Louie

by Ellen Miles

  Got any more of those biscuits?

  Liam’s mom pulled another big biscuit out of a paper bag and gave it to Louie. He thumped his tail again as he began to crunch and munch.

  As soon as they finished their snacks, the boys began to make calls. Charles called Dr. Gibson, the vet they always went to with foster puppies who needed medical attention.

  “Charles,” she said. “Great to hear from you. Do you have a new puppy?”

  “Yup,” said Charles. “He’s a big one, too. Lizzie says he’s a Landseer.”

  Dr. Gibson laughed. “I bet he’s sweet as pie, as well as being huge,” she said. “I love Newfoundlands.”

  “Do you have any Landseer patients?” Charles asked. He explained about how they had found Louie.

  Dr. Gibson gasped. “That’s awful,” she said. “Just when I think I’ve heard it all. What if nobody had noticed that crate in the parking lot?”

  Charles felt his stomach flip over. He hadn’t really thought about that. It sure was lucky that Liam’s mom had run by when she had.

  “Anyway,” said Dr. Gibson, “I only have one Landseer as a patient, and he’s eight years old. Not a puppy. But I’ll put the word out to other vets in the area, and we’ll see what we can find out.”

  Charles thanked her and hung up. Next, they called Ms. Dobbins at Caring Paws, who had already seen his mom’s article in the newspaper. “I’m on the case,” she said. “I hope we find those people. They need to understand how wrong it was to do what they did.”

  Finally, Charles called the local police. He talked to Tim Oliver, who ran the K-9 program, which trained dogs to work with police partners. Charles had met Tim when his family fostered Champ, a brave and beautiful German shepherd. “We’ll keep an eye out for that white van,” Chief promised. “But if you really want to do some detective work, I’d suggest you go back to that park and look for clues. Interview every neighbor up and down the street in case they saw something suspicious. You might be surprised what you can find out.”

  All the boys liked the idea of going to the park. “We’ll be like real detectives,” said Tyler. “I’ll bring my magnifying glass.”

  “I’ll bring a notebook,” said Liam.

  “And I’ll bring Louie,” said Charles. “Who knows? Maybe that big puppy nose of his will sniff out some clues.”

  Things were still pretty quiet when Charles’s dad took the boys down to Loon Lake Park after school the next day. “Opening day is this weekend,” said Charles, pointing to a sign at the park’s welcome booth. “Free ice cream and free canoe rentals all day,” he read. “Cool! We should have another picnic down here on Saturday.”

  “Hunter and me always have a contest to see which of us goes swimming first every spring,” said Tyler. “Last year he won. He jumped in on April Fools’ Day! This year I’m going to win.”

  “I don’t know,” said Liam. “That water still looks pretty cold to me.” He rubbed his arms. “Brrr.”

  “Louie doesn’t seem to mind,” said Charles. “Look at him go.”

  Louie had pulled the leash out of Charles’s hand, dashed right past the welcome booth, and charged into the shallow water near the canoe racks, chasing some geese who had been floating on the choppy, gray waves. Now he swam in big circles, happily splashing away as the geese honked and flapped their wings at him.

  “Lizzie was right about his breed,” said Dad. “He is an amazing swimmer!”

  “Come on, Louie,” said Charles. “Leave the geese alone, now.” He whistled and waved. “Louie!”

  Finally, the dog turned and swam back toward shore with powerful, sure strokes. When he emerged from the water, he raced up and down the beach, stopped to shake off, then lay down and rolled happily in the sand. Charles groaned. “So much for his bath,” he said. “Come on, Louie, we have to look for clues.” He went over and clipped the big dog’s leash onto his collar. “Ready?”

  Louie grinned a doggy grin up at him and shook off again, spraying all the boys with water and gritty sand.

  I’m always ready for an adventure!

  “Ugh!” said Tyler.

  Liam just laughed.

  “Louie,” groaned Charles, wiping at his pants.

  “You were the one who wanted to foster a big sloppy dog again,” his dad reminded him with a smile.

  “I know, I know,” said Charles. “And he’s worth it.” He tousled Louie’s wet ears. “Aren’t you, big guy?”

