Tess In The City
The 3rd 0f 7
Tess Adventures
by paulie
With the sad death of Jack the inspiration behind my Hero Tess's Loyal companion and soul mate, I've republished this, maybe I'll finish the illustrations. It's the first story with Jack in, but he's in everyone after. I've put a link to the 6th one and will add The latest - 'Tess and The Wild Cats' later - paulie (sorry about any spelling or punctuation I can't do any of that...)
PS/The previous story to this is Tess And The Fox Hunt -
PS/The previous story to this is Tess And The Fox Hunt -
It was two weeks into Billy’s summer holiday when Tess noticed all the excitement. She recognised it as the time when the family started packing for their holidays. Billy’s mum was a busy ironing clothes and his dad was climbing up to the top of the wardrobe to retrieve dusty suitcases.
Sometimes Tess was allowed to go with them and she loved to play in the sea with Billy, the seawater made her coat so clean and fluffed it all up.
Tess was playing with Billy in the garden when she found out that she would not be going.
“You’ve got to stay with aunty Marg Tess we’re going on an aeroplane and they won’t let me take you.” Said Billy. “It’s only for two weeks,” he added as he bent down to give her a cuddle.
Tess had stayed with aunty Marg before; she had made a good friend in the city where aunty Marg lived, so although she was disappointed she wouldn’t be going to the sea, she was exited that she would be able to see her friend again.
The evening before the family were going away Tess saw Billy’s dad put her basket and bowl into the back of the car, and she got ready for the goodbyes.
Billy was sad to be leaving her.
“Why can’t she come dad? She can sit on my knee on the aeroplane.”
“Oh, Billy you know we can’t take her, it’s only for two weeks and she’ll get lots of fuss at your aunty Marg’s.”
Billy went over to Tess and gave her the biggest cuddle she had had all year.
“Goodbye Tess, see you in two weeks.”
“Come on Tess.”
Billy’s dad shouted her and she trotted out of the front door and sat in the front seat.
“Get in the back Tess” said Billy’s dad.
Tess knew she had to ride in the back but she was always a little bit cheeky. Billy came running out after them shouting goodbye and then they were on their way.
Tess did not mind the car journey; Billy’s dad had wound down the window in the back and Tess put her head right out of it. She tried to catch every different smell as they travelled but there were far too many.
Soon the countryside disappeared and gave way to the suburbs of the city. Tess remembered the first time she had taken this journey and how frightened she had been. She was only a year old on that first trip and she was not prepared for the noise and commotion that goes hand in hand with the city.
This time of course it was different, Tess was aware that people lived life at a greater speed in the city, she was also aware of the stray animals that had to live on their own and the dangers of the speeding cars that screeched along the roads causing danger for animals and humans alike.
Before long, the car pulled up outside a long row of houses Tess recognised as the home of aunty Marg.
Billy’s dad reached over and fastened a lead onto Tess’s collar and soon she was waiting outside the door in anticipation of a big cuddle. As the door, opened Tess’s wag went into high speed.
“Hello you little fluffy pup” said aunty Marg as she picked Tess up nearly squeezing all the life out of her.
“I can’t stay Marg” said Billy’s dad, “but I’ve got her basket and bowl and plenty of food.”
Tess knew that aunty Marg gave her lots of chicken when she stayed and she smiled to herself thinking about all those unopened tins of dog meat.
By now, the time was late and Tess was tired due to all the excitement and the long journey.
Billy’s father said goodbye to her, he tried not to show it but he was a little bit sad to be leaving her.
“I’ll put your bed in this corner” said aunty Marg as she waved goodbye to Billy’s dad through the window.
“I’ve got some chicken left over from Sunday dinner you can have, it’s better than that tinned stuff.”
Tess smiled to herself and went to bed with a tummy full of chicken, she was even more tired now after wagging her tale hard after each mouthful of the tasty supper.
Aunty Marg was awake early in the morning; Tess remembered that she worked during the day. She refilled Tess’s water bowl with fresh water, put some more chicken in the food bowl and then carried them outside into the garden. Tess trotted behind her; this is fine she thought, until she saw the long length of washing line that Aunty Marg was attaching to her collar!
