by Claire Garth
Grover hadn’t had a chance to tell Squeak about his past, but now didn’t seem like the right time to bring it up. It looked like they were arriving – the car was pulling up in front of a big house.
‘So, Squeak, are you excited?’ Grover asked with a grin.
‘Oh boy, am I ever!’ Squeak yelped, desperate to be let out of the car.
The house was one of the prettiest Grover had ever seen. It was made of wood, with vines growing around the front door. There was also a huge porch that wrapped all the way around the house. It had a swing seat at one end. At the other end were three kennels all lined up in a row. Each kennel had a soft blanket in it and was very neat and tidy.
They don’t seem to be the sort of place a mean working dog would sleep! Grover thought. Maybe the dogs will be kind and friendly and let me play with them?
When the car stopped, Squeak whined by the door while his little feet rapidly stomped on the back seat.
‘Slow down there, buddy!’ David laughed as he opened Squeak’s door and quickly tried to grab the puppy’s lead.
Grover patiently waited for Annie to open his door and say ‘Free!’. When she said the magic word, Grover jumped down onto the soft grass.
Goodness me, the air smells amazing! Grover thought. There were so many smells that Grover wasn’t sure which way to point his nose. He could smell cows, and horses, and sheep, and dogs and …
Is that roast chicken? He sniffed as hard as he could in the direction of the house.
Yep, definitely roast chicken! he thought, trying his best not to drool. My favourite!
As he was enjoying the delicious aroma, Squeak arrived at his side.
‘Let’s go exploring, Grover! Can we go? Come on, Grover, can we?’ Squeak pleaded.
‘Hold on, Squeak. Don’t you want to meet your new family first?’ Grover asked.
‘OH YES! I forgot about them for a second,’ said Squeak. ‘I got distracted by the grass and the flowers and the lake and the animals. But I do want to meet my family. Yes, yes, I do!’ Squeak was as excited about the farm as Grover was about the roast chicken.
A loud, friendly voice called out, ‘Hello there! Come on in!’
A lady was standing on the front porch. She was smiling and waving at Annie and David. As they all walked closer to the house, they smelt the most delicious smells coming from inside. There was apple pie, roast vegetables and, of course, ROAST CHICKEN.
I sure hope we’re staying for dinner! Grover thought as he walked up the front steps.
CHAPTER 5
Inside, the house was lovely. It was warm and inviting, and had just the right mix of cosiness and good food. It was perfect!
The lady who greeted them at the front door was called Laura. She was wearing an apron and smelled like cinnamon and apples. MMM, Grover loved apples.
As Annie and David chatted to Laura, Grover noticed two children playing in the living room.
‘Ooh, is that our new dog?’ one of them gasped.
Before he knew it, the two girls were at Grover’s side, patting his fluff. Squeak was nowhere to be seen.
‘Emily and Grace, you leave that poor dog alone!’ Laura called out. ‘He’s just had a long drive and he doesn’t need you two all over him!’
‘Oh, but Mum, he’s so cute! He’s the fluffiest dog ever,’ said the other girl.
Grover blushed. He was pretty proud of his glossy coat, and he loved that people always wanted to pat him.
‘Can we keep him? Can we?’ the girls chanted.
Annie came over and crouched down next to them. ‘Well, girls, this is my dog, Grover. And I love him very much, so I would be too sad to leave him behind. But we’ve brought another dog with us who would love to join your family. He’s a little puppy called Squeak. Grace, why don’t you call him? Maybe he’ll come out to meet you!’
Grace took a big breath and then yelled, ‘SQUEEEAK!’
Grover heard rapid footsteps before Squeak bounded into the room from the kitchen. He was running so fast he looked like a little rabbit!
‘Aw!’ Grace squealed. ‘He’s adorable!’
‘Hi, puppy!’ Emily chirped. ‘Do you want to be our new friend?’
Squeak started grinning from ear to ear as he jumped up and down for the girls’ attention.
‘Hey, Grover, look!’ Squeak called out. ‘It’s my new family! I have a new family! And I’ve been in every room in the house. It’s AMAZING!’