  “Let’s go look for clues.” Tyler pulled a huge magnifying glass out of his pocket and put it up to his face. Charles and Liam laughed at the giant eye staring back at them.

  “Maybe we should head back to the upper parking lot, where we first found Louie,” Dad suggested. “I don’t see any clues down here.”

  Louie led the way as they hiked across the little bridge and up the path through the woods. As they came out into the parking lot, he stopped still and stared.

  “What is it, Louie?” Charles asked. He peered down to the end of the parking lot. A man and a woman stood near the spot where Louie’s crate had been.

  Louie leaned against Charles’s knee. Then he took a few paces forward and tugged at the leash, staring at the people. Then he slunk back again to Charles.

  “Louie?” Charles asked. “What’s the matter?”

  Then the woman turned around and spotted them. “Harley!” she shouted. She knelt and opened her arms.

  The man turned, too. “What?” he said. “It’s really him! Come here, boy!”

  Louie didn’t seem to know what to do. He looked up at Charles.

  They’re my people. But — I’m scared. And confused.

  Charles’s dad strode toward the couple. “Hello,” he said. “I’m Paul Peterson. And you are?”

  “We are that dog’s owners,” said the man, pointing to Louie. “I’m Steven, and this is Sarah.”

  “You were his owners,” Dad corrected. “If I’m not wrong, you abandoned him here.” He looked back at Charles and Louie.

  “We didn’t mean to,” blurted Sarah. She looked as if she’d been crying. “I mean, we did leave him here, but then we realized that it was the wrong way to do it. We came back — but he was already gone.”

  “We just couldn’t keep him,” said Steven. “We lost our lease at our apartment just after I lost my job. We’ve basically been living out of our van. We were — well, we were staying here in the park, even though it’s not open yet.”

  “It’s been so stressful,” said Sarah. “Harley picked up on it. He’d try to run away or hide under the van every time we had an argument. We thought he’d be better off in a real home. We were going to call the animal shelter to let them know where we’d left him — but then he wasn’t here anymore. We didn’t know what to do.”

  “And now you’re back at the scene of the crime!” announced Tyler, looking at them through his magnifying glass. “Classic. That’s what all the criminals do. They can’t stay away.”

  “We’re not criminals!” said Sarah.

  “We came back because we thought maybe he’d escaped from the crate and was looking for us,” said Steven. “We wanted to make sure he was okay.”

  Louie was still leaning against Charles’s leg. Charles scratched the top of the big puppy’s head. “He didn’t escape,” he said. “We rescued him. My family is fostering him until we can find him a good home.”

  Sarah’s eyes brimmed with tears. “We miss you so much, Harley,” she said. She held out her hand. Finally, Louie ran to her. She buried her face in his fur. Steven knelt down to hug the dog, too.

  Charles looked at his dad. Now what? Did they have to give Louie back to the people who had abandoned him?

  On Saturday, opening day at Loon Lake Park, Charles and his family — and the whole Cub Scout den and their families — got together for another picnic. Charles and his dad told everyone what had happened with Sarah and Steven.

  “I still can’t forgive them,” said Lizzie for the fortieth time since she’d heard
about it. “How could they leave a dog alone like that?”

  “They just weren’t thinking straight,” said Dad. “Steven and Sarah are going through a very rough time right now. They were really sad about having to give up their dog — but now they understand that there are better ways to do that. They’re hoping to get another dog once they are back on their feet, and I’m sure they would never make the same mistake again.”

  “Anyway, Louie is safe with us now,” said Charles. “After we explained about how we foster dogs, Sarah and Steven were happy to know that we’re going to find him a good home. They even said it’s okay to keep calling him Louie if we can’t get used to Harley. Probably whoever adopts him will change his name, anyway.” He passed his sister a Popsicle he had just gotten from the ice cream stand. “Come on, forget about all that. Let’s have some fun — like Louie!”

  He pointed to the beach, where Louie and Buddy were wading in the shallow water, splashing through the tiny waves as they chased the ball Mom was tossing for them. Charles was so glad that dogs were allowed at Loon Lake.