“Tess you have to stay in the garden again until I get home and I’ll have to put you on this line because you got out last time and worried us all to bits. Be a good girl and I’ll see you after I finish work.”
With that, she disappeared into the kitchen and out of the front door.
Tess tried a few whimpers but she knew it was too late for that. She was trapped in the garden and she would not be able to see Jack the boat dog. She began to feel sad, very sad.
Tess lay down on the grass with her paws stretched out in front of her; she then put her head on top of her paws and started to think. The washing line looked too thick to chew through, but somehow, she had to get out of the garden.
Standing up Tess tested the length of the washing line. She could reach the hedge and she saw the gap that she squeezed through before. She was right at the end of the length of line and turned around to face it, by now Tess was getting angry at the line and she struggled against it by pulling backwards. As she did so, Tess felt her collar ride up her neck. Maybe, just maybe she could slip her collar.
She pulled and pulled until she felt the collar tight against her ears. If only she could tuck her ears in, then the collar would slide off.
Tess wasn’t about to give up and after the fourth attempt when Tess thought her ears would be pulled right off, the collar slid over her head and she was free.
Tess stayed in the garden for a while. She thought about aunty Marg.
“I’ll have to be back before Aunty Marg gets home,’ she said to herself.
“I don’t want her to worry this time.”
Soon after, Tess was heading for the hedge, and after pushing her nose through she was on her way.
It was ten minutes later when Tess found herself by the canal that ran through the middle of the city. She followed it down past the loud barking Alsatian that she always said hello to and then found herself at the boat where Jack lived.
Sometimes Tess was allowed to go with them and she loved to play in the sea with Billy, the seawater made her coat so clean and fluffed it all up.
Tess was playing with Billy in the garden when she found out that she would not be going.
“You’ve got to stay with aunty Marg Tess we’re going on an aeroplane and they won’t let me take you.” Said Billy. “It’s only for two weeks,” he added as he bent down to give her a cuddle.
Tess had stayed with aunty Marg before; she had made a good friend in the city where aunty Marg lived, so although she was disappointed she wouldn’t be going to the sea, she was exited that she would be able to see her friend again.
The evening before the family were going away Tess saw Billy’s dad put her basket and bowl into the back of the car, and she got ready for the goodbyes.
Billy was sad to be leaving her.
“Why can’t she come dad? She can sit on my knee on the aeroplane.”
“Oh, Billy you know we can’t take her, it’s only for two weeks and she’ll get lots of fuss at your aunty Marg’s.”
Billy went over to Tess and gave her the biggest cuddle she had had all year.
“Goodbye Tess, see you in two weeks.”
“Come on Tess.”
Billy’s dad shouted her and she trotted out of the front door and sat in the front seat.
“Get in the back Tess” said Billy’s dad.
Tess knew she had to ride in the back but she was always a little bit cheeky. Billy came running out after them shouting goodbye and then they were on their way.
Tess did not mind the car journey; Billy’s dad had wound down the window in the back and Tess put her head right out of it. She tried to catch every different smell as they travelled but there were far too many.
Soon the countryside disappeared and gave way to the suburbs of the city. Tess remembered the first time she had taken this journey and how frightened she had been. She was only a year old on that first trip and she was not prepared for the noise and commotion that goes hand in hand with the city.
This time of course it was different, Tess was aware that people lived life at a greater speed in the city, she was also aware of the stray animals that had to live on their own and the dangers of the speeding cars that screeched along the roads causing danger for animals and humans alike.
Before long, the car pulled up outside a long row of houses Tess recognised as the home of aunty Marg.
Billy’s dad reached over and fastened a lead onto Tess’s collar and soon she was waiting outside the door in anticipation of a big cuddle. As the door, opened Tess’s wag went into high speed.
“Hello you little fluffy pup” said aunty Marg as she picked Tess up nearly squeezing all the life out of her.
“I can’t stay Marg” said Billy’s dad, “but I’ve got her basket and bowl and plenty of food.”
Tess knew that aunty Marg gave her lots of chicken when she stayed and she smiled to herself thinking about all those unopened tins of dog meat.
By now, the time was late and Tess was tired due to all the excitement and the long journey.
