First published by Allen & Unwin in 2016
Copyright © Text, Lesley Gibbs 2016
Copyright © Illustrations, Stephen Michael King 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or ten per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to the Copyright Agency (Australia) under the Act.
Allen & Unwin
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Australia
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A Cataloguing-in-Publication entry is available
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ISBN 9781760112844
eISBN 9781952534102
Cover and text design by Stephen Michael King and Trish Hayes
Typeset by Trish Hayes, Stingart
www.lesleygibbes.com
www.stephenmichaelking.com
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 It’s Time to Go
Chapter 2 The Police Academy
Chapter 3 The Vet Check
Chapter 4 The Challenge
Chapter 5 The Clue
Chapter 6 Guess That Scent
Chapter 7 The Rescue
Chapter 8 Graduation Day
With special thanks to Margaret Connolly, Sue Flockhart, Erica Wagner, Stephen Michael King and Trish Hayes.
L.G.
‘Whoo-hoo!’ barked Fizz, as he leapt out of bed and raced to his breakfast bowl.
‘Slow down, son,’ said Fizz’s father.
‘There’s plenty of time before you leave for the academy.’
Fizz buzzed all over. His dream of becoming a police dog had come true.
‘Did you clean your ears, sugarplum?’ asked Fizz’s mother.
‘Yes, Mum,’ said Fizz, between mouthfuls of food.
‘Well, give your fur a good shake. I want you to look especially fluffy on your first day of training.’
‘Yes, Mum,’ said Fizz, shaking till he looked like a white fuzzy ball.
‘Fancy my little Fizz training to be a police dog,’ she said.
‘And not just any police dog,’ said Fizz’s father, ‘but an undercover police dog. An undercover police dog doesn’t have to look like a police dog.’
‘That’s right, dear. No one will suspect our Fizz is a fierce undercover agent,’ said Fizz’s mother, looking at him proudly.
Fizz pricked his ears. The deep rumbling of Tom Whittaker’s ute pulling up outside the Sunnyvale Boarding House for Dogs meant it was time to go.
‘Tom’s here!’ said Fizz, wagging his fluffy tail and hoping for a quick goodbye.
Tom was the grounds-keeper and he had known Fizz since he was a pup.
‘It’s not too late to change your mind, sugarplum,’ said Fizz’s mother. ‘Ms Trunchon at the Dog Employment Department can always find you another job.’
‘I don’t need Ms Trunchon, Mum. I’m going to be an undercover police dog!’ said Fizz.
‘Well then,’ said Fizz’s father, ‘we’ll see you on Graduation Day.’
Fizz ran out the door and jumped onto the front seat of Tom’s ute.
‘Ready?’ asked Tom.
‘You bet I am!’ said Fizz, wriggling with excitement.
Tom drove out the boarding house gate and headed for the Blue Haven Police Academy for Dogs.
‘You did it, Fizz. You really did it!’ said Tom, beeping his horn. ‘See, you don’t know what you can do until you try!’
Fizz couldn’t believe his eyes. The Blue Haven Police Academy for Dogs was enormous.
‘These facilities are state-of-the-art,’ said Tom, as he parked at the entrance.
Fizz’s stomach fluttered with anticipation.
‘Listen to your instructors and you’ll be fine,’ said Tom, opening the door of the ute. ‘I’ll be back with your family on Graduation Day.’
Tom gave Fizz a goodbye pat, then drove away.
Fizz looked over the academy grounds. The police dog tryouts had been hard, but training at the academy was going to be even harder.
He watched as dogs of all shapes and sizes arrived. A Great Dane was squashed into the front seat of a little red car. A Rottweiler slid off the back tray of a green dump truck, and a bus with an embarrassing advertisement for dog-worming tablets on the side of it dropped off another three trainee police dogs. And then a graceful little dog arrived in a circus caravan. Fizz stared as she pranced her way over to the academy.
‘Take a photo, sweetie, it will last longer,’ she said.