  “I have to give you guys credit,” said Lizzie. “I think Louie’s ready for a new home, with all the work you’ve done with him. Your den project is a success.” She held up a hand.

  Charles returned Lizzie’s high five. “It’s easy when you’re working with a dog like Louie. He’s such a good boy.”

  “A real sweetheart,” agreed his dad.

  There were other families at the lake that day, too, and other dogs — Charles spotted a husky and a Pomeranian, two breeds he knew from fostering experience. People were throwing Frisbees and grilling hot dogs. Kids were racing around the playground, swinging on the swings and sliding down the slide. The kayaks and canoes were off their racks and floating in the water. Each one was tethered by a rope to the long dock, ready for boaters to take out. Loon Lake Park was all set for summer — but it wasn’t exactly summer yet. The water was still cold. So far there were no kids jumping off the dock, or showing off their special dives, or floating on blow-up rafts.

  Still, Tyler and Hunter had put on their swim trunks and raced down to the water. Seconds later, they raced back to the picnic tables. “It’s freezing!” said Tyler.

  “So cold!” said Hunter. “I could only put one toe in. I don’t know how Louie and Buddy can take it.” He reached for his sweatshirt and pants and pulled his clothes on over his suit.

  “I told you it was too early for swimming.” Mrs. Pagano laughed. “It won’t be warm enough for a few weeks.”

  “Can we go out in a canoe?” Tyler asked.

  Their parents looked at each other, then their mom nodded. “Go pick one out, and we’ll take it for a paddle after we eat.”

  “Can we go, too?” Liam asked his mom.

  “Sure,” said Mrs. Poole. “Or maybe we’ll take one of those double kayaks.”

  Soon all the scouts were down by the dock, looking over the boats.

  “I learned how to steer a canoe when I was at camp last summer,” said Sammy. “The steerer sits in the back. You use the paddle in a special way to make the canoe go to the left or right.”

  “Stern,” said Liam.

  “What?” asked Sammy.

  “The back is called the stern,” Liam said. “And left and right are port and starboard.” He grinned. “I went to camp, too. But I never got that good at steering. I like to sit up front — in the bow — and paddle.”

  “Maybe we should do a canoe trip someday,” said Charles. “We could bring all our camping stuff and go up a river, like Lewis and Clark.” He had once done a project on the explorers, and he’d never forgotten their amazing adventures.

  Liam pointed to a sleek red kayak with two seats. “I want to learn how to paddle one of those,” he said. “I bet you can go really fast.”

  Hunter and Tyler had walked down to the end of the dock and climbed into one of the big green canoes.

  “Hey,” said Charles. “You’re not supposed to go out in those without a life jacket on.”

  “We’re not going anywhere,” said Tyler. “We don’t even have paddles. We’re just checking it out. Come on in! It’s cool.”

  Liam and Sammy got into the canoe, stepping in carefully to keep it from tipping. Charles stood on the dock, not so sure he wanted to get in. The canoe was already beginning to look a little low in the water with four boys in it.

  Tyler started to shift his weight from side to side, and the canoe tilted wildly. “Woo-hoo!” cried Tyler.

  “Cut it out!” said Sammy.

  “Hey, stop it,” said Liam, grabbing on to the sides of the canoe.

  Hunter started throwing his weight in the opposite direction. Water swished up around the canoe.

  “Boys!” Charles heard Hunter and Tyler’s mom shout as she ran down from the picnic tables. “Get out of that boat right now.”

  At that moment, the canoe flipped over, and all four boys fell into the water with a huge splash.

  Hunter and Tyler bobbed right up with big grins on their faces. “I won!” said Hunter.

  “No, I did!” said Tyler.

  Sammy splashed his way toward the dock, flipping his hair out of his eyes. “Phew, that’s cold!” he said as he hauled himself out.

  “Where’s Liam?” asked Mrs. Pagano. “Liam!”

  Just then, Charles saw Liam’s head break the surface of the water. “Can’t swim!” he gasped, before he sank down again.

  Charles didn’t even stop to think. He jumped off the dock toward Liam. He knew that the water was deep only at the very end of the dock — if he could pull Liam in just a few feet, the water wouldn’t be over his head.