Billy’s father said goodbye to her, he tried not to show it but he was a little bit sad to be leaving her.
“I’ll put your bed in this corner” said aunty Marg as she waved goodbye to Billy’s dad through the window.
“I’ve got some chicken left over from Sunday dinner you can have, it’s better than that tinned stuff.”
Tess smiled to herself and went to bed with a tummy full of chicken, she was even more tired now after wagging her tale hard after each mouthful of the tasty supper.
Aunty Marg was awake early in the morning; Tess remembered that she worked during the day. She refilled Tess’s water bowl with fresh water, put some more chicken in the food bowl and then carried them outside into the garden. Tess trotted behind her; this is fine she thought, until she saw the long length of washing line that Aunty Marg was attaching to her collar!
“Tess you have to stay in the garden again until I get home and I’ll have to put you on this line because you got out last time and worried us all to bits. Be a good girl and I’ll see you after I finish work.”
With that, she disappeared into the kitchen and out of the front door.
Tess tried a few whimpers but she knew it was too late for that. She was trapped in the garden and she would not be able to see Jack the boat dog. She began to feel sad, very sad.
Tess lay down on the grass with her paws stretched out in front of her; she then put her head on top of her paws and started to think. The washing line looked too thick to chew through, but somehow, she had to get out of the garden.
Standing up Tess tested the length of the washing line. She could reach the hedge and she saw the gap that she squeezed through before. She was right at the end of the length of line and turned around to face it, by now Tess was getting angry at the line and she struggled against it by pulling backwards. As she did so, Tess felt her collar ride up her neck. Maybe, just maybe she could slip her collar.
She pulled and pulled until she felt the collar tight against her ears. If only she could tuck her ears in, then the collar would slide off.
Tess wasn’t about to give up and after the fourth attempt when Tess thought her ears would be pulled right off, the collar slid over her head and she was free.
Tess stayed in the garden for a while. She thought about aunty Marg.
“I’ll have to be back before Aunty Marg gets home,’ she said to herself.
“I don’t want her to worry this time.”
Soon after, Tess was heading for the hedge, and after pushing her nose through she was on her way.
It was ten minutes later when Tess found herself by the canal that ran through the middle of the city. She followed it down past the loud barking Alsatian that she always said hello to and then found herself at the boat where Jack lived.
Jack The Boat Dog on a day off from his adventures!
Jack saw her straight away and jumped off the boat as if he was on springs.
“Tess what are you doing here?” said Jack full of surprise.
Tess explained about the holiday and how she was staying with Aunty Marg. She also told jack about the washing line and how she had to pull against it so much she thought her ears would come off!
Jack licked her ears and told her that she still had the loveliest dog-ears in the world, and the best waggy tale, which was wagging rather fast by now. Soon they were sitting by the boat catching up on all the news.
“Is everything alright Jack?” she said, noticing that there was something on his mind.
“Well Tess, do you remember some of the dogs around the city are homeless.”
“Yes," said Tess.’
“Well they always kept well because of the scraps that were left outside of the cafes, and by people giving them tit bits.”
“I remember said Tess, they all seemed to manage well.”
“Well things have changed Tess, the foxes have moved into the city and they have their families to feed. Tess they are very clever and often get all the food before the dogs.
I was just on my way to see Barney because he’s so hungry.”
“Jack I’ll come with you, there's some food in the garden where I’m staying we can go and get that for him.”
Jack and Tess were soon loaded up with food to take to Barney and his family. They crossed the canal and walked through the park. The birds were singing and even the squirrels were racing about. Then something happened, Jack spotted them first and then Tess realised something was wrong.
As they passed the big oak tree, the first fox came into view and behind him another and another. Before they knew it, six or seven foxes cornered Tess and Jack.
“That looks like tasty food,” said the first fox.
Tess was ready; she was not going to stand down.
“This food is for our friends she said, “You can move out of our way and let us pass.”
Jack was ready as well; he was a tough little dog and was not going to lie down without a fight.
“You will give us that food or we will take it from you.” Said another fox.
“Then you’ll have to take it from us.” Said Jack stepping forward to protect Tess.
