Just Ryan

By Lindalee

Angel has a habit of meeting everyone. She is one social little doggie. And then, the day came when the empty house next door became a home for a soon-to-be best friend. His name was Ryan. Communication was a “woof, woof” over the neighboring fence to a soft voice asking to see “Angel”. Dad came up with an idea and cut a hole in the fence so they could talk easier. From that day on, Angel and Ryan would communicate regularly and more than often see each other after that. Soon Tracey discovered that Ryan had a learning challenge. Tracey picked up on it right away. Fortunately, Tracey and her best friends other than Angel, Nancy Ann, and Sarah had already formed the ‘Girls Club’. Those three girls and Angel were always getting into something. Adventure was their middle name, but being the best students, the girls were always looking for new tasks. Then, along came Ryan. He needed a community of friends...especially ones, who would support him on so many levels. And then there was Angel. A little dog, a neighbor, a best buddy who would do anything for his new friend. She was up for any chore that was given to her. Angel was open to making people happy. She loved her friends and now Ryan was her newest friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Apr 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9781977237385

Lindalee

Long-time teacher and principal Dr. Lindalee Ausejo has always believed that storytelling is one of the best educational methods for teaching. Her stories encourage the young to listen while reinforcing everyday common sense, responsibility, and respect for others. Lindalee lives in El Cerrito, in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she has provided compassion and caring along with respect to inner-city students.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

I PEEKED OVER the armrest of the little Victorian love seat by the beveled glass window in our front door…a very big truck backed into the driveway of the house next door. A very big truck. My eyelids flickered open wider now. Something exciting was going on. I was sure of that.

The house had been vacant for some time waiting for someone to move in. I wondered if they would have another little dog just like me. Maybe, a bigger one. It would be nice to have another dog in the community. Especially, next door. There was room for many kinds of dogs…even though we had lots of them already. Tracey, my best friend, said we had a very diverse community; we were one of the lucky ones.

Woof! Woof! Tracey, where are you? I jumped off the love seat and ran down the stairs to our bedroom. No Tracey. I ran back upstairs into the kitchen. No Tracey. No Mother or Dad. I went out my little door through the French Doors, downstairs into the backyard.

Woof! Woof! I was so excited! They were all in the garden. I had fallen asleep on the love seat and did not know they were in our backyard. I ran over to Tracey, jumping up and down to get her attention. I ran around in circles many times over. Mom and Dad laughed. Petunia, who was our adopted chicken was curled up by Tracey. She was often following me around everywhere but she didn’t care to hang out by the front door.

What’s up, Angel? You look happy. Is someone here? Let’s go find out. Lead the way, Sweet Pea.

I ran back up the steps into the kitchen with Tracey following. Mother and Dad behind us.

Well, look at that! Someone is moving in next door, Angel, said Tracey. For the past few weeks, work had been going on inside the house. They had been making all kinds of noises like cutting wood and busting glass. Trucks and people had been coming and going. I had wondered what was happening. But Mom and Dad said they were making changes to the house before the family moved in.

Well Angel, it looks like the family will be here soon. We will find out if you have another dog friend. We will wait until we see the family before we go over there. Mother, have you heard anything yet?

No Tracey, let’s be a bit more patient.

Woof! Woof! I said, wagging my tail furiously. I was so happy thinking about another new friend.

See, even Angel agrees with me, said Mother.

Now I am normally a patient dog. Once I learned something or when I was told something, I would sit there watching my humans until they told me something else to chew on or rather think about. I would sit there for any amount of time it took for them to give me more information. My eyes never left their faces. If more than five minutes, I would lie down with my head on the floor and not move.

My family understood that I was curious. I was analytical. I wanted to know everything about everyone.

Right now, I was thinking about how much I loved where we lived. Our community was full of dogs of every color, age, size, and kind. We all got along. Sometimes, when Tracey and I went for our early morning walks, we would meet as many as nine dogs at one intersection. We all checked each other out, gave each other a sniff, and went on our way with our humans. No matter how much we liked and respected each other, we were still closer to our humans. I couldn’t live without Tracey. She was my heart. And I was her heart. We would do anything for each other.

But today the humans were bringing furniture into the big house next door. It was fun watching from our front door window. I rested my head again on the arm of the Victorian Love Seat and simply stared. Now, I must admit that I may have dozed off several times because it seemed like it took a long time. I didn’t even leave the Love Seat to have a bite to eat at lunchtime.

Angel, you need to come away from the door now. You have been watching long enough. Let’s go for a walk and we can stroll by their house. I jumped off the Love Seat and stood up on my hind legs allowing Tracey to put my vest on and attach my leash to it. I was excited and started pulling Tracey out the door. Petunia followed with her vest and leash on.