  The water was so cold it took Charles’s breath away. But there was no time to get used to it. He swam as hard as he could toward Liam.

  As he got closer, Liam popped out of the water again, yelling and flailing his arms. “Help!” he said. “Can’t swim!”

  Charles wasn’t sure what to do. How could he grab Liam without getting bashed?

  He heard a big splash behind him. A moment later, Louie passed him, swimming with powerful strokes straight for Liam. The dog ignored the flailing arms and grabbed Liam’s shirt in his jaws. Then he powered back toward shore, towing the boy along until Liam’s feet touched the bottom.

  It all happened in a few seconds. By now, all the adults were standing at the shore. Liam’s mother ran to pick him up out of the shallows as he waded onto the sand. “Oh, sweetie,” she said as she held him close. Charles, wading in behind Liam, saw tears streaming down her face. “Are you okay?”

  He coughed. “I’m fine,” he said.

  Sammy’s mom ran to Sammy with a towel and wrapped him up in it.

  “What were you thinking?” the twins’ father asked them. “I’ve told you never to get into a boat without life jackets on.”

  Hunter hung his head. “Sorry,” he said. “We were just fooling around.”

  “Sorry, Liam,” said Tyler. “I didn’t know you couldn’t swim.”

  “Even if he could,” said their mom, “that’s not the point. No more boats for you two. Not today, maybe not all summer.” She shook her head. “I’m very disappointed in you boys.” Then she knelt down and opened her arms. “And I’m also very glad you’re safe,” she said. The twins ran to her for a hug, and their father joined in, too.

  Charles’s mom hugged him and rubbed her hands up and down his arms. “You must be freezing,” she said. “Let’s go get you a towel.”

  “That was some brave thing you did there, chief,” said Charles’s dad.

  Charles ducked his head. “I didn’t do anything,” he said. “Louie’s the one who saved Liam.”

  “Louie!” Liam wasn’t coughing anymore. His voice was loud and clear. They all turned to see Louie rolling on the grass, his feet dancing in the air. The big pup jumped up and shook himself off, then stood wagging his tail, a big doggy grin on his face.

  That’s my name — or at least I guess it is now!

  “Louie!�
�� all the boys yelled as they raced over to hug him.

  Louie wasn’t shy now. This time, he just stood and wagged and grinned while the boys climbed all over him.

  “You’re a hero, Louie,” said Tyler.

  “Definitely not a wimp,” said Hunter.

  Charles laughed. Finally, the twins had found something they agreed on. “You did it,” he said to the big puppy as he kissed Louie’s nose.

  “Louie, Louie, Louie!” chanted Sammy.

  Liam just threw his arms around Louie’s neck and pressed his face into the big dog’s wet fur.

  “Well, I guess this settles it,” said Mrs. Poole as they all walked back to the picnic tables. “I’ve been talking to my landlord about buying the house we’re renting, and he’s agreed. Do you know what that means, Liam?” She smiled down at him.

  He shook his head. “That we won’t have to move again anytime soon?” he asked.

  “Well, yes,” said his mom. “But something else, too. If we own our house instead of renting it, we can have a dog if we want.”

  Liam stared at her. “A dog?” he asked.

  “Well, not just any dog,” said Mrs. Poole. “I’ve been thinking maybe we should adopt Louie — and then what happened today made me sure that we should.”

  All the boys cheered. “Louie, Louie, Louie!” chanted Tyler and Hunter.

  Charles grinned. He knew Louie would be really happy living with Liam and his mom. “And he can still be our Cub Scout project, too,” he said. “If you ever want help with training or taking care of him, I mean. We all love Louie.”

  “Agreed,” said Mrs. Pagano. “This is one dog I will be honored to allow in my house — anytime.”

  “We’d love to have him, too,” said Sammy’s dad. “The big lug is welcome over at our place.”

  “And ours, of course,” said Charles’s mom.

  All five boys ran over to hug Louie. “Welcome to the den,” said Charles. Louie wagged his tail and wriggled all over with happiness as he tried to lick every face at once. The big puppy had found not just one perfect home, but four!