Grover couldn’t help smiling. He’d been so jealous earlier at the thought of Squeak stealing Annie and David’s attention. But watching the joy on Squeak’s face right now made him realise that the most important thing you can do is help someone be happy. David was always saying, ‘It costs nothing to be kind.’ Grover was going to work really hard on always being kind to others.
‘I think I can hear John pulling up outside in his truck,’ said Laura to Annie and David. ‘He’s been herding all day. He’s very keen to get this new puppy to work straightaway. Squeak might even have his first day on the job tomorrow!’
Squeak is getting a job? That’s so cool! Grover thought. I wonder what it might be? Perhaps he’ll go to an office, just like I do. And I wonder what herding is …
‘Hey, girls,’ said Laura, ‘why don’t you take the dogs out the front to meet Dad?’
‘Okay, Mum!’ As the girls ran towards the front door, they called out, ‘Come on, Squeak! Come on, Grover!’
Grover and Squeak bounded down the stairs and ran over to the truck.
Squeak may have only been a puppy, but he was incredibly fast! Grover struggled to keep up. He seriously regretted having a second helping of dog biscuits that morning.
‘How did you get to be so quick, Squeak?’ Grover panted as he reached the truck.
‘I don’t know!’ Squeak replied. ‘I guess I was just born to run!’
I’ll say! Grover thought. Squeak was one of the fastest dogs he had ever seen.
‘Hello, you two,’ said a man standing by the truck. He had his arms around Grace and Emily. ‘This must be Squeak! It’s time for you to meet your brothers, young man. Jump in the tray and I’ll take you out to the paddock. You too, Grover. Girls, go back inside and help Mum with dinner. Tell her we won’t be too long.’
Don’t be nervous, Grover said to himself. If the working dogs are anything like their humans, they’ll be very nice!
The two dogs jumped into the tray on the back of the truck. Farmer John got into the front and started the engine. It took a while for Grover to get used to standing up and not wearing a seatbelt. It was certainly a lot bumpier! As the truck came up over a hill, Grover could see a big tractor in the distance.
That must be Farmer John’s, Grover thought, as they drove closer and closer to it.
The tractor was in the middle of a field and was surrounded by fluffy white sheep. Grover could see three dogs running and darting around the outside of the flock. One of them even jumped up and ran across the backs of some sheep to get to the other side. The dogs were so fast and they never stumbled. Grover was very impressed.
Perhaps those sheep are hiding a ball from the dogs, like a big game of fetch! Grover thought. What an awesome game! I hope they’ll let me join in!
CHAPTER 6
The truck stopped and Farmer John jumped out. He walked around to the tray and gave Squeak a big pat on the head. ‘Welcome to the farm, Squeak!’ he said, before lifting him down and letting him run off into the field.
‘I don’t suppose you’re looking for a job too, are you, Grover?’ Farmer John asked with a smile.
I definitely don’t need another job, Grover thought as he leapt off the truck. But I sure would like to join in that ball game!
‘Alright, Grover, you stay here with Squeak and the boys and have a play. I’m just going to have a look at a broken fence.’
As Grover landed on the soft grass, he noticed that the dogs weren’t playing that game anymore. In fact, they weren’t playing at all. They were standing right
in front of him, staring at him intensely. Two of the dogs were kelpies, just like Squeak, and the other was a blue-ish cattle dog. Grover had met a similar dog in the animal shelter, and everyone said he was a blue heeler.
‘Oh, hi there,’ said Grover. ‘My name’s Grover McBane, and that’s my friend Squeak running around over there. He’s going to be your new fur sibling!’
‘We know who the puppy is, mate,’ said one of the dogs. ‘What we don’t know is why you’re here too.’
‘Oh … I’m just here for the night,’ Grover replied. ‘My humans and I brought Squeak here from the city.’
‘Well, he’s here now, so I guess you can get lost, City Dog,’ one of the other dogs sneered.
I don’t think these dogs are very happy I’m here, Grover thought with dread. Maybe Mr Tibbles was RIGHT.
‘What’s the rule that Farmer John has, Rusty? That only working dogs can stay on this farm?’ said the first dog.
