by Claire Garth
Published by Piccolo Nero, an imprint of Schwartz Publishing Pty Ltd
Level 1, 220 Drummond Street
Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
[email protected]
www.nerobooks.com
Copyright © Claire Garth 2016
Claire Garth asserts her right to be known as the author of this work.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior consent of the publishers.
National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry:
Garth, Claire, author.
Grover’s new friends / Claire Garth; illustrated by Johannes Leak.
9781863958318 (paperback)
9781925435092 (ebook)
Garth, Claire. Grover McBane, rescue dog.
For children.
Rescue dogs—Juvenile fiction.
Dogs—Juvenile fiction.
Children’s stories.
Leak, Johannes, illustrator.
A823.4
Cover and text design by Peter Long Illustrations by Johannes Leak
This book is dedicated to every rescue dog, and every human, who has been brave enough to start over …
And to my mum and dad, who always encouraged me to go on new adventures, especially this one.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Meet grover McBANE and his Friends…
Grover
Hamish
Mr Tibbles
Boris
Peanut
CHAPTER 1
In the corner of a large bedroom in a house on Cavendish Lane, Grover McBane lay sleeping in his bed. He was curled up so tightly that he looked like a furry black-and-white ball. A cool morning breeze rustled the curtains beside him. They wafted gently across Grover’s face and then back against the big French doors.
Grover’s nose wiggled as the soft fabric tickled his nostrils.
Grover pawed at his nose but didn’t open his eyes. He was still sleepy.
It’s too early to get up, he thought. And I was having the BEST dream. Maybe if I doze off again I’ll be able to catch those cats!
Grover tried his best to ignore the tickles, but it was no use.
AAHHHH-CHOOOOOOO!!
Grover jumped up, now wide awake.
Oh no! he sighed. Now I’ll never catch those dream cats.
Grover peered up at the big bed where his owners, Annie and David, were sleeping.
Before Grover met Annie and David, he had never slept on a bed. His first owner had not even let him sleep inside. Having his very own bed was Grover’s favourite thing about being part of a family. Each night, when Annie and David tucked Grover in, he thought how lucky he was. Of all the dogs in the world, they had chosen HIM. Grover’s life had never been better.
Grover walked around to David’s side of the bed and gently rested his head beside David’s arm. David didn’t move.
With a little pad, pad, pad of his paws on the floorboards, Grover walked around the bed to Annie’s side.
Grover rested his head beside her. She didn’t move either.
Grover walked back to the end of the bed. Ever so slowly, he placed one paw, then the other, on the big bed. Then, with a spring, he launched his whole body up onto the bed. He landed with a thump.
‘Well, good morning, Grover!’ said Annie.
Grover did a little commando crawl forward on his tummy and snuggled into the small space between Annie and David. It was time for his morning belly rub.
‘Haven’t you ever heard of personal space, Grover?’ David laughed.
‘Grover McBane,’ said Annie, trying to sound stern, ‘you are not supposed to be on the bed.’ She leant forward so that her face was right in front of Grover’s nose.
Grover planted a big LICK on Annie’s cheek and nestled deeper into the covers.
‘Aww, thanks for that, Grover! But don’t get too comfy there. Off the bed, you cheeky thing!’
Annie was giggling, so Grover didn’t think she was really serious. He knew he had at least two more chances before she REALLY meant it.
David jumped out of bed. ‘Come on, boy! How about a trip to the park before breakfast?’
The PARK! Grover could barely breathe. He was so excited he thought he might burst.
Before he’d met Annie and David, Grover had never been to a park. Now it was his favourite place. The park was a doggie paradise – soft grass, lots of trees to sniff, other dogs to play with and lots of room to run.
Grover bounded down the stairs to the front door and waited for Annie and David to get ready. When they came downstairs, he jumped up and down with excitement.
‘Grover, you need to stand still so I can attach your lead. We do this every day!’ said Annie, laughing.