Tess’s heart was pounding, she was glad that she was with Jack but secretly Jack was glad that Tess was with him for the two of them were a great team.
There was silence for what seemed like an hour until through the skulk of foxes walked the tallest strongest looking fox that Tess and Jack had ever seen.
“I’m with you said Jack.”
“I Know said Tess, I’ve missed you so much.”
They looked into each other’s eyes and both felt incredibly close in face of the danger.
By this time, they were face to face with the large fox and Tess and Jack were ready for the worst.
The fox turned to Tess.
“What’s your name?”
“My name is Tess,” she said bravely hiding her nervousness.
“Are you from the country?” continued the fox.
“Yes” said Tess “I’m staying here for two weeks while my family is on holiday.”
The fox came closer until he got within touching distance of Tess’s nose and then bowed his head.
“Then you’re the Tess that saved my sisters life.”
A feeling of emotion started to creep up inside of Tess.
“Are you fox’s brother?” said Tess.
“Yes,” said fox. “She told me what you did for her, we all owe you a big debt of gratitude. We need to talk Tess, we need to talk.’
Tess and Jack were soon following the foxes back to their den, they paused at the entrance.
“A fox’s den is very secret,” said the leader of the foxes.
“You must promise never to reveal the where a bouts of our home.”
“We promise,” said Tess and Jack
After their promise, the two brave dogs followed the fox’s down the dark passage into the heart of the den. Tess wondered how anyone could miss it because of the smell!
“It smells like my master’s feet after he’s been walking in his wellies” whispered Jack to Tess as they sat down to discuss the recent events.
Fox wanted to know exactly what had happened to his sister and how Tess had saved her by rubbing up against her and then using her own scent to fool the hounds. The big fox had a tear in his eye when Tess had finished.
“Tell me how I can help you Tess,” said the fox “You are the bravest most caring dog I have ever known.”
“Well said Tess, we were on our way to a friend or ours named Barnie. Barnie has a family and he is a stray dog. You foxes are wild animals and you are used to fending for yourselves because you have never had any masters.
Barnies a domestic animal and he is simply not as good at fending for himself in the wild. Barnie used to rely on the scraps left outside the café’s, but since the foxes have arrived he’s not been able to get these because the foxes have got there before him.”
“Fox can’t you see that we have to help dogs like Barnie.”
The big fox got to his feet.
“Tess,” he said, “What you have said has moved me, you are right. From now on, I will tell all the fox’s that live in the city, to visit the homeless dogs and make sure that their food is not being taken. If you can give as you did to help my sister then we can give to those who need our help.”
Tess stood as well and moved towards the fox. She put her nose against him and smiled.
“I think we are friends,” said Tess just like your sister and me.
The fox was full of emotion but had to remain strong because all the other foxes were looking at him.
“I’ll stand by my word Tess, I’ll stand by my word.”
Tess and Jack said their goodbyes and took the food round to Barnies. They found him with his family living in the back of an abandoned car, he was so pleased to see them and the two watched as he shared the food out between himself and his family. They told him what had happened with the fox’s and what they had agreed to. Barnie was pleased. He liked the foxes.
“The time!” Tess shouted scaring everyone. “I’ve got to get back to the garden before Aunty Marg gets home from work.
Jack and Tess raced round to the garden and Jack said goodbye to her and promised to call and see her tomorrow.
Tess got into the garden just in time.
“How did you get off your lead Tess, oh you poor thing you’ve had all your chicken come on let’s get you some more.”
Tess was curled up in her bed early that night; the events of the day had taken their toll.
Aunty Marg made sure that she could not get out of the garden for the rest of the holiday, but Jack made sure that he visited every day, which made the time go quickly for both of them.
At the end of the holiday, the garden was full of animals saying goodbye to Tess.
“Say hello to my sister when you get back to the countryside” said the big fox.
“I will,” said Tess and you won’t forget what you said will you?”
“I won’t Tess don’t worry.”
Barnie and his family had shown up to say goodbye, and some other dogs that lived as strays, they were all sad to be saying goodbye.
Jack was the last to go.
“It’s been good to see you Tess, maybe one of these days we’ll come your way on the boat, the canals near you.”
