Marlo the ladybug

Marlo folded her tiny red wings and caught her breath, the table still wobbling a little from the wind she'd been fighting.

Harley the pitbull dog tilted her big head, ears flopping, and gave a gentle boof that was more curious than scary. Her tail gave one slow thump against the table leg.

"Hi there, little flier," Harley said, voice all rumbly but sweet. "You looked like you were tumbling around up there. I'm Harley. What's your name?"

Marlo dusted off her spots and smiled up at the big, droopy-faced pup. "I'm Marlo," she said, a little breathless. "Thanks for not, um... slobbering on me. The wind was rude today."

Harley giggled — a big dog giggle. "Wind's rude to me too — blows my ears inside out." She lowered her nose to table level, careful not to make a breeze. "You need a rest stop or a lift somewhere, Marlo?"

Harley's ears perked up. "The corn field? Oh!" She looked around the backyard, then toward the fence where tall green stalks swayed beyond. "I know that one! My human calls it the 'big green maze' past the garden." 

Marlo stood taller on her six little legs. "That's it! Us ladybugs are supposed to take care of the field. We get rid of all the bad bugs — aphids, mites, all the ones that munch the corn." She sighed. "But the wind blew me way off course. I'm so tired and I can't see over the grass."

Harley gave a soft, understanding whine. "Bad bugs hurting the corn? That's not okay." She tapped the table leg gently with her paw. "Don't you worry, Marlo. I might not fly, but I know every path in this yard." 

She lowered her head until her broad, warm back was level with the table. "Hop on. I'll be your ladybug taxi. We pitbulls are good at guarding things — so I can help guard you while you get to work."

Marlo's antennae wiggled with excitement. "Really? You'd do that?" 

"Course," Harley grinned, her tongue doing a little happy blep. "What are field buddies for?"

Marlo carefully climbed onto Harley's back, holding onto her short fur. "To the corn field, Captain Harley!"

How does Harley get Marlo through the yard to the corn field?

With Marlo holding tight to her fur, Harley’s whole body wiggled with excitement. 

"Hold on to your spots, Marlo!" Harley said, her tail going thump-thump-thump. "I’m fast and I can jump real high. We’ll have you to that corn field in no time."

And she meant it. Harley took off like a furry rocket — zoom! — across the yard, her powerful legs eating up the grass. Marlo squealed, but it was a happy squeal. The wind from Harley’s speed felt nothing like the mean wind from before. This was the good kind.

Then came the garden fence. It was way taller than Marlo could ever fly when she was tired. But Harley just grinned, crouched low, and boing! She sailed over it in one huge, graceful jump. For a second they were flying together, and Marlo threw her tiny arms up. "Whee!"

They landed soft in the grass on the other side. Rows and rows of tall, green corn stalks waved hello just ahead.

Harley carefully crouched down. "End of the line, field buddy."

Marlo climbed down onto a corn leaf, her heart feeling as warm as sunshine. She looked up at her big new friend, all her spots practically glowing. 

"I was so lost and tired," Marlo said. "But I found the corn field and a new friend who’s fast and can jump to the sky. Thank you, Harley."

Harley’s whole face went smiley, ears back and eyes soft. "Anytime, Marlo. I’ll be right here at the fence if you need a ride back. Us field buddies gotta stick together."

Marlo waved an antenna, then marched into the corn, ready to take care of the bad bugs — knowing she wasn’t alone anymore.