Grover just wagged his tail and bounced some more. His mind was racing. I wonder who will be at the park this morning? he thought. Maybe I’ll see Boris again.
Boris was one of Grover’s new friends. They had met at the park several times and were getting to know each other. Grover hoped he would make more friends soon.
‘Sit, Grover,’ said Annie firmly.
Grover had learnt the word ‘sit’ very quickly. It seemed to make Annie and David happy when he sat down as soon as they said it. Grover liked to make them happy. He sat down straight away and stared up at Annie.
Annie clipped on Grover’s lead, and David opened the front door.
Grover stepped out into the garden. He took a deep breath of morning air. Grover loved the garden. It smelled amazing. David liked gardening, and Grover often sat with him among the plants in the front yard. Grover had buried one of his very best treats near the big tree. Luckily, David hadn’t seen that!
The most exciting thing about the garden was that sometimes Grover caught the smell of CAT near the big tree. So far, Grover hadn’t actually seen a cat. But one time, he thought he’d seen a furry grey shape on the fence …
Grover headed out the front door and down the steps. Today was going to be a great day!
CHAPTER 2
As Grover walked to the park with Annie and David, he sniffed all the wonderful smells in Cavendish Lane. Tall, pretty houses continued all the way down the block, and there were lots of trees, so Grover had a lot of sniffing to do. As they neared the park, his nose went into overdrive. There were so many smells!
The park was not far away. It was on a corner and was surrounded by a big green picket fence. There were tall trees around the edges of the park, and in the middle there was a playground with a slide, swings and a little basketball court.
Once they had passed through the park gates, Annie asked Grover to sit again. He sat immediately and looked up at Annie and David.
‘Come on, Grover,’ David called as he ran towards the other side of the park. ‘Free!’
FREE! That was the word Grover had been waiting for. He started running after David.
The wind through Grover’s fur felt so good. David ran back and forth across the park, and Grover ran after him.
David took a ball out of his pocket and threw it far across the park. Grover ran so fast that he ran ahead of the ball before he caught it.
After playing fetch for a while, Grover decided to trick Annie and David by playing hide and seek. This was Grover’s favourite game! He loved to hide behind a tree and then dart out to grab a passing ball.
Behind a tall tree, Grover lay down for a moment to catch his breath.
‘Oh, please don’t tell me you’re too tired to play,’ said a small voice.
Grover looked up to see a scruffy little black dog with a tennis ball in his mouth.
‘Hey! That’s my ball!’ said Grover.
The scruffy black dog wagged his tail. ‘Oh, is it? Great! You can have it back if you can catch me!’
‘Oh no,’ said Grover. ‘I’ve been running for ages and I’m tired. I’m Grover, by the way.’
‘I’m Hamish!’ said the black dog, wagging his scruffy tail. ‘And I don’t think you’re REALLY too tired to play.’
Hamish darted off across the park with Grover’s ball still in his mouth.
I can’t leave without my ball, thought Grover.
He jumped up and started running after Hamish. For a little dog, Hamish was very quick. He bounded like a little black rabbit over logs and rocks in the park. His scruffy black coat shone in the sunshine.
Finally, Hamish came to a stop and Grover collapsed beside him.
‘Ha-mish,’ Grover panted, ‘I … can’t … run … anymoooooore.’
‘Aww, c’mon, Grover, just one more run. Pleeeaase?’ Hamish pleaded. He nudged Grover with his wet black nose. He still had the tennis ball in his mouth.
Grover wondered what Hamish ate for breakfast. He sure had a lot of energy!
‘Don’t you want to play with any of the other dogs?’ Grover asked.
‘Nah, they just want to wrestle,’ Hamish replied. ‘And I need to play with a ball. I need to, Grover, I NEED TO!’
‘I love chasing balls too, but don’t your legs ever get tired, Hamish?’
