Once again Max’s heart swelled with longing, but the sight of the empty homes couldn’t be why the pack of German Shepherds had stopped. No, something was afoot.
Max spun in a slow circle, catching sight of another of the orange-and-white barriers with its flashing beacon. He sniffed at the air, hoping to catch the woman’s scent—but instead he smelled something else.
Wolves.
“Officers!” Julep finally barked. “Have we determined the location of the smell?”
“Sir!” one of the dogs at the rear called. “The wolves are coming up from the south and the east, through the swamp.”
“How soon do you reckon they’ll reach the town limits?”
“Sir!” Dixie barked. “If they get past the alligators, they’re bound to reach here within a day or two.”
Julep nodded. “Well, we’re safe for the moment. Let’s get to the square, then it’s back on patrol.”
“Yes, sir!” the eleven Shepherds barked in unison.
“Sorry about that,” Julep said to Max. “We have to be cautious. But there’s nothing to worry about for now.”
“Thanks,” Max said.
As the group resumed walking, Rocky and Gizmo leaned in close to Max.
“Wolves!” Rocky said. “Can’t we ever get away from wolves?”
“I bet you it’s Dolph again,” Gizmo said with a growl.
Max sighed. “Whoever the wolves are, we’re still at least a day ahead of them. So let’s just worry about finding Madame’s pack leader. She’ll be able to help.”
The dogs didn’t have to walk much farther before they reached a giant, open square meadow that was, to Max’s surprise, recently mowed.
Bits of shaved grass and ragweed wafted off the lawn and swirled into Max’s nose, tickling his nostrils. He sneezed, but not before he got a good whiff. It was a smell that was both fresh and irritating at the same time, an unusual mix that he hadn’t inhaled since before the people were gone.
“We’re here!” Julep announced. “Welcome to the town square.”
It was as though the humans had never left. The road branched into a perfect square around the stretch of lawn. Tall metal lampposts rose from the clean-swept sidewalks, and benches were evenly spaced.
Stately buildings of red-and-tan bricks lined the square. On one, a blue-painted sign read POLICE DEPARTMENT. Next door was a firehouse with a gleaming red truck inside. Across the square was a post office, and next to it, a small courthouse.
On the great lawn, a bronze statue of a man in a funny coat and hat stood on a concrete pedestal. Behind the statue, in the center of the grass square, was a fountain that gushed crystal-clear water. Surrounding it were plots of flowers in full bloom, without a weed in sight.
And at the back of the square, opening up onto the lawn, was the biggest building of all. From its steepled roof rose a tower that was open on top to reveal a big brass bell. Above the doors, a sign read TOWN HALL.
Everything was pristine and perfect. Though no humans walked the sidewalks, the touch of human hands had clearly been here recently.
“All right, back to patrol!” Julep barked to his pack. “Except you, Dixie. Come over here.”
“Yes, sir!” Dixie barked.
She raced over to join Julep while the other German Shepherds tore off in different directions to continue their job of protecting the town.
Julep nodded to Max. “I’m afraid that I must supervise,” he said. “I leave you in the capable paws of Dixie. She’ll take you to our lady. She’s not very far.”
“Thanks for everything,” Max said, offering a friendly wag of his tail. “We appreciate you coming for us.”
“Even though we didn’t really need it,” Rocky said.
“Rocky!” Gizmo scolded. To Julep, she said, “You’ve been great! I hope we see you again soon.”
“I’m sure you will, little lady,” the Shepherd said. “Do enjoy your stay.”
With that, Julep galloped off toward the post office.
“Come with me,” Dixie said. “It’s near feeding time!”
She turned and raced onto the grass, and Max and the others followed. In seconds, Max’s paws left the sidewalk and met soft, squishy grass and earth. He couldn’t help but drop down and roll around on his back.
“Oh, these flowers smell wonderful!”
Max looked up to see Gizmo and Rocky tromping through the garden. Dixie watched, panting happily, as the dogs played. Even Georgie seemed to enjoy himself, standing ankle deep in the fountain and lapping up the water as it cascaded past his snout.