‘Yeah, that’s right, Steve!’ Rusty replied.
‘I haven’t heard that one,’ said the third dog. ‘When did you guys get told that? No-one tells me anything!’
‘Shut up, Rex,’ said Steve, giving him a nasty look. ‘This city dog needs to know that unless he’s going to work, he’s got to leave.’
‘Work or leave! Work or leave!’ the three dogs cheered together.
Grover felt scared. Judging by what he had seen them do earlier, all three dogs were clearly very good farm dogs. Grover wasn’t as fast as he used to be. And, well, he’d never even been on a farm before, let alone worked on one!
Grover knew that he had to try to get along with Squeak’s new siblings. Maybe he had farm dog skills that he didn’t know about? He was a border collie, after all, and lots of border collies were farm dogs.
‘Um, okay. If there’s a job that needs to be done, I’d be happy to help,’ he said. He tried to sound confident, but his voice was shaking a little.
The three dogs looked at each other and quickly formed a huddle. Grover couldn’t hear what they were saying because they were whispering. But he had a feeling they were planning something bad.
‘What are you doing, Grover?’ Squeak asked, appearing at Grover’s side. ‘Come and have a look at the sheep!’
‘Well, Squeak, these three dogs are your new siblings. And, um, they’ve asked for my help with some work, and … I guess they’re now deciding what that work might be,’ Grover replied.
‘Hmm, I’ll go see what they’re saying!’ Squeak chirped, before darting over to the group of farm dogs. Grover nervously waited to see what was in store for him.
‘Okay, we have a plan,’ said Steve. ‘The three of us have worked hard all day and we’re tired. But the sheep still need to be herded back into the barn for the night. So, that’s going to be your job, City Dog.’
‘Um, okay,’ said Grover. ‘But can you just explain the job again? Sorry, I don’t quite understand …’
Grover was puzzled. Did the dogs expect Grover to get all the sheep into the barn? How on earth would he do that? Grover didn’t know how to speak sheep!
‘What I mean, City Dog, is that YOU will need to finish our herding. Every sheep needs to be in that barn by night-time, or else,’ Steve barked.
‘Or else what?’ Grover asked, worried.
‘Or else the foxes will eat them all!’ Rusty replied, with a huge smirk on his face.
Oh no! Grover thought. That’s AWFUL! There was no way he’d agree to do it. He just couldn’t!
‘I can help! I can help!’ Squeak was leaping and running around. It looked like he couldn’t wait to start rounding up the sheep.
‘No, you stay with us,’ said Steve. ‘You’re our brother now, Squeak, and a real farm dog. Besides, you’ll be doing plenty of herding in the future. But this City Dog needs to prove himself if he wants to stay.’
Grover didn’t know what to do. He knew he wouldn’t be able to round up all the sheep by himself. But he didn’t want to tell Annie and David that they’d need to leave the farm. He also didn’t like letting bullies win. And these dogs were bullies. Oh yes, he was certain of that.
Grover took a step forward. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘So, if I get every single sheep into the barn by night-time, I can stay at the farm tonight. Is that right?’
‘Yep, City Dog, that’s right,’ Steve replied.
‘Yeah, and tuck them all in, too! Oooh, and read them a story!’ said Rex.
Steve didn’t look impressed. ‘A story, Rex? Are you kidding?’ he whispered.
Rex slunk backwards.
‘Right, City Dog,’ said Steve. ‘I wouldn’t waste any more time, if I were you. The sun is already on its way down, so I reckon you’ve got an hour left at most. Show us what you’ve got!’
Only an hour? Grover thought, looking at all the sheep spread across the field. He’d counted at least 150 of them while he’d been waiting for the farm dogs to finish their huddle. This is going to be impossible!
CHAPTER 7
While the farm dogs looked on, Grover desperately tried to think of how he could get more than 150 sheep into the barn in an hour. He had no idea what to do, let alone how to tuck them in AND read them a story!
I bet they expect the story to be said in ‘sheep language’, too, Grover thought.
‘You can do it, Grover!’ said Squeak. ‘Try biting the sheep’s tails to get their attention!’ His face suddenly became very serious. ‘But then you must say sorry for hurting them.’
