Mistletoe had been looking forward to this day for ages. Riina had toyed with the idea and she had been begging ever since the day came that they could afford it. The luxury that they were about to obtain was becoming more popular with the wealthier class. She knew that this was going to be a massive gift and the family would get to enjoy it too. Once Riina had approved her to take the money and head out to make the decision, there was no holding Mistletoe back. She tried not to let her excitement get the best of her, but as she was making her way there she had a little skip in her step.

She had to go by car and the driver made his way to the home address she had given him. Mistletoe twiddled her thumbs as she shook her foot eagerly in the backseat. Staring out of the window she tried to contain anticipation, the drive to the home felt like it took twice as long. The driver did his best to make small talk with her, but she was never a fan of small talk. He could sense her excitement and jitteriness. His attempts at small talk were to help distract her even though he knew her distaste for it. 

The home came into view and the driver slowed down before parking right in front. Mistletoe thanked him and informed him it may be a moment before she returned. He nodded and she turned back to the house before her, a massive grin upon her face. The front door opened and a man walked out. He smiled back and welcomed her as she walked up the stairs to his front door. She shook his hand respectfully and he kissed the tips of her knuckles in greeting.

"I am glad you had no issues making it here," he said as they walked inside the home. The noise in the house was quite loud, but it only added to Mistletoe's excitement. "There will be a few options to choose from. Do you have any preferences?"

Mistletoe looked around and held her arms up at her chest, the joy grew in her chest and her smile grew with it.

"A male please," She said and looked around at all the adorable German Shepherd puppies. German Shepherds were the most popular dog currently, but that wasn't why they chose one. For Riina, he preferred them, even if they were the popular pick because of "Rin Tin Tin" who was in many current films. The man nodded and brought forth two of the puppies from his current litter. One had a darker look to him with just a hint of brown, while the other looked just like chocolate. Both began to lick her face as she kneeled before them. She already knew which one she wanted, but his personality was what sold her.

Mistletoe picked up the darker German Shepherd, his black coat mesmerized her. She was always one who loved something more unique and he was just that. Looking over to the gentleman she pulled out the cash Riina had supplied her. He was one of the best breeders around town and the cost for one of his puppies was far from cheap. Handing the cash to him she smiled and said, "This is the one!"

He took the cash and provided her with the documents for the puppy. She thanked him and happily carried the dog to the car that was still patiently waiting for her. The driver looked surprised when she sat the puppy down on the other side of the backseat, then sat herself next to him. She gave him a few pets and then smiled happily at the driver. He chuckled before starting the engine to make their way back home to the family headquarters.

"Now to the matter of what to name you!" She exclaimed as they drove off, the puppy looked at her before tilting his head confused. Mistletoe laughed and looked forward to showing him off to Riina and the whole family once they arrived.

Route was out on his afternoon walk enjoying the beautiful warm spring day. Every day, rain or shine, he would go for a walk, never traveling the same route twice. It was a great way to process thoughts, plan the day and get to know the local community. Dragging his finger along the fences that lined the sidewalks, he looked at the architectural marvel of each house. He paused in front of one particular house that grabbed his eye.

”Excuse me sir,” a local mailman interjected, dropping a paper off at Routes feet, “good day sir.”

Just as he was looking down at the paper a dog started barking from the window of the house he was just admiring. That’s when a light bulb went off in his head. Today was the day Mistletoe was getting a new puppy! He knew he had to get a gift for it before returning to the HQ. Continuing his walk, he eventually crossed a news stand on the corner just outside the business district with a large selection of papers, magazines, tobacco among other sundries.

In front of the clerk there were two different papers side by side, The Duck's Bill and The Hunter's Digest. Looking at the two papers, a few things were immediately clear. The Ducks Bill had significantly more copies available, and was printed on clearly inferior paper. The Hunter’s Digest appeared to focus more on facts and significant stories as compared to the sensationalist and made up lies in The Ducks Bill.

”Can I help you, my good man?” The clerk shouted. Looking back down at the two papers the clerk interjected, “The Hunters Digest is what you want if your a man of class and integrity,” he paused “The Duck’s Bill, well the Duck’s Bill is what you want when your dog pisses in the house, or you have an oil spill in the garage!” He bellowed with laughter, pointing to the large stack of unsold Duck’s Bill papers, “I tell you what, take them, free on the house no charge, I can’t give these things away!”

Route grabbed a few of the free Ducks Bill papers knowing they might come in handy for Mistletoe's new puppy. He reached for some change from his coat pocket and placed it on the counter for a copy of The Hunter’s Digest to read once he got back to HQ bar.

Katerina was in the back of her bar, mixing a fresh batch of Checkmate's when she heard a loud commotion. Mistletoe walks in with a large grin on her face, and a tiny ball of black fur wriggling in her arms. Katerina immediately stopped tending to her mixing and ran over to Mistletoe. 

"Katerina, look what I got!" Mistletoe exclaimed in excitement, holding the puppy up to see.

"He's adorable", Katerina said as she rushed over to get a closer look of the puppy. His fur was soft and his licks were heavy with his tiny pink tongue. "Is this our new crew's mascot?"

Mistletoe nodded in agreement. "You did great Mistletoe. Riina is going to love him".

As Katerina continues to pet the new puppy, she had a dying question to ask... "Now the important question is... what are we going to name him?"

A Don from The Morningwood Elite, Mistletoe, bringin' home a fancy German Shepherd... that's somethin' else. Those are sharp-lookin' animals, the kind you see in the pictures. Must cost a pretty penny. Hope that pup knows who the boss is around the headquarters. Wouldn't want any accidents with the, uh... important folks. Still, a good dog's a good dog, keeps things lively, I suppose. Maybe it'll scare off any rats tryin' to nibble on the merchandise.

A sharp looking dog indeed!

Riina strooed into the room and picked up the puppy. His tail was wagging at an impressive speed. The dogs looked at everyone intelligently, surveying the family as they gathered to welcome to puppy into the family.

I've always been fan of having pets. I believe that having a pet in a family brings a common sense of comradery. The new puppy will bring us even closer as we start our new family here in Chicago. It's cold out here so we'll have to be sure to get the puppy a coat and boots once the weather turns.

Riina pulled a small sheet of paper from his pocket and opened it. The family had taken a poll on what to name the new puppy and the results were in.

Okay guys. The poll was done a little while ago and the results are in. Our new canine friend's name is Redwood!