Max shook himself, then trotted over to rejoin the group. As he neared them, however, Dixie went stiff and spun to face the town hall. Gizmo did the same.
“Squirrel!” Dixie barked.
“Squirrel!” Gizmo echoed.
On the lawn near the fountain, a gray-and-brown squirrel stood frozen in place, its tiny black eyes fixed on the gang of dogs. Its fluffy tail twitched, ever so slightly.
And then the squirrel raced off.
Max knew there were more important things to do than roll in the fresh-mowed grass and chase a squirrel. His orderly, Praxis-enhanced brain told him to focus on finding the old woman.
But instinct proved to be stronger. Without thinking, the dogs tore into a run. Georgie leaped out of the fountain with a splash, and Gizmo and Rocky left behind a flurry of soil and colorful petals. Max’s hind legs kicked up a cloud of dirt and grass as he followed Dixie.
The squirrel squealed angry insults as it ran over the lawn, but Max couldn’t understand its chittery words. Not that it mattered. That little fluffball needed chasing!
They zigzagged around the flower beds before circling back to the fountain. Realizing it couldn’t lose its pursuers, the squirrel made a mad dash toward a white building near the town hall. The building was round, with open walls and a roof that rose to a point.
“It’s going to the gazebo!” Dixie cried.
“Flank it, Rocky!” Gizmo yipped. “It’s getting away!”
The Dachshund’s legs were a blur as he tried to reach the angry squirrel. “I’m trying!” he yelped. “It’s too quick!”
The squirrel reached the gazebo steps moments ahead of the dogs. It leaped onto a bench, then a railing, and finally scrambled up one of the posts. After another round of unintelligible insults, it vanished into the eaves.
The five dogs collapsed onto their bellies, all eyes on the hole through which the squirrel had disappeared. They panted and heaved for air.
And then, Georgie laughed.
It was a sound almost as loud as his howl, a deep laugh that burst from his mouth and enveloped the entire lawn in good cheer. His tail slapped the grass.
It was impossible for the other dogs not to join in, and soon all five of them were rolling on their sides, guffawing.
“I haven’t had so much fun in a long time,” Georgie said.
“Yay!” Gizmo cried. “I’m glad!”
Max nudged Georgie’s side with his nose. “See? Everything is going to be all right. We’re about to meet the old lady in the hat, and it won’t be long before we’re off to see Belle in Baton Rouge.”
Dixie narrowed her eyes. “Did you say Belle? In Baton Rouge?”
“He sure did,” Rocky said. “Why?”
Before Dixie could answer, a loud, metallic bong echoed above them.
Rocky scrabbled backward. “What was that?” he asked.
Dixie pointed her snout at the tower atop the town hall. Another bong rang out, and Max saw the shining brass bell vibrate.
“When it’s daylight, it rings on the hour, every hour,” Dixie explained. “When it rings six times in the afternoon, that means it’s feeding time!”
The dogs all looked up at the gleaming bell, counting silently. When the sixth bong reverberated through the streets, Dixie started toward the road that ran past the post office.
“This way,” she said. Max, Rocky, Gizmo, and Georgie followed her.
&nb
sp; “Say, Dixie,” Max asked as he trotted at her side. “Why did you react that way when we mentioned Belle and Baton Rouge?”
The police dog’s ears twitched, and she finally said, “It’s just I’ve heard the name, is all. Some dogs ’round town must have spoken of her. You can ask them more, if you’re curious.”
“I think I will,” Max said as they reached the sidewalk in front of the post office. Other dogs and cats slipped from behind bushes and out of darkened doorways, making their way to the sidewalk. Just like the German Shepherds, their fur was shiny and recently groomed. Each one wore a brand-new, brightly colored collar with a little silver tag dangling beneath it.
“Afternoon,” a black cat said, nodding cordially at the newcomers.
“Afternoon to you, too, Minerva,” Dixie said. “How are things?”
“Same ol’,” Minerva yowled. “That little dog Beth Ann keeps trying to sleep in my foyer. I tell her she lives two houses down, but she always forgets, bless her heart. I try not to get too mad at her, though.”
