually he had to bark. Woof. The man returned to his knees and offered his human paw to Ellie and Rubix as a sign of good faith. The rottweilers excused themselves upon watching the hand shaking. Rubix gave them a nod towards the pie vendor, he was going to buy them each a pie for their obedience. 

Ellie was already marching the stray over to the pie vendor who was trying to display a look of disappointment while hiding his curiosity and surprise. The stray handed the pie back to the vendor with his head hung in shame. Ellie looked disapprovingly at him until he apologized while making eye contact. Rubix could not help but wonder how great these streets would be if she were to round up all the strays and put them through an obedience class. It was at that moment Rubix realized he was going to have to buy more than just a few pies for Ellie. 

Rubix walked up to the pie vendor who was very excited to have Rubix and his crew policing the streets and providing protection for his pies. He offered to shake paws with Rubix who of course could not refuse a good paw shake. Rubix tilted his head to the side and shook free some loose bills of human money from his collar, he slid them across the vendor's table and nodded to all the pies. The vendor was so thrilled he gave Rubix a hug and grabbed a few bags to place the pies in. Rubix gave a single pie in a bag to each of the rottweilers and watched as they trotted on their way off to the park to enjoy them. He then wrote a note out to the stray explaining that he was to show up to the address indicated to begin obedience school. He gave the note as well as a pie of a different flavor to the stray. The teenage human nodded and bowed down once more. Rubix patted the human on the head, he was no longer a stray in his eyes. 

Rubix then took the rest of the pies, including the Pumpkin one for Ellie and returned back to the Headquarters. He placed the pie tin on the floor and nodded to Ellie to get to work on it. Rubix himself sat at the table and began writing some letters that would forever change the streets of Chicago for the better. By the time Rubix had finished his letters and sent them with Pawprint Postal to be delivered, Ellie had eaten her weight in pie. He barked to ask her to join him at the table where he slid across the last letter he had worked on. 

Ellie,

Today you showed me that Good Boy's come in all shapes and sizes, even the tiniest member of our operation can prove to be the largest asset. Not only have you yourself struggled to overcome the desire to do bad but you've taken it upon yourself to help show others the way. And you did it with such... Woof. There isn't a good human word to describe it. 

Therefore, it is my hope that you will re purpose the old Textile mill in The Loop to be the base of operations for the Good Boy Obedience School. I'd like you to recruit more of the strays off the streets and teach them how we do things, just like you did today. Also, I think you'll like the old Textile mill, they put in ventilation tubes to add water vapor in the air to make yarn easier to work with. I know the machines are disconnected but the tubes should serve as an ideal way for you to get around such a large building and sneak up on unsuspecting students. 

I know this is a big life change for you, I will give you some time to think about it but I would love if you would be Chicago's new hope. 

🐾

What a day!  Gorgeous weather, wonderful smells, and she got to enjoy it all with her very favorite canine on this earth.  She rode comfortably upon Rubix's shoulders.  She always did feel much safer up here, even if she was fairly fearless anyway.  Being with Rubix just felt right.  Today they were just out doing a little exploring.  That was, after all, her very favorite pastime.  It didn't really matter how many times Ellie traveled down a path, she always found something new to discover.  And today?  That new thing was pie.  

Now Ellie had tasted a lot of foods...  Many things the humans prepared were shared with the little ferret.  And today something new tickled her senses.  Excitement coursed through her as she encouraged her beloved Leader to head that way.  Pie...  They called it pie.  There were so many beautiful and warm smells here and she was fairly lost in the smell of one that the stall vendor called pumpkin...  Oh pumpkin...  The spices used in it were absolutely divine and-Hey!  The pie she had been smell testing was suddenly swiped...  It was one of those two leggeds…  Not one of hers mind you, but another one.  She didn't know his smell...  But as he tried to make his escape, without producing any of those green papers!  She huffed softly.  It bummed her out because she so wanted one.  Maybe the vendor had another that she might be able to purchase...  

