CHAPTER 14

THE SANCTUARY

Location: The Sanctuary, Washington, DC

Date: 14JAN21

Time: 1130 hours

It’s been six months since Mr. Mocoso’s mansion burned down.

Don’t worry. I saved him and Hans and Heinz.

I know what you’re thinking: Why would you save Mr. Mocoso and his two nasty pinschers???

Because that’s what being a Pawtriot is all about: saving others from harm. It’s about honor and integrity and doing what’s right. And even if they are the bad guys, once the enemy surrenders, they must be treated with dignity and respect.

Penny got the will to Ms. Becca and, just like that, everything went back to normal—minus the visits from Mr. Mocoso! And we were happy to learn that Ms. Becca was able to save the puppies from the pound, too.

Ms. Becca was so impressed by what the Pawtriots were able to do for her that she wrote to the local paper. Then a journalist came by the Sanctuary and wrote an article for the paper. The national news picked up the story and soon the Pawtriots were a household name. A couple of days ago, we even started getting fan mail.

Funny thing is, all these animals are writing to me, asking if they can come to Washington, DC, to join the Pawtriots, but some of them are worried they are too small, or too young, or too weak.

I write them all back and tell them my story, just the way I told it to you. I tell them all about Kris, the villagers, the explosion, even me losing my leg. I tell them about how I ended up here at the Sanctuary, and then at the pound. I tell them about Sergeant First Class Chaps and the Beast he wrestled. And I tell them about the wheel he gave me so we could save the Sanctuary. And lastly, I tell them that it doesn’t matter if you’re small, young, weak, or even missing a leg—it’s what’s on the inside that counts. You have to have heart! That’s what makes a true Pawtriot.

And I always sign my letters the same way:

Welcome aboard, recruit!

—Sergeant “Rico” Ricochet