"Rooster!" Max barked happily, his tail wagging. He bounded over to the Welsh sheepdog while Chuck went to set his belongings in a spot of the apartment. The big dog looked down at the terrier. "Been awhile since we've seen each other," he remarked, a serious look on his face. A small smile crept over it as he added, "How you been?"

"Pretty good. I remembered everything you taught me," Max replied. Coming over behind his brother, Duke sat down and asked, "What are you doing here? I thought you lived on the farm with Uncle Shep." Flicking his right ear, the expression on Rooster's face didn't change one bit as he answered solemnly, "Shep got into an accident." He gazed off into the distance dramatically while Max and Duke looked at each other in dead silence. Coughing, Max mumbled, "I'm so sorry."

"Oh relax, he's fine. Broke an arm and a leg after he fell out of a tree. Going to be staying in the hospital for awhile," Rooster replied. Rolling his eyes, he muttered, "Next time he should maybe use a ladder instead of using the branches. I never trusted that ancient apple tree. I knew something like this would happen."

"You're a fortune teller?" Duke whispered, his eyes growing wide. Max and Rooster looked at him like he had somehow grew another head.

"We'll be back soon boys, just got to go shopping for more dog food!" Katie called as she and Chuck left for the second time that day. All three dogs watched them leave. Raising one eyebrow, Rooster was about to open his mouth and say something when he froze still. Looking down, he found Liam hugging his leg. The little boy giggled happily as he cried, "Chicken!" Standing up with Liam still clinging to his leg. Rooster grumbled, "Was that a challenge?"

"Oh no no no, not a challenge. Liam's just learning some new words is all," Max came to Liam's rescue. Meeting the little boy's eyes, he stated, "Liam, say Rooster."

"Chicken!" Liam cried. Letting go off Rooster's leg, he headed off to the kitchen. Looking down at Max, Rooster murmured, "Has he even learned that word yet?" Duke went over to keep an eye on Liam while Max shook his head no. Sighing, he was going to show Rooster around the place when he heard a voice call out to him.

"Hey Max!"