The Stray Dogs Were Aware Something Was Wrong

 The next morning after breakfast Mrs. Herrington had the two sisters practice their embroidery stitches on tiny handkerchiefs. The underside of the material had to look as good as the top. The stitches had to be  exactly the same size or the governess would make the girls take out the stitch or stitches and do them over. Whitlee hated this class, but her sister made a slight shake of her head and Whitlee said nothing for fear of losing the privilege of going outside. After sewing class was over they practiced their posture. It was done by walking with books on their head and walking straight across the school room several times. If a book fell off their head then they were told to put two books on their head and make even  more trips until they had perfect posture.

It seemed forever until their lunch was served. They avoided each other's eyes because they might smile or do something that would give the governess an excuse to not let the girls outside for their walk. They were given instructions on serving each other tea. They were careful not to spill a drop or that too might dissuade the governess from taking them outside. Much to their surprise the governess said, "Alright girls, get your parasols and gloves. We will soon be leaving for our walk. Don't dally or you won't be served your afternoon tea."

Sashia heard the door to the garden shut and went to the window to see what was happening. She couldn't believe her eyes. The governess was taking the princesses outside! She was going to share the news with the old sleepy head, Zeke.

A newbie to the Royal Canine quarters was Lola. She along with a few other dogs were part of the King's newest idea of rescuing dogs  that were strays. He had hired someone to see if they could be trained like the thoroughbreds were. She liked her new home; it was comfortable and warm. They gave her as much food as she could eat. Best of all she had her very own toy. She called it Froggie! This day she was watching some people out of her window. There were two young girls and a mean looking older woman. "Hmm, I wonder where they are going. I have never seen such fancy people before. I think I'm going to go tell the others to look out their window. Maybe they know them. Come on, Froggie, let's go over and visit with the other dogs next door."

"

"Hi, I'm Sashia and this is Lola. We are new here too. We thought maybe you should know that there is a mean looking human out in the garden with two happy little girls. We were wondering if we should do something; maybe bark a little to warn them?"

 "The oldest of the dogs said, "Yes, I see them too. Barking is against the rules. If we do that we go back out on the streets and the King's newest project of saving strays will fail. I'm not going to do that, but I have an idea. Come with me."

The two dogs trotted behind the older dog whose name was similar to Sashia's. Her name had a "T" in it that sounded like Stashia. "Such an interesting place this is, she thought." There lay the biggest dog that Lola had ever seen. He was white too, but he was enormous. She soon found out that when he is napping you shouldn't bother him. He was kind of grouchy, but the worst thing about him was that he took a liking to her Froggy toy. "Mine, he said. I like this frog. He's been chewed on a lot. That makes it just right for me."

Lola started to object when Willow, her new friend made a low noise in her throat warning her to not make a fuss. "He's testing you to see if you realize that he wants to be your friend. Sharing is one of the new rules we have to keep here in the Canine Quarters," she whispered.

Lola didn't know if she liked that rule one little bit. She had never had a toy before and she loved it. She did not want to share. Willow kept staring at her and blinked her kind eyes. Lola finally told the big white dog that he could have it to chew on sometimes if he would share with her too.

The big white dog licked on the frog and nudged it back over to her. "It's yours. I'm so big if I chewed on it it would be gone. I know all about you little Lola. You've had a hard life. We all did. There is something that we can do about this situation without making a fuss. We need to get our heads together to think of a way to get rid of that woman they call a governess. I don't trust her. I have a feeling that she is going to do harm to the young princesses. How about if we have a watch party. We will take turns keeping an eye on her especially when she is with those young ladies. We will call ourselves the Watch Dogs!"