‘Nope,’ chirped Hamish. ‘I could play all day. Chasey, cricket, soccer, football … Do you like football, Grover? Do you have a football? I don’t have a football here, but I’ve got ten at home! I can bring one tomorrow. Or later today. What are you doing later, Grover? Will you come back and play with me, Grover? Hey, Grover, are you listening?’
‘For a small dog, you are quite loud,’ bellowed a calm, deep voice.
It was Boris, the German shepherd. He looked huge beside tiny Hamish.
‘I’m sorry, Officer. I’ll speak more quietly, Officer,’ Hamish whispered. He moved closer to Grover.
Boris let out a long, deep laugh. ‘Who told you to call me Officer, young pup?’ he asked, peering down at Hamish.
‘Um, the other dogs over there told me that you’re a police dog,’ said Hamish, looking a little scared. ‘So I thought that’s what I was supposed to call you. I’m sorry, Officer – I mean, Big Dog – I mean, Boris Dog.’ Hamish hung his head.
‘Yes, I was a police dog, young pup. They called me K9 Officer Boris,’ Boris explained, sitting up very straight and puffing out his chest with pride. ‘But I’m retired now, so there’s no need to call me Officer anymore … unless you want to, of course.’
Hamish looked a little more cheerful. ‘Was it scary being a police dog, Officer Boris?’ he asked.
‘Sometimes, but it was my duty, young pup,’ Boris replied.
‘Were there lots of bad guys?’ asked Hamish, looking worried.
Grover looked at Boris. He wondered what he would say. Hamish looked really scared.
‘Yes, young pup,’ said Boris, leaning down so that he and Hamish were eye to eye, ‘there were some bad guys. But there are always more good guys in the world than bad guys. Lots more. There is always more good than bad. Can you remember that?’ Boris nudged Hamish’s chin upwards to the sky.
Hamish grinned. ‘Yes, Officer Boris, sir. Do you think maybe one day I can be a police dog too?’
‘You can be anything you want to be, my boy. Anything at all,’ Boris replied, as he winked at Grover.
‘Cool! But, first I’ll play cricket for Australia! Maybe I’ll even be the captain, And then maybe I’ll be a football player. But after that I’ll be a police dog.’
Hamish sat down, grinning at his plan for his life.
Grover laughed. Hamish sure had big plans for a little dog!
‘GROVER, it’s home time!’ Annie called.
‘Got to go, guys! Great to meet you, Hamish,’ said Grover.
‘The name’s Mini Special Officer K9 Captain Hamish, actually,’ Hamish announced, puffing out his chest like Boris had earlier.
‘Oh my word,’ Boris sighed, shaking his head.
‘Well, you said he could be anything he wanted to be, Boris!’ said Grover.
Hamish was jumping up and down at Boris’s feet. ‘Officer Boris, sir, can we play police dog cricket? Can we? Can we?’
‘Young pup, we need to talk,’ said Boris. He put one paw on Hamish’s head to stop him from jumping anymore.
Good luck, Boris! thought Grover as he trotted over to Annie and David. You’ll need it!
CHAPTER 3
‘Time to go home, Grover,’ said David.
Home. Grover liked that word. Annie and David’s house in Cavendish Lane was the first real home Grover had ever had. Although he had only been living with Annie and David for two weeks, he already felt like part of the family. It was a good feeling.
As they got nearer home, Grover smelled a very particular smell. CAT!
Maybe this time I’ll catch him! thought Grover. He pulled on his lead, walking faster and faster towards home.
Sure enough, there was a cat on the front porch.
‘Good morning, Dog,’ called the cat, without even turning around. ‘Sleep well, did we?’
‘RUUUUUFFFF!’ barked Grover in his most frightening voice.
‘Grover, no!’ said Annie in a stern voice, tugging on his lead. ‘We do not bark at cats!’
Oh yes we do, Grover thought. And he let out the scariest bark he could muster. ‘RUUUUUUFFFFFF!’
