Fizz and the Police Dog Tryouts: Fizz 1

by Lesley Gibbes

  ‘That’s a pass, Fizz,’ called Sergeant Stern.

  ‘Whoa, Fizz,’ said Benny. ‘You’re amazing! You should’ve seen Amadeus after the Scare Test. He was so mad I thought he was going to explode.’

  ‘You looked scary, too. I bet Bruno has nightmares about cabbages now,’ laughed Fizz.

  ‘Would the ten remaining dogs please take their places for the Chase-and-Catch Test,’ called Sergeant Stern.

  Fizz, Benny, Razor, Bruno and Amadeus were all still in the competition, along with five other dogs.

  ‘Congratulations. You are the top ten dogs today, but only one of you will become the next Sunnyvale City Police Dog. This final test will decide the winner. Please form one line for the Chase-and-Catch,’ said Sergeant Stern.

  A police officer disguised as a burglar joined Sergeant Stern. The ‘burglar’ was dressed in black, with an eye-mask and a big black hat.

  ‘Catch the burglar and bring him down for a speedy arrest,’ instructed Sergeant Stern. ‘You have five minutes and five minutes only to bring the burglar to the ground. Take too long and you’re out!’

  Fizz felt confident about the chase because he was a fast runner. But he wasn’t a big dog, and he didn’t have the weight that was needed to pull a man to the ground. Fizz looked at the burglar. He was nimble, and fast on his feet. If Fizz wanted to be a police dog, he would have to pass this final test. But how ever was he going to do it?

  Fizz watched as dog after dog tried to bring the burglar down. Razor, Bruno and Benny had all tried, but the burglar was still standing.

  ‘Bad luck, Benny. You almost had him,’ said Fizz.

  ‘I don’t mind,’ said Benny, looking at his feet. ‘I really want to be a rescue dog anyway.’

  Only Fizz and Amadeus were left. And Fizz was next. If he couldn’t bring the burglar to his knees, his dream of being a police dog was over. He’d spend the rest of his life as a show dog. Fizz’s nose went dry and his heart raced.

  ‘This is it, Fizz! It’s between you and Amadeus now. Good luck! You can do it, I know you can,’ said Benny.

  ‘Ready, Fizz?’ asked Sergeant Stern. Fizz took a long, deep breath, then nodded. ‘Remember, Fizz, you have only five minutes,’ warned Sergeant Stern. ‘Take your place at the starting line. Ready. Set. Go!’ He pressed the start button on his stopwatch.

  The burglar made a speedy escape. Fizz raced after him. His white paws thumped and skidded on the loose dirt of the compound. Fizz pushed his legs harder and faster. He chased the burglar in and out of old crates and boxes.

  ‘Four minutes left,’ called Sergeant Stern.

  Fizz was right behind the burglar.

  ‘Jump, Fizz, jump!’ yelled Benny.

  Fizz pushed on with all his strength. His muscles burned. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his sore paw. As Fizz stumbled, the burglar sped away.

  ‘Keep trying!’ yelled Benny.

  Fizz ran faster and faster. He closed in on the burglar.

  ‘Three minutes left,’ called Sergeant Stern.

  ‘Jump!’ howled Benny.

  But Fizz didn’t jump. He kept on running…right past the burglar.

  ‘What are you doing, Fizz? Go back!’ yelled Benny.

  ‘Loser!’ said Amadeus. ‘You’re supposed to catch him, not race him, Powder Puff!’

  Fizz searched frantically for a way to get up higher. If his paw was too sore to jump the burglar in one big leap, then he’d have do it in smaller ones.

  He saw his chance. He ran towards the abandoned getaway car and jumped onto the rusty bonnet. His claws screeched as he slid towards the windscreen…thud. Fizz scrambled onto the roof of the car and waited.

  ‘He’s got a plan!’ shouted Benny. ‘Watch, everyone!’

  ‘Two minutes left,’ called Sergeant Stern.

  Fizz leapt high into the air just as the burglar was passing the car. With his fur flying in all directions, Fizz landed – thump – right on the burglar’s head. The burglar stumbled, but Fizz held on tight. Then he pushed the burglar’s black hat down hard over his eyes.

  ‘The burglar can’t see!’ yelled a large Dalmatian to the crowd.

  The man wriggled the hat but it was stuck fast over his eyes.

  ‘One minute left,’ called Sergeant Stern, holding his stopwatch aloft.