“Well, you just let me know if she causes any real problems, you hear?”
Minerva flicked her tail. “I can handle it, dear. But thank you for the offer.” The black cat nodded once more at Max and his friends, then darted ahead.
Other pets soon surrounded the dogs, none apparently concerned by the new arrivals. In fact, they were friendlier than most animals Max and his friends had met, saying, “How do?” before breaking off to chat with their friends.
The parade of pets stretched in a line past a general store and a gas station before finally halting in front of a single-story building. The air was filled with gentle laughter and friendly conversation as the animals waited patiently for whatever was about to happen. Dixie motioned that they should do the same, so Max and his companions sat on the sidewalk, looking every which way, their ears alert.
Max focused on the building. There was a sign in the front window, but it was too far away to read. He could barely see a cartoon drawing of a dog and a cat. A vet’s office? That would make sense, though he’d never heard of animals lining up to get in!
On the north side of the building, Max saw the front end of a large white van parked in a driveway. He also thought he could hear the sounds of a farm, which seemed strange—who would keep a farm in town? A quick sniff told him it was true, though. Over the musky scents of pet fur was the gassy stench of cows and pigs, goats and chickens.
“I can hear her!” a dog near the door barked.
All the pets fell silent. Max held his breath even as his heart pounded a happy beat inside him. Could this finally be it?
With a creak, the front door opened. A woman emerged wearing loose pants and a flowing blouse patterned with purple roses. Just like the beach animals had said, she had on a straw hat tied with a purple ribbon.
The woman knelt to scratch the ears of the animals on the porch, then stood up to survey her visitors.
Max could see her clearly now. She had a pale, wrinkled face with friendly eyes and white hair.
And when she smiled, Max knew for certain.
This was the woman in the photograph back at the laboratories where Praxis was made.
This was Madame Curie’s owner, who would help reunite him with his family.
After all the dangers of the long road here, they’d finally found her.
CHAPTER 13
THE GOOD DOCTOR
The last humans Max had seen after everyone disappeared were the bad people back at the city near the riverboat. They’d been awful and cruel, and stunk of meanness. They were nothing like the family Max had been searching for.
So as Max watched the old woman stride down the front walkway with a small army of dogs and cats leaping happily around her feet, a joyous warmth flooded his insides.
Her caring and warmth were apparent as she bent down and scratched animals behind their ears and stroked their fur, offering gentle smiles and calm, soothing words of praise. Her scent—a human smell of sun-warmed skin and flowery soap—wafted over the manicured front lawn of the vet’s office, and with it came hundreds of memories of Charlie and Emma and the rest of his missing family.
Even though he wasn’t sad, Max couldn’t help but whimper as he watched the woman approach.
Cats leaped at her loose pants, meowing, “Pet me, lady!” and “No, feed me first!” One yowled, “You kept me waiting a long time. But I’ll forgive you if you put food in my bowl right now!”
Dogs large and small spun in excited circles, their bodies trembling in uncontained glee, their tails a blur. They barked, “You’re the best!” and “Pet my head, please!” and “Ball! I saw a ball! Want to play?”
“You’re all so eager today,” the woman said. She scratched the underside of a tawny cat’s chin, and it closed its eyes in ecstasy. “I’ll have food for you very soon. The livestock need tending first, my dears.”
Next to Max, Gizmo danced from paw to paw, while Rocky leaped up and down.
“I can’t believe it’s a real, live person,” Gizmo said. “And she seems so nice!”
“Oh, I could really go for a belly scratch,” Rocky said. Looking up at Max, he asked, “Do you think she gives out belly scratches?”
Georgie chuckled. “She does give belly scratches,” he said. “At least, she did to me. I never thought I’d see her again. I’m glad I came with you three.”
Grass squelched beneath the old woman’s white sneakers as she drew closer. Dixie sat at full attention, all professional.
Max considered leaping onto the woman and licking her face.
The woman paused a few feet from Max, Rocky, Gizmo, and Georgie, and a look of confusion briefly crossed her face.