‘Yes, yes, yes, I see that you can bark. Congratulations,’ said the cat. He didn’t look concerned. ‘Do you plan on being an annoyance around here for long, Dog?’
‘I’m going to be here forever,’ Grover said. ‘And hey, aren’t you scared of me? Cats are always scared of me.’
The cat looked Grover up and down. It was fluffy and grey with a cottony white chest. It had big green eyes and a long tail with a white tip.
Annie was looking for her keys, so Grover took the opportunity to creep closer and closer to the cat.
‘What’s your name?’ Grover asked.
‘I am Mr Tibbles,’ replied the cat. ‘And don’t think I can’t see you creeping closer, Dog.’
Grover stopped still.
‘I’m Grover,’ he said. ‘Do you live near here? I’ve smelled you near the big tree.’
Mr Tibbles sniffed. ‘Officially, I live next door, but all of Cavendish Lane is my territory. I heard there was a new dog in the street, so I thought I should keep an eye on you. I was hoping you’d move on quickly … but you haven’t, so I’m here to introduce myself.’
‘Well, I’m here to stay. I’ve got a family now!’ said Grover proudly.
‘Another dog in my area,’ Mr Tibbles sighed. ‘I see. Very well, Dog. Welcome to the neighbourhood. There are a few things you need to know. From this corner all the way down to the big blue house at the end of the street is MY territory. Don’t let anyone tell you any differently.’
Grover peered down the street to the big blue house on the corner. It was a long way away.
Annie had finally got the door open. ‘C’mon, Grover!’ she called.
Grover moved to follow Annie through the door. But first he had some final words for Mr Tibbles. ‘I’m Grover McBane of Cavendish Lane now,’ he said, puffing out his chest and holding his head up proudly. ‘I guess you’ll have to get used to sharing your territory.’
Mr Tibbles did not look happy.
Inside, Grover had a quick breakfast of delicious biscuits, topped with chicken, and then Annie appeared with his lead.
‘No rest for you today, young man,’ she said. ‘Come on! We’ve got to get to work. I’ve just
heard that a very special, very small pup called Peanut has arrived at the animal shelter. He could use a friend like you.’
Annie worked at the shelter almost every day, and Grover went along with her. The animal shelter helped lost animals find new homes. Annie had given Grover a very important job. As the shelter’s Office Dog, Grover welcomed new animals and helped them to feel safe. Grover knew how it felt to be lost and scared – he had once been a new dog himself. So Annie had said he would do a good job.
Grover hoped so – he didn’t want to let Annie down!
Grover let Annie clip his lead on.
I wonder what this new puppy will be like? he thought.
CHAPTER 4
Grover trotted down the front steps and waited at the front gate.
Mr Tibbles was sitting under a bush in the front garden.
‘Leaving already, Dog?’ he called. ‘What great news!’
‘You wish, Mr Tibbles! I’m going to work at the animal shelter. I have a very important job to do.’
Mr Tibbles swished his tail.
‘But I’ll be back tonight,’ said Grover, ‘and you had better not be here when I get home. Or else!’ He did his best to sound firm.
‘Or else what?’ Mr Tibbles mocked. ‘Will you bark at me with your big scary bark? MWAHAHAHAHAHA!’
Grover couldn’t believe it. This cat was not scared of him at all. Not even a little bit!
Annie and Grover walked down the street to Annie’s car. It was blue and shiny and Grover loved sticking his head out of the window. He loved feeling the wind in his fur and taking in all the amazing smells.
The windows in the car went up and down – and one special window always seemed to go down whenever Grover wanted it to. It was great!
When Grover saw the car, he pulled on the lead to get to it faster.
‘Whoa, boy,’ said Annie. ‘Slow down there, Grover!’
But Grover couldn’t slow down. He knew he wasn’t supposed to pull on the lead, but he just LOVED the car.
Annie opened the back door of the car for Grover. Grover bounded onto the back seat and headed straight across to his favourite window.