‘Sorry,’ said Fizz. ‘It’s just that I’ve never seen a dog like you before. What are you?’
‘I’m a Chinese Crested,’ she said, tossing her head. ‘My name’s Remi Razzle. I’m a circus dog. What’s your name?’
‘My name’s Fizz,’ he said, shaking the fur from his eyes.
Remi was the most unusual dog Fizz had ever seen. She had long silky hair on her head and tail and legs, but no hair at all on the rest of her body.
‘I’m training to be an undercover police dog,’ said Remi, swishing her tail.
‘So am I!’ barked Fizz. He was relieved he wasn’t the only small dog at the academy.
A police paddy wagon, with its sirens wailing, stopped to deliver another trainee dog. Out jumped an enormous midnight-black German Shepherd. It was Amadeus. And behind him came his father, a powerful police dog.
‘Listen carefully, son,’ said the police dog to Amadeus. ‘You are a Wolfgang, and Wolfgangs are always winners.’
Amadeus stood up straight. His father leant in closer.
‘Every Wolfgang has taken out the Top Dog Award on Graduation Day, and so will you! Don’t let me down…or else!’
Fizz and Remi walked quickly past Amadeus. Fizz hoped Amadeus hadn’t seen him. They had gone head-to-head at the police dog tryouts, and Amadeus was not happy that a little dog like Fizz had made it through to the academy for training.
‘It’s not too late to chicken out, Powder Puff!’ called Amadeus, spotting Fizz’s fuzzy coat. ‘You’re in Wolfgang territory now!’
Fizz and Remi assembled with Amadeus and the other trainee dogs in the quadrangle at the centre of the academy. At one end was a speaker’s podium, and standing at the podium in his smart blue uniform was Sergeant Stern.
‘Attention, please!’ he called. ‘My name is Sergeant Stern and I’m your training officer here at the academy. As some of you may know, I’m the sergeant at Sunnyvale City Police Station. However, as the regular training officer is ill, I’ve been asked to take his place.’
Fizz breathed easier and the butterflies in his stomach settled. He was glad to see Sergeant Stern’s familiar face.
‘Over the coming weeks you will be trained in four key areas: agility, scent, search, and attack. You must reach a high level of ability in each area to become a police dog. Those of you training to become undercover police dogs’ – Sergeant Stern looked at Fizz and Remi – ‘will have an additional challenge.’
Fizz got goosebumps. What might the challenge be?
‘You must all be congratulated for making it this far,’ continued Sergeant Stern. ‘But there is a waiting list of dogs ready
to take your place should you find the training too difficult, or if you cannot continue due to accident or illness.’
Amadeus turned to Fizz. ‘You’ll get replaced after the first obstacle course, Powder Puff.’
Fizz knew that if he didn’t do well at training he’d be sent to Ms Trunchon. And if he was sent to Ms Trunchon, she’d give him a horrible job like advertising worming tablets on the side of a bus.
‘Your first day will start with a vet check, followed by a tour of the academy,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘You’ll then be shown to your rooms. Dinner is in the dining hall each evening at dusk. This way, please.’
Fizz, Remi, Amadeus and all the other dogs followed Sergeant Stern to the veterinary clinic and formed a line outside.
‘Dogs before fur balls!’ said Amadeus, pushing in front of Fizz and stepping on his paw. It was still sore from the tryouts.
‘This is Ms Jabb, our veterinarian at the academy, and her assistant dog Shamus,’ said Sergeant Stern.
Shamus was a large Rottweiler. He had a tuft of ginger fur on the top of his head and an unfortunate habit of spitting when he talked.
‘Ms Jabb will give you a thorough examination to make sure you’re fit and healthy. If you don’t pass your vet check, you’re out. I’ll leave you in Ms Jabb’s capable hands,’ said Sergeant Stern.
‘This way, pleassssse,’ spat Shamus, ushering the first three dogs into the waiting room.
‘Say it, don’t spray it,’ jeered Amadeus, making the other dogs laugh at Shamus.