“My, my, what have we here,” she said.
Her voice was the sweetest, most beautiful thing ever to grace his ears, Max decided.
“You three are new.” Her eyes falling on Georgie, she said, “And you, my friend, seem to have followed me from the beach.”
She rubbed Georgie’s head, then carefully held her hand out to Max, Rocky, and Gizmo. They sniffed it one by one, inhaling her perfect scent and absorbing her calm manner. Instinctively, Max licked her hand.
The woman smiled and wiped her hand on her pants. “You seem like friendly dogs, though much too skinny. And your fur…” She shook her head. “I’m Dr. Lynn, and we shall find out your names soon enough. A pleasure to meet you.”
“You, too, Doc!” Rocky barked.
“Yes,” Gizmo yipped. “Lynn is such a pretty name! I’m Gizmo, and this is Rocky.”
“And I’m Max,” Max woofed.
“Oh, you’re chatty dogs, aren’t you?” Dr. Lynn said. “I bet you haven’t heard a human voice in some time. Well, once everyone is fed, it’s time for you three to have a checkup.”
“Oh, a checkup?” Rocky said. “Well, maybe it will end with belly rubs.”
Leaving the dogs behind, Dr. Lynn strode toward the backyard of the vet’s office, where Max had heard the sounds of farm animals. Many of the waiting cats and dogs bounded after her. Some cast suspicious glances at Max and his friends.
“That was strange,” Georgie said to Max, Rocky, and Gizmo as the horde of pets raced away. “You were talking like you knew what the old woman was saying.”
Dixie looked at Max with narrowed eyes. “Yes, how did you know the word she spoke was her name? It takes the rest of us a long time to understand how humans say sit or stay, let alone figure out their names!”
“It’s nothing, really,” Max said carefully. “The three of us just… Well, we’re a little smarter than the average dog.”
Dixie scoffed. “Oh, you think you’re smarter than us?”
Max said, “It’s nothing like that. It’s a long story, and it involves why the people left.”
“There was this pig we met, on the river, see,” Rocky said. “And an elephant.”
“An ele-what?” Georgie asked.
“Big animal. Gray. Long nose and big ears.” Rocky spr
ead his front paws wide. “And when I mean big, I mean big.”
Dixie rolled her eyes. “Never heard of them. But what do they have to do with being smart?”
“Well, they took us to this laboratory,” Max said. “And they put us through a process that made it so we can understand human words and writing.”
Dixie said, “That’s impossible. Is this some sort of trick?”
“No!” said Gizmo. “We’d never do that to you after you’ve been so nice.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, even though we can understand her, it doesn’t seem like she knows what we’re saying. I guess they didn’t make a Praxis that let humans understand dog barks.”
“But if you can understand humans,” the German Shepherd said, almost to herself, “then that means you can be better police dogs than us.” She met Max’s gaze. “You have to take us to this lab.”
“Uh, hold on, sister,” Rocky said. “That place is miles and miles from here, in the complete opposite direction of where we’re going.”
Dixie stomped her front paw. “Then we can find a way to do it here!”
Max cleared his throat. “Um, maybe,” he said. “But, Dixie, right now we need to be with Dr. Lynn—with the old woman. Thank you for guiding us through the city. Julep, too, and all of you police dogs.”
“Julep!” Dixie barked. “Yes, I should go see Julep.” She turned and ran back down the street.
“Why would an ele-what need a nose that long?” Georgie mumbled.
Rocky laughed. “Don’t worry about it, big guy. You’re not going to meet one anytime soon.”
Though Max was concerned by Dixie’s strange reaction to learning about their Praxis abilities, he had more pressing concerns. Dr. Lynn had returned from feeding the farm animals in the backyard. All the animals watched her in hushed excitement.
She unraveled a hose from the side of the building, then turned the spigot and filled a few dozen large, plastic bowls with clear, sparkling water. That done, she briefly disappeared behind the house and reappeared carrying a big bag of kibble. Surprisingly, all the dogs waited patiently as she scooped out servings, even though the pinging of food into the bowls made Max want to dive right into a meal.
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