Well, at least Squeak has learnt something today, thought Grover.
Grover slowly made his way over to a group of sheep that were standing together eating grass.
‘Um, hello there. My name is Grover and I’m here to take you back to the barn for the evening,’ he said in his most polite voice.
But the sheep didn’t move. They didn’t even look up.
Grover turned his head and saw the three farm dogs laughing at him. He wanted to give up. But then he saw Squeak looking at him intensely, with an encouraging smile on his face. Squeak wanted him to succeed, and Grover wanted to prove to him that he could do it.
Grover took a deep breath. Then he remembered seeing the farm dogs running around the outside of the flock and jumping over the top of them. Maybe that’s what he needed to do! Maybe that was herding!
Grover took off as fast as he could, sprinting along the outside of a group of sheep. He barked loudly, trying to show the sheep that he was mean and tough. ‘RUFF! RUFF! RUFF!’
But they didn’t move. They didn’t even flinch!
Hmm, okay. Perhaps I need to try climbing on their backs as well, Grover thought.
Gathering his courage, Grover crept up slowly behind a group of five sheep. He steadied himself and then … POUNCED onto the soft white clouds in front of him.
Grover’s feet sank straight into their wool. My word, these sheep are fluffy! Grover thought. He wobbled from side to side, trying to stay upright. But it was no use. As soon as one of the sheep took a step forward, Grover came crashing down onto the grass below.
‘BWAHAHAHA! It looks like you’re going to be out here for a while, City Dog,’ Steve barked.
‘Yeah! It’s getting darker, City Dog – you’d better hurry up!’ Rusty bellowed from behind.
‘What a useless farm dog you are!’ Rex barked.
Squeak was looking at the ground and shaking his head. Even he seemed to have lost faith in Grover.
‘Alright, everyone!’ Farmer John called out as he walked towards the truck. ‘Time to head back for dinner!’
‘I guess we’ll have to leave you out here for the night, City Dog,’ said Steve, as he and Rusty and Rex started to walk away.
Surely they’re not leaving, Grover thought. Surely Farmer John wouldn’t just leave me here!
But Grover could see Farmer John getting into the truck, and the three farm dogs were already sitting in the tray.
‘Everyone’s going inside for dinner, Grover,’ said Squeak, glancing between Grover and the
truck. ‘Are you going to come?’
I can’t go inside without herding the sheep into the barn, Grover thought. Those dogs would never let me hear the end of it!
‘You go on without me, Squeak. I’m just going to finish this job and then I’ll come straight inside,’ Grover replied.
‘Are you sure?’ Squeak asked. ‘Are you sure you know how to herd the sheep?’
Grover could tell by the look on Squeak’s face that he wasn’t sure if Grover could do it. I don’t blame him, Grover thought. But that made him even more determined to show Squeak that he could get all those sheep into the barn.
‘Yes, I’ll be fine, Squeak. You run along and have some dinner. And try to save me some chicken!’ said Grover. He was doing his best to lighten the mood and sound cheery.
‘Okay! See you soon!’ Squeak bolted towards the truck and leapt in, just as it started driving away.
Grover hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that chicken since he first smelled it. He REALLY hoped there would be some left by the time his job was done.
CHAPTER 8
The sun was now quite low in the sky. As the truck drove away, Grover realised that the shadows from the trees were much darker than when they’d arrived at the paddock.
Grover walked towards a group of sheep. Maybe I just need to find a sheep that can speak dog, he wondered. Yeah, that might work!
‘Excuse me,’ said Grover politely. ‘Do you speak dog?’
Again, the sheep didn’t respond.
‘What are you trying to do, honey?’ came a voice from behind him.
Grover spun around to find himself face to face with the fluffiest sheep he’d ever seen.
‘Oh, hi!’ said Grover. ‘My name is Grover. I was wondering if you know how to speak dog?’
‘Oh, honey, we all speak dog,’ the sheep replied. ‘My name is Barbara. And let me tell you, you don’t spend all day out here being barked at by those three stupid farm dogs and not learn their language.’