Fizz watched as three dogs went into the clinic for their examination. A short time later only two dogs came out.
‘What happened?’ asked Fizz.
‘The Dalmatian has ingrown toenails. He has to see Ms Trunchon for a more suitable job,’ said Shamus, sounding a little pleased. ‘You’re next!’
Fizz’s throat tightened. He was well, but his paw was tender. He hoped it wouldn’t be a problem.
Fizz, Remi and Amadeus filed inside.
‘What’s your name, dear?’ asked Ms Jabb, snapping on a pair of rubber gloves.
‘Remi Razzle, Ms,’ said Remi, leaping up onto the examination table and holding a handstand before sitting down.
‘Ssshow off!’ said Shamus, spraying dog-biscuit crumbs all over Fizz.
Ms Jabb gave Remi a thorough check over. ‘You’re in perfect health, dear,’ she said, reaching into a striped box. ‘You may have a biscuit treat before you go.’
Fizz was next.
‘What’s your name, dear?’ asked
Ms Jabb.
‘Fizz,’ he said, hopping onto a chair then up to the examination table.
‘Sorry dear, what was that?’ asked Ms Jabb.
‘Fuzz,’ barked Amadeus, before Fizz could answer.
‘Right, Fuzz,’ said Ms Jabb,
‘There’s nothing to worry about. Stand still, please.’
Amadeus howled with laughter.
‘My name’s Fizz, Ms Jabb,’ said Fizz, standing as still as possible.
Ms Jabb poked and prodded. Then she lifted up his sore paw and paused. Fizz was sure she’d found something she didn’t like.
‘You’re in great shape, Fizz. You may have a biscuit treat too.’
Fizz breathed easier and got down.
‘Wait, Ms Jabb,’ barked Amadeus. ‘Fuzz’s got black things in his fur!’
‘What, fleas?’ cried Ms Jabb, quickly searching through Fizz’s coat.
‘I haven’t got fleas, Ms Jabb,’ said Fizz.
‘We can’t take a chance with a flea outbreak at the academy,’ said Ms Jabb.
‘You’ll need a flea bath immediately. Shamus, bring me a new bottle of flea treatment, and be careful to hold it gently in your jaw. I’m finding your teethmarks on all my bottles and boxes.’
‘Can’t we just send him home?’ asked Shamus.
Fizz held his breath.
‘No, Shamus, and it’s not nice to be so pleased at others’ misfortunes.’
‘Phew!’ sighed Fizz. He’d passed the vet check!
Amadeus was rolling on the floor in hysterics.
‘I wouldn’t be laughing too hard, dear,’ said Miss Jabb, reading Amadeus’s medical file. ‘You’re due for your parvovirus vaccination!’
Fizz ate breakfast early the next morning. He was too excited to sleep. Sergeant Stern had called everyone to the agility course for their first training session and he didn’t want to be late.
‘Wait for me!’ called Remi, racing to catch him. ‘Did you hear what happened to Wesley last night? Someone swapped his food bowl and he had fried liver instead of boiled chicken. He had an allergic reaction and had to go home. The cook’s furious. She’d bought four weeks’ worth of food especially for him. That’s two dogs who have been sent home and we haven’t even had our first training session!’
‘You mean three dogs,’ said Fizz.
‘Someone stole Lucinda’s squeaky toy last night. She was so frantic Sergeant Stern told her to go home. He had thought she was good enough to take out the Top Dog Award this year.’
‘Out of my way, losers,’ said Amadeus, shoving past Fizz and Remi. ‘The only Top Dog around here is me!’
Fizz and Remi joined Sergeant Stern and the other trainee police dogs in front of the agility course, which was a track laid out with obstacles along it.
‘This morning we’re going to work on your coordination, strength, and stamina,’ he said.
Fizz’s heart pounded in his chest. The agility course looked challenging.
‘Fizz will go first, followed by Apollo,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘Take care on the balance beam, it’s trickier than it looks.’