“I’ll look forward to it Jack, I’ll look forward to it, and thanks for being my friend.”
Jack moved forward and gave Tess a big wet lick.
“Goodbye Tess, goodbye.”
It was difficult to part, Jack just had to go and make the goodbye short.
Tess was upset and went inside after Jack had gone. She knew Billy’s Dad would be coming for her soon and things would soon be back to normal. It would be hard to forget about Jack though.
After about an hour that Tess had spent sulking in her bed, she heard a car pull up outside. She raced to the window and saw Billy’s dad walking towards the front door. He was not on his own. Billy was with him; he was not going to miss the chance to see Tess as soon as possible and so had begged his dad to let him come.
Aunty Marg opened the door and everyone was soon reunited. Billy had missed Tess so much.
The goodbyes were soon said and Aunty Marg gave Tess another of her big cuddles.
“Come on everyone, said Billy’s dad. “Get into the car your mum will be wondering where we are.”
They were soon on their way driving through the city until it gave way to the countryside. Tess tried to see the boat where Jack lived, but she could not see it. She tried not to be sad, and she was sure she would see Jack soon and for now she was back with Billy and not only that but they still had all the rest of the holidays to play
“Tess what are you doing here?” said Jack full of surprise.
Tess explained about the holiday and how she was staying with Aunty Marg. She also told jack about the washing line and how she had to pull against it so much she thought her ears would come off!
Jack licked her ears and told her that she still had the loveliest dog-ears in the world, and the best waggy tale, which was wagging rather fast by now. Soon they were sitting by the boat catching up on all the news.
“Is everything alright Jack?” she said, noticing that there was something on his mind.
“Well Tess, do you remember some of the dogs around the city are homeless.”
“Yes," said Tess.’
“Well they always kept well because of the scraps that were left outside of the cafes, and by people giving them tit bits.”
“I remember said Tess, they all seemed to manage well.”
“Well things have changed Tess, the foxes have moved into the city and they have their families to feed. Tess they are very clever and often get all the food before the dogs.
I was just on my way to see Barney because he’s so hungry.”
“Jack I’ll come with you, there's some food in the garden where I’m staying we can go and get that for him.”
Jack and Tess were soon loaded up with food to take to Barney and his family. They crossed the canal and walked through the park. The birds were singing and even the squirrels were racing about. Then something happened, Jack spotted them first and then Tess realised something was wrong.
As they passed the big oak tree, the first fox came into view and behind him another and another. Before they knew it, six or seven foxes cornered Tess and Jack.
“That looks like tasty food,” said the first fox.
Tess was ready; she was not going to stand down.
“This food is for our friends she said, “You can move out of our way and let us pass.”
Jack was ready as well; he was a tough little dog and was not going to lie down without a fight.
“You will give us that food or we will take it from you.” Said another fox.
“Then you’ll have to take it from us.” Said Jack stepping forward to protect Tess.
Tess’s heart was pounding, she was glad that she was with Jack but secretly Jack was glad that Tess was with him for the two of them were a great team.
There was silence for what seemed like an hour until through the skulk of foxes walked the tallest strongest looking fox that Tess and Jack had ever seen.
“I’m with you said Jack.”
“I Know said Tess, I’ve missed you so much.”
They looked into each other’s eyes and both felt incredibly close in face of the danger.
By this time, they were face to face with the large fox and Tess and Jack were ready for the worst.
The fox turned to Tess.
“What’s your name?”
“My name is Tess,” she said bravely hiding her nervousness.
“Are you from the country?” continued the fox.
“Yes” said Tess “I’m staying here for two weeks while my family is on holiday.”
The fox came closer until he got within touching distance of Tess’s nose and then bowed his head.
“Then you’re the Tess that saved my sisters life.”
A feeling of emotion started to creep up inside of Tess.
“Are you fox’s brother?” said Tess.
“Yes,” said fox. “She told me what you did for her, we all owe you a big debt of gratitude. We need to talk Tess, we need to talk.’
Tess and Jack were soon following the foxes back to their den, they paused at the entrance.
“A fox’s den is very secret,” said the leader of the foxes.
“You must promise never to reveal the where a bouts of our home.”