  Quick as a flea, Fizz grabbed the burglar’s trousers and tugged them to the ground. Then he clamped the burglar’s black belt with his teeth and pulled it tight around the man’s ankles. Fizz pulled and pulled till his jaw ached. With both feet tied together and the hat over his eyes, the burglar started to lose his balance. Fizz yanked harder. The burglar wobbled and tottered.

  I’m going to win, thought Fizz. Just one more pull and I’ll bring him down.

  ‘He’s going to do it! He’s going to win!’ shouted Benny, bouncing like a beach ball.

  Fizz was dizzy with anticipation. I’m going to be a police dog. I really am!

  Then out of nowhere, a dark and menacing body leapt over Fizz’s head and landed heavily upon the burglar’s chest. The crowd gasped.

  The burglar toppled to the ground. Sergeant Stern pressed the stop button on his stopwatch.

  ‘Your time’s up, Powder Puff!’ growled Amadeus.

  Fizz crumpled with disappointment. Amadeus had brought the burglar down. His dream of being a police dog was over. Amadeus would be the new Sunnyvale City Police Dog. Bruno and Razor howled with delight.

  I’ll never be anything more than a lap dog, thought Fizz as he trudged back to where Benny and Sergeant Stern were waiting.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Fizz,’ said Benny, running to meet him.

  ‘The winner,’ announced Sergeant Stern, ‘of the City Police Dog tryouts, and our brand new Sunnyvale City Police Dog is… Amadeus.’

  Amadeus gave out a loud victory howl. Razor and Bruno barked madly.

  ‘Congratulations, Amadeus,’ said Fizz politely.

  ‘The best dog won, Powder Puff,’ growled Amadeus. ‘I’m the new City Police Dog. Don’t you forget it! It’s time for you to go back to puppy school where you belong.’ Then he turned his back on Fizz and howled at the crowd, ‘I am Amadeus the Awesome!’

  ‘I’m sorry, Fizz,’ said Sergeant Stern patting Fizz on the back. ‘You did very well but you just don’t look like a police dog.’

  Fizz drooped. Even Sergeant Stern thought he was just a little fluffy dog.

  ‘Which is a very good thing,’ continued Sergeant Stern, ‘because it makes you perfect for our Undercover Dog Division. All that fuzzy fur is the perfect disguise for a keen-eyed undercover police dog like you.’

  Fizz tingled all over. Surely he was dreaming! Benny was bouncing and everyone was cheering – except Amadeus, who muttered something nasty under his breath.

  ‘Congratulations, Undercover Agent Fizz,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘I know you’re going to do a great job!’

  Fizz puffed out his fluffy chest so far he thought he would burst. If only his family was here to share in his excitement.

  Then, from way back in the crowd came a bustling and a rustling and his family burst through the cheering dogs.

  ‘The first undercover police dog in our family! I just couldn’t be prouder,’ said Fizz’s father.

  ‘You’ll look after all that beautiful fur won’t you, sugarplum. After all, it’s an important part of your undercover disguise,’ said Fizz’s mother.

  ‘Yes, Mum, I promise,’ said Fizz. Bella, Crystal, Puff-Pup and Fluff-Pup gave Fizz a happy group hug.

  ‘How did you know I was here?’ asked Fizz.

  ‘Tom told us,’ said Fizz’s mother. ‘He knows we only want the best for you. And besides, he knew you could do it.’

  Fizz snuggled into his mother’s soft fur.

  ‘What’s all this!’ said Sergeant Stern, breaking up the family gathering. ‘It’s straight home and into bed for you, Fizz. Training starts tomorrow!’

  ‘Whoo-hoo!’ cheered Fizz. ‘I can’t wait!’

  The stor
y continues in Book 2

  FIZZ and the DOG ACADEMY RESCUE

  From the Author and the Illustrator

  When Lesley Gibbes discovered that her father-in-law’s childhood nickname was ‘Fizz’, she knew it was the perfect name for her fluffy undercover police dog. But it was her two naughty Jack Russell terriers, Porsche and Cosworth, who were the real inspiration for Fizz. Just like Fizz, they’re clever, brave and fast. And even though they are only the size of a tomcat, they both think they’re as big and as bold as a German Shepherd.

  When Stephen Michael King was a boy he liked to draw dogs: dogs scuba diving, driving cars, playing guitar or flying into outerspace… anything he could imagine a normal dog doing on any normal day. Now Stephen is married with two grown children, one parrot and three dogs, and he still finds himself drawing dogs: dogs in cars, on motorbikes, dressed in silly costumes and chasing robbers.

  Their picture book Scary Night, written by Lesley Gibbes and illustrated by Stephen Michael King, was named an Honour Book in the 2015 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Early Childhood.