This thought process was quickly broken by a very familiar bark.  Commanding and sure came the statement from her leader.  He wanted that human to stop right where he was...  But clearly he didn't speak dog.  She couldn't say she did either, but she knew when Rubix was serious...  And now was one of those times!  Excitement coursed through her as she sat up on her haunches, wondering if the human would respond properly.  Some did and some didn't...  This one didn't.  Ellie's blood pressure began to rise just a bit as she became frustrated with this one.  Didn't he know that when Rubix woofed like that, that you were to stop and sit?  Come now!  She was fairly certain that everyone knew that!  But clearly this youth either didn't or didn't care.  Well Ellie wasn't having any of that.  As soon as the Rottweilers marched him back, Ellie was on this.  Without even waiting for so much as a nod from Rubix, she let the lessons that she had been taught over and over take precedence and she began to scold the two legger most angrily.  

When she was convinced that he had gotten the point, she would relent, indicating that he would give the pie back and apologize to the nice man.  This business was under her crew's protection and there was no way that some poor hungry human was going to interrupt the balance of things.  No matter how her heart went out to him, she knew that his behavior just wouldn't do.  Once recompense had been made, and the human showed his relenting and even engaged in friendly behavior with both herself and Rubix, she felt very much drawn to him.  As the young man spoke of being good, Ellie's spirits lifted.  Perfect!  He wanted to be a good boy!  She was pretty certain she could teach him all about being a Good Boy.  It was already apparent that he had a newfound respect for both the handsome canine and his pretty little ferret.  She would happily welcome him into their headquarters.  And Rubix seemed to have a similar response.  He quickly wrote down an address, that she assumed to be to their HQ.  As he was presented with it, she would watch on before nuzzling gently against his calf to show her approval and pleasure in his change of heart.  She couldn't be seen as all mean could she?  This opposite side to the ferret seemed to help along to calming the young man as Rubix began passing out pies he purchased.  Her heart leapt as she was made aware that he was picking up a pumpkin one!  A perfect end to this day!

The pair soon headed home with their treasures and Ellie was given the pumpkin one.  Her heart swelled as she was invited to partake, and she tucked into it without so much as a second thought.  Oh it tasted even better than it smelled!  If that was possible. Her whole attention was upon the beautiful treat she now enjoyed.  Oh yes, if she could have more pie for being a good girl and helping others to understand what that meant, she'd do it daily!  

She glanced over, noticing that Rubix was scratching out several letters quite quickly and intently.  Curiosity coursed through her and she finally could hold it no more.  But just then he beckoned her over.  He didn't have to request twice.  She leapt to her paws and ran...  Well more waddled, over to where he sat and would quietly read his letter.  She was getting better at this.  But even so it took her two, even three times of reading it over to fully grasp the gravity of what Rubix was thinking.  It was clear he had already put some thought into it, down to where she would set up an operation...  Ellie's heart hammered hard in her chest, did her Rubix really want her to do what she thought he was suggesting?  Did he really want her to go and to do this?  Was she ready?  Could she go it herself?  Do what Rubix did and offer a home to those who had none?  To teach them the ways that she herself tried so hard to learn?  Rubix sure seemed certain.  It didn't seem like it was a joke...  He seemed absolutely serious...  Seriously?  The little ferret read it one more time before lifting her gaze to meet that of  the canine before her who had already taught her so much, who she had vowed to stand beside as long as he wanted her to.  The one she would never even dream of going against, who had her loyalty to the very end of the days.  She would finally give a single nod before crawling up to curl herself over his shoulders and snuggle in close.  She wasn't one hundred percent sure about this new adventure, but for Rubix?  She would try anything...

And besides...  She had a new headquarters to explore.  Hoorah!

By Ellie's reaction Rubix knew she was onboard with the idea. He knew she was just going to love the tubes and the rest of the building as well. His tail was wagging with excitement, eager to witness her reactions to the building. The return of a few of the Pawprint Postal dogs signified that the HQ was ready and the letters had gone out to all the important people notifying them of the opening of the new headquarters. Rubix decided to walk her there to see her reaction firsthand and watch her explore it for the first time. 

He trotted out the front door and enjoyed the walk, noting each of the smells on the way. The guard dog at the front entrance stood at attention and allowed Rubix and Ellie permission to enter. Ellie's eyes lit up as she saw the building, she scurried to the ground and ran up to her new building with glee. Rubix sat outside, his tail wagging as she explored the building room by room.