“We promise,” said Tess and Jack
After their promise, the two brave dogs followed the fox’s down the dark passage into the heart of the den. Tess wondered how anyone could miss it because of the smell!
“It smells like my master’s feet after he’s been walking in his wellies” whispered Jack to Tess as they sat down to discuss the recent events.
Fox wanted to know exactly what had happened to his sister and how Tess had saved her by rubbing up against her and then using her own scent to fool the hounds. The big fox had a tear in his eye when Tess had finished.
“Tell me how I can help you Tess,” said the fox “You are the bravest most caring dog I have ever known.”
“Well said Tess, we were on our way to a friend or ours named Barnie. Barnie has a family and he is a stray dog. You foxes are wild animals and you are used to fending for yourselves because you have never had any masters.
Barnies a domestic animal and he is simply not as good at fending for himself in the wild. Barnie used to rely on the scraps left outside the café’s, but since the foxes have arrived he’s not been able to get these because the foxes have got there before him.”
“Fox can’t you see that we have to help dogs like Barnie.”
The big fox got to his feet.
“Tess,” he said, “What you have said has moved me, you are right. From now on, I will tell all the fox’s that live in the city, to visit the homeless dogs and make sure that their food is not being taken. If you can give as you did to help my sister then we can give to those who need our help.”
Tess stood as well and moved towards the fox. She put her nose against him and smiled.
“I think we are friends,” said Tess just like your sister and me.
The fox was full of emotion but had to remain strong because all the other foxes were looking at him.
“I’ll stand by my word Tess, I’ll stand by my word.”
Tess and Jack said their goodbyes and took the food round to Barnies. They found him with his family living in the back of an abandoned car, he was so pleased to see them and the two watched as he shared the food out between himself and his family. They told him what had happened with the fox’s and what they had agreed to. Barnie was pleased. He liked the foxes.
“The time!” Tess shouted scaring everyone. “I’ve got to get back to the garden before Aunty Marg gets home from work.
Jack and Tess raced round to the garden and Jack said goodbye to her and promised to call and see her tomorrow.
Tess got into the garden just in time.
“How did you get off your lead Tess, oh you poor thing you’ve had all your chicken come on let’s get you some more.”
Tess was curled up in her bed early that night; the events of the day had taken their toll.
Aunty Marg made sure that she could not get out of the garden for the rest of the holiday, but Jack made sure that he visited every day, which made the time go quickly for both of them.
At the end of the holiday, the garden was full of animals saying goodbye to Tess.
“Say hello to my sister when you get back to the countryside” said the big fox.
“I will,” said Tess and you won’t forget what you said will you?”
“I won’t Tess don’t worry.”
Barnie and his family had shown up to say goodbye, and some other dogs that lived as strays, they were all sad to be saying goodbye.
Jack was the last to go.
“It’s been good to see you Tess, maybe one of these days we’ll come your way on the boat, the canals near you.”
“I’ll look forward to it Jack, I’ll look forward to it, and thanks for being my friend.”
Jack moved forward and gave Tess a big wet lick.
“Goodbye Tess, goodbye.”
It was difficult to part, Jack just had to go and make the goodbye short.
Tess was upset and went inside after Jack had gone. She knew Billy’s Dad would be coming for her soon and things would soon be back to normal. It would be hard to forget about Jack though.
After about an hour that Tess had spent sulking in her bed, she heard a car pull up outside. She raced to the window and saw Billy’s dad walking towards the front door. He was not on his own. Billy was with him; he was not going to miss the chance to see Tess as soon as possible and so had begged his dad to let him come.
Aunty Marg opened the door and everyone was soon reunited. Billy had missed Tess so much.
The goodbyes were soon said and Aunty Marg gave Tess another of her big cuddles.
“Come on everyone, said Billy’s dad. “Get into the car your mum will be wondering where we are.”
They were soon on their way driving through the city until it gave way to the countryside. Tess tried to see the boat where Jack lived, but she could not see it. She tried not to be sad, and she was sure she would see Jack soon and for now she was back with Billy and not only that but they still had all the rest of the holidays to play
The End
Need to write The Dude In
Pic Link - Tess and The Tired Lion - With Jack by her side of course!