We walked over to the big truck and I peeked inside. Not much left to carry into the house. I still did not see a family. Disappointed, we walked down the street, staying on the sidewalk. I stopped periodically and looked back at that truck. It was still there.

It’s okay Angel. They will come soon. Remember, I am always telling you to be patient. Being patient is a virtue and you know I always want you to be at your best.

And with that, we continued our walk around the block where I stopped many times to smell this and smell that. Talking about being patient…Tracey really is. She knew how important my smelling was to me.

But now I couldn’t wait to get back to our home. I wanted to see if our new neighbors had moved in as yet.

The truck had gone. There was no one around. No people. No dog. I sat down and looked at the empty house. No sounds. It was a bit sad. I did not like to see an empty house. There was no life. Petunia sat next to me.

Come on Sweetheart. We will see someone soon but on another day. Let’s call Nancy Ann and Sarah to see about going down to our clubhouse today.

Our clubhouse was exclusive to the ‘Girls Club’ which included Tracey’s best friends Nancy Ann, Sarah, and of course, me.

I would have to wait for the day our new neighbors moved in. Maybe, I could help them. I often helped my Parents and Tracey around the house and the yard.

And with that in the back of my thoughts, I anxiously waited for Sarah and Nancy Ann to come over so we could go down to the clubhouse. I wanted Tracey to share the news of our new neighbors, even though we hadn’t seen them as yet.

CHAPTER 2

FOR THE NEXT two days, I waited by the front door looking through the beveled glass window. I rarely left that spot. Tracey allowed me to be the watchdog. I think my family was also curious. So now, it was my responsibility to let them know when our new neighbors arrived.

Then it happened! A blue car pulled into their driveway. One car even though it was a two-car garage. A woman got out of the car. And a young boy.

I stretched my neck looking for a dog. Any kind of a dog. There was no dog. There was no cat. Not even a birdcage. I was so disappointed. But maybe, more of the family would come later.

I jumped off the loveseat and found Tracey downstairs studying in our bedroom. She was working on school work. Petunia was next to her laying in one of my beds.

Hey, Angel, what’s up? Is something happening next door?

Woof! Woof! Hurry up, Tracey! Woof! Woof! I ran around the room in circles and started back up the stairs. Tracey followed.

Angel, I don’t see anyone. Just that blue car. Are you sure it belongs to the family? Maybe, it belongs to the realtor?

Woof! Woof! Woof! No! No! No! It belongs to the family!

Okay, you’re right! Let’s give them a day and we will go over there tomorrow to visit them. Maybe, Mother will make some cookies and we can take the cookies to them as a welcoming gift.

Woof! Woof! That’s good! I then ran out to the kitchen to find Mother.

Well Angel, you are excited! Did our new neighbors move in? What can I do for you? asked Mother.

Tracey came into the kitchen. I think she is asking you to make some cookies for us to take over there tomorrow. Maybe, some of our favorite oatmeal-raisin cookies?

Well, that is a very good idea, responded Mother. I will make them after lunch. Will that be good for you, Angel?

Woof! Woof! And with that, I ran back to the front door window to watch and see if a second car would be coming. But nothing changed. And the house seemed very quiet.

I was so excited! Mother handed Tracey the plate of cookies. We walked out of the front door on our way to meet our new neighbors.

I sat right next to Tracey. Petunia was sitting next to me. The doorbell had a deep sound to it and then a woman’s voice asked who was there. Her voice seemed to come out of the bell. It was so strange. But I sat there with my best manners on. As did Petunia.

The door opened slowly and a woman peeked out; she then opened it a bit more. I could see the young boy standing just behind her legs.

Hello, I am Tracey. And this is Angel. And Petunia. We live next door. We wanted to welcome you to our neighborhood. Mother made these cookies for you.

Thank you, Tracey. My name is Mrs. Chan and this is Ryan. She looked down at me and then backed away. Ryan did the same.

Oh, Angel will not hurt you, or anyone. She has the best manners, said Tracey. And Petunia comes with us frequently.

Arf! Arf! I said because I agreed with Tracey. I wanted both Mrs. Chan and Ryan to know that I was a very good girl all the time. And Petunia never hurt anyone except maybe bugs when she found them.

Oh, these cookies are very thoughtful of your Mother. Tracey, please thank her for me. We would love to meet her soon. It will take us several days to get settled.

Mother and Dad would also like to invite you over to our home for lunch this coming week. We will have it in our backyard. Just let us know when it would be good for you, said Tracey.

