The next afternoon, they returned to Guindy Park, each leader bringing along their chosen dog. By now, names had been decided: the Labrador became Rogers, the Rajapalayam was Romeo, and the German Shepherd was Captain.
Godavari had found a training center nearby that also sold dog supplies. It was only two kilometers away—close enough to become part of their routine.
That evening, they picked up essentials: leashes, bowls, food, grooming tools, and training gear. The total came to more than they expected, but no one complained. They split the cost, figured out logistics, and assigned responsibilities. While the leaders stayed back with the dogs for a trial session, the rest ran home to bring bags and boxes for carrying everything.
There was a brief moment of chaos later—a mix-up at the store involving a delayed staff member and a misunderstanding with a customer—but they sorted it out without much trouble. What mattered was that the dogs had settled in with them. Training had begun. And this—this strange, sudden bond—was starting to feel like the beginning of something bigger than any of them could explain.