Fizz stepped up to the starting line. He could see the high balance beam in the centre of the course.
‘Ready?’ asked Sergeant Stern. Fizz nodded. ‘Go!’
Fizz sprang over the first two jumps, then weaved in and out of a set of posts, sending clumps of grass flying. He raced through a cloth tunnel, jumped through a set of hoops, and ran up and over a seesaw. His muscles tensed. The balance beam was ahead. He climbed up onto the high platform and paused.
‘He’s chicken. Too scaredy to cross,’ jeered Amadeus.
Fizz’s heart raced, but he stepped carefully onto the balance beam. The beam wobbled under his feet. Fizz caught his breath, then tiptoed step by step across the shaky beam.
‘You made it, Fizz!’ cheered Remi, standing on her back legs and stepping in a circle.
Fizz raced down the ramp, scrambled over a set of slippery barrels, and skidded down a slide to the finish line, in front of Sergeant Stern.
‘Good work, Fizz,’ said Sergeant Stern.
Apollo the Doberman was next. Fizz watched as he bounded onto the balance beam and took some wobbly steps.
‘He’s going to topple,’ cried Amadeus. ‘For sure!’
The balance beam shook and quivered.
‘Come on Apollo, you can do it!’ barked Remi.
Then, with a crack and a yelp, Apollo and the balance beam crashed to the ground.
‘He’s hurt!’ called Fizz, running over to help. ‘Look, he’s twisted his ankle.’
Sergeant Stern inspected Apollo’s leg and the broken balance beam. ‘It looks like you’ll be going home, Apollo. Your ankle is too swollen to continue training.’
Sergeant Stern helped Apollo to his feet. ‘Amadeus, walk Apollo slowly to the vet clinic so Ms Jabb can strap his leg. Sorry, everyone, but that’s it for the agility course today. We’ll continue your stamina training on the exercise tracks and swimming pool. Fizz and Remi, I’d like you to stay behind for some undercover training please.’
Fizz’s legs shook like jelly. Remi bounded over enthusiastically.
Sergeant Stern clasped his hands behind his back. ‘Every year, the undercover dogs are given a special challenge to test their detective skills. Fizz, Remi, your challenge is to solve a mystery. Four trainee police dogs have been sent home and replaced with dogs from the waiting list. I don’t belie
ve they’re all accidents. I want you to find out who’s doing this and why. Solve the mystery, and you’ll pass your undercover training. Fail, and you won’t graduate to become undercover police dogs.’
Fizz gulped.
‘Start by investigating the balance beam,’ said Sergeant Stern, before he turned and headed off for the exercise tracks.
Fizz and Remi inspected the balance beam together.
‘Look,’ said Remi. ‘Someone’s chewed the bottom of the balance beam support, and they’ve dug around the base to make sure it would topple.’
‘Sergeant Stern’s right,’ said Fizz, narrowing his eyes. ‘This is no accident. This is sabotage! Someone switched Wesley’s food bowl on purpose, someone hid Lucinda’s squeaky toy, and someone sabotaged the agility equipment today.’
‘But who?’ asked Remi.
‘Who has the most to gain if the best dogs are sent home?’ asked Fizz. ‘Who has to win Top Dog or else? Amadeus!’
‘If it is Amadeus, we’re going to need proof,’ said Fizz, pacing up and down in his room. ‘Did you notice anything strange about the bite marks on the balance beam?’
‘They were large,’ said Remi. ‘It has to be a big dog, about the size of Amadeus.’
‘But most of the dogs at the academy are big,’ said Fizz, shaking his head. ‘We need something else.’
‘What about the bite pattern?’ said Remi. ‘There’s a gap in the bite marks like teeth are missing.’
‘That’s it, Remi!’ said Fizz. ‘If we can match the bite pattern from the balance beam to the bite pattern of a dog at the academy, then we’ve found our saboteur.’
‘But how?’ asked Remi.
Fizz and the Dog Academy Rescue: Fizz 2 Page 1