Tracey, let me give you my cell number, and then you can call us. Will Angel be joining us also? she asked hesitantly.

Oh yes, of course. Angel is part of our family. She goes everywhere with me.

Everywhere? responded Mrs. Chan.

Yes, Angel is specially trained so she can go everywhere with us. I would never leave her at home alone.

Okay. Please call me then said Mrs chan as she went for a piece of paper and a pen. Ryan still stood quietly.

Good, Angel. I think that went well. Don’t you think?

And with that comment, I said, Arf! Arf! But I was a bit perplexed at Mrs. Chan and Ryan seemingly nervous about my being there. I know I hadn’t done anything wrong. I was quiet. I sat next to Tracey the entire time. I couldn’t have been better behaved.

How did that go, you two? asked Mother as we came into the kitchen.

I am not sure, Mother. They seemed nice, but I think they were concerned about Angel.

What did Angel do? asked Mother.

She didn’t do anything. She was a very good girl. I am not sure what was happening, said Tracey. But I did invite them over for lunch this next week. Mrs. Chan gave me her number so we can call them.

Well, they are new to the neighborhood and when we meet for lunch, we can learn more about each other. It is always good to meet and have new people in our lives. Mother smiled and then called Dad in for lunch.

I have found in my short time in this world life can be full of changes. Good ones for sure with a few bumps along the way. But as Mother says, bumps can always be ironed out given time. And we learn from those bumps. And patience. There was that word again, patience.

CHAPTER 3

EVERY DAY I watched from the front door window. I didn’t see many things going on. Everything seemed very quiet. One day a truck pulled up and two men got out with all kinds of tools. They began to work on the yard cutting the grass and trimming the bushes, and several trees. The house started to come alive. Mrs. Chan and her son Ryan came out of their home….and came back later with lots of plants and I think groceries. I couldn’t see into the bags but they looked like the bags Mother and Dad came home with when they went to the store.

I couldn’t wait for Mrs. Chan and Ryan to come over to our home for lunch. I couldn’t wait to go over there and check out their home. They had no doggie. I wondered why. Everyone should have a doggie and if not, a cat. Cats were always good, but doggies were better. They are easier for me to play with. And I do so love to play.

Maybe, I could talk them into getting a dog for me to play with. After all, we are right next door. Our homes share the same fence. And maybe, we can go on walks together. I could share some of my balls with the new dog…but not the red ones, my favorite. Maybe, I am getting ahead of myself. Mother is right. I need to be patient.

Next week couldn’t come any time too soon. I was sooo excited. Mrs. Chan and Ryan were at the front door. Mrs. Chan had two pink boxes in her arms. Each one was tied with a string. I couldn’t wait to see what they brought me. Or maybe, it wasn’t for me. Hummmm. I will find out.

Tracey did not have to go to school. She had the day off so we all had lunch outside on a Tuesday. As Mrs. Chan and Ryan came into our home, I was so excited I jumped up and down on my hind legs. I often did this when I was so happy. And sometimes, I just did a ‘happy’ dance going round and round while standing.

Arf! Arf! Come inside and join us. Ryan did not seem very happy. In fact, he held his ears with the palms of his hands. I wasn’t talking loudly. But it seemed I might be too loud for him. Ryan stepped back. I stepped back….and sat down. I looked puzzled. Mother looked puzzled. Tracey who was next to me looked puzzled.

Mrs. Chan please come this way. We are having lunch in the backyard. I hope you like Deviled Eggs and Crab Louie Salad. Ryan, I made an Angel Food Cake for you. Do you like Angel Food Cake?

I…I don’t know, said Ryan.

We have never had that kind of cake, said his Mother.

Come, Ryan…come this way, said Tracey.

I trailed behind Ryan. He kept turning around and looking back at me. It made me a bit nervous. I didn’t want to get too close. He might have stepped on me. Petunia trailed behind me.

"Oh, what do we have here? asked Mother. Mrs. Chan handed her the two pink boxes. Mother opened them and I got to peek inside. Wow! Everything looked so good.

These are Pork Buns and those are Pot Stickers, said Mrs. Chan. I thought you might like to add them to our lunch. Do you have Soy Sauce? If not, I can go home and get some.

Yes, we have Soy Sauce. Thank you so very much. How fun, said Mother. And with that, we all walked through the kitchen and descended the stairs to the backyard. I trailed behind everyone just to make sure Ryan didn’t step back on me. I still wasn’t sure if Ryan liked me. I just couldn’t imagine anyone not liking me.

I can say that I was disappointed that there was no dog for me to play with. But I had Tracey and hopefully, Ryan would soon want to play with me.

I woke