“Perhaps we can have some smuggling adventures too,…” hinted Oona.
“No way!” Reacted Mogwai quickly as she saw the twinkle in Oona’s eyes, “We will not try and steal food from the neighbours trash can again!”

Lizzie was giggling. Only now and then she heard snippets of stories from Oona’s wild puppy time, and she loved it all, despite Mogwai’s disapproval. They could all laugh about Oona’s silly adventures, but the older dogs wouldn’t encourage Lizzie in any way to go out and take risks. On the contrary, they always tried to protect her from anything. She wasn’t even allowed to steal some shoes!

Mogwai spotted Lizzie’s curiosity for adventure and considered that perhaps it was time for Lizzie to master some hound skills. After all, she wasn’t really a puppy anymore and knowledge has to be passed on to the next generation. For a moment she relived her own training with Master Ravasz, a wise and brave hound with the best nose in the world. He could find hidden people in a matter of seconds and was an excellent explorer too. He didn’t share all the details of what he did as a Master hound, but Mogwai knew that she never had to be afraid of anything with him around. Sadly, Master Ravasz crossed the rainbow bridge a while ago, and now it was up to Mogwai and Oona to teach Lizzie everything they knew. Neither of them felt like they could live up to the expectations, feeling a bit insecure now and then, even doubting their own skills.

Suddenly, Mogwai remembered one of her favourite training together with Master Ravasz when she was just a fluffy puppy with ears that would have a different position every day, and itching teeth that would make her try to chew on shoelaces all day. That first beautiful summer, they went on so many treasure hunts together and solved riddles together until Mogwai got the hang of it. Perhaps that would be fun to introduce Lizzie! Would that be still possible after all these years? Even Oona had never heard of this.

Mogwai and Oona looked up the information while Lizzie tried to get a glimpse from peeking over their shoulders. “What treasure? How does it work? Can we go and get one now?” Overjoyed with the idea of going on an adventure together, Lizzie hopped around, her big ears flopping in all directions and her paws dancing all over the wooden floor. Mogwai and Oona looked at each other, smiles from ear to ear. Yeah, an adventure together sounded just perfect.
“Ok, bouncing ball, shhh! First of all, we have to apply as a team to be able to take part in this training. Then we will have to wait to see if we got approved…” Mogwai glanced at Lizzie to see how she took the news because waiting and patience were the last words any dog or human would associate with Lizzie. But Lizzie was just all ears, listening carefully to Mo’s every word.
“We need to write a letter and add some pictures. If we’ll get approved by the board, we will get further instructions.”

Every morning, before anyone else had even opened their eyes or stretched some lazy tails, Lizzie had already checked the mailbox twice. But don’t be mistaken, the older two might play it cool, they too keep an eye on every movement outside the cabin. Not a deer or pigeon would pass by without being registered by six sparkling eyes.

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