by Ellen Miles
Freckles licked Steve’s hand and thumped his tail.
I’m happy to be home at last.
“And he can go visit Fluffy whenever he wants!” Charles said. He couldn’t stop smiling as he helped Steve and Dad clean up, and he was still smiling as he and Dad headed off down the path for the very last time later that day, their backpacks heavy with jars of sweet, golden-brown maple syrup. It was hard to say good-bye to Steve and Freckles, but Charles knew that the spotted pup could not have found a more perfect home.
It might surprise you to know that some puppies are shy, like Freckles. Not all puppies are ready to climb into your lap, be hugged, or even be petted. This might be because they’ve already had a tough life, like Freckles, or because they are naturally shy. The important thing is to give a shy puppy time to get to know you. Be patient, the way Charles was with Freckles. Don’t frighten the puppy by trying to hug him too soon. Let him sniff you, and make sure that every interaction is positive and calm. No yelling, no bouncing around, no grabbing, no sudden movements. Not all dogs like to be hugged, but given time, most puppies and dogs will come to enjoy being petted and loved.
Dear Reader,
I enjoyed writing this book because sugaring time is one of my favorite times of year. I spend many days out in the snowy Vermont woods every March and April, helping my friend Steve and his family and friends to make maple syrup. It’s hard work but, as Charles discovered, it’s also a lot of fun. My dog, Zipper, loves to come along and play with other helpers’ dogs, especially his best friend, June (who belongs to another friend named Steve, who loves to dance). I think it’s one of Zipper’s favorite times of year, too. The best part is coming home with a jar of still-warm golden-brown maple syrup to pour on my oatmeal, drizzle on pancakes, or stir into my tea.
Yours from the Puppy Place,
Ellen Miles
P.S. For another book about a puppy at a cabin in the woods, try Kodiak.
How to find the best name for your new puppy
1.What does your puppy look like? Is he a giant Great Dane (like Moose) or a tiny Yorkie mix (like Bitsy)? Is she white (like Snowball) or black (like Shadow)? Lots of excellent dog names are based on looks.
2.Does your dog remind you of one of your heroes, or a character in a book or movie that you love? Name him or her after that person: Luke, Leia, Nala, Elsa, Harry.
3.What does your dog love to do? If he likes to sniff and search things out, you might call him Hunter. Or if he’s like my dog and loves to run fast, you could call him Zipper!
4.Want to find the most popular names? You can use baby-name or puppy-name websites. Bella, Lucy, Max, and Bear are always popular choices.
5.Just remember, the best names are short—two or three syllables at most—and easy to pronounce. Some trainers believe that dogs respond best to two-syllable names with a vowel sound at the end, like Bingo or Buddy.
10.You have a safe place to let your dog play, like a fenced yard or nearby dog park.
9.Your family is willing to spend the money necessary for food, vet bills for regular checkups, and emergencies.
8.Everyone in the family is willing to help with walking, feeding, and cleaning up after the dog.
7.Nobody in the family is allergic to dogs.
6.Your family enjoys “staycations” at home, or likes to drive to nearby places for vacation.
5.You (and your siblings if you have them) have shown that you can be responsible by doing any assigned chores and/or helping out when asked.
4.You’ve spent time learning about dogs and puppies and how to take care of them and train them.
3.You have researched which breed or mix of breeds would be best for your family.
2.You have helped take care of a friend’s or neighbor’s dog, or have helped out at an animal shelter.
And the top reason your family might be ready for a dog?
1.You all love dogs and can’t wait to have one of your own!
(If you don’t have a dog, you can picture the imaginary dog of your dreams, or take this quiz thinking of your aunt’s dog, your cat, your goldfish, or your friend’s iguana!)
1.Who in your family is your dog’s favorite person?
2.What is your dog’s favorite thing to eat?
3.What is your dog’s favorite activity?
4.Where does your dog especially love to be petted?
5.What is one thing your dog is afraid of?
6.Does your dog snore when he sleeps?
7.What trick is your dog best at?
8.What is your dog’s favorite smell?
9.Does your dog have a best friend, human or dog?
10.Would your dog rather be on the couch, at the beach, or at the dog park?
11.What is the one trick your dog will probably never learn?
12.What is your dog’s favorite toy?
13.What does your dog do when she is excited?
14.Where is your dog’s favorite place to sleep?
15.How does your dog let you know that he loves you?
How to train your dog to sit in seven easy steps:
1.Have a treat in your hand, something especially tasty.
2.Call your dog to you.
3.Hold the treat over his head where he can smell it, and slowly move your hand backward.
4.When he watches the moving treat, his bottom will naturally sink toward the floor. (If it doesn’t, you can gently help to push his butt down.)
5.Say the words “Good dog, sit!” as that happens.
6.Praise him again and give him the treat once he is sitting.
7.Repeat this a few times. Soon he will learn what the word “sit” means.
It’s always best to keep training sessions short (ten minutes or less) and fun. Don’t punish your dog if he doesn’t do what you want, but be sure to always reward him when he does what you want him to do. It’s also smart to end on a good note, just after he has done something right.
Remember, rewards don’t always have to be food. If your dog has a favorite toy or game, those can also be rewards.
Take this quiz about dog body language and find out!
1.Your dog puts her head down and her tail between her legs. You might even see her trembling. Is your dog:
a) happy
b) sad
c) afraid
d) angry
2.A dog sneezes and wags his tail. Is he:
a) allergic
b) getting a cold
c) trying to get attention
d) excited and happy
3.You see a dog at the dog park lie down, roll over, and show her belly when she meets another dog. Is she:
a) asking for a belly rub
b) acting bossy
c) telling the other dog that she is friendly and no threat
d) trying to scratch her back on the ground
4.When you try to hug your grandma’s dog, he pulls away and shows the whites of his eyes. Does he:
a) love hugs
b) dislike hugs
c) have to go to the bathroom
d) think you have bad breath
5.Your dog is in the waiting room at the vet’s. She is pacing around, panting, and yawning. Is she:
a) having a great time
b) bored
c) nervous
d) tired
6.Your dog puts his paws out in front of him and his butt in the air. What is he saying?
a) Let’s play!
b) Please scratch my butt
c) Is it dinnertime?
d) I’m sleepy.
A Puppy Place dog breed quiz
1.I am a gentle giant with soft brown-and-white fur, floppy ears, and a beautiful long, feathery tail. Some folks might say I drool a little. When I’m grown up, I can weigh as much as 120 pounds! I am loyal, friendly, and calm. Long ago, I was used as a rescue dog in the Alps, finding people who were lost in the snow. Now I am most often a family pet—hopefully a family with a nice big house and yard. I am way too huge to be happy living i
n a small apartment.
a) Saint Bernard
b) beagle
c) poodle
2.I have short, shiny, silky black fur, and my brown eyes sparkle because I love everybody. I’m so friendly that I’ll lick your face all over just to prove it! I’m a medium-to-large dog, so I can do a lot of really neat things like being a guide dog, bird dog hunting companion, or hiking buddy. But my favorite thing to do is to play fetch, especially in the water. I LOVE water! I am kind, loyal, energetic, and easygoing, which makes me an ideal pet for many people.
a) Chihuahua
b) Labrador retriever
c) Jack Russell terrier
3.I am mostly white with patches of black and tan. My ears stand halfway up, then flop over, and my tail is short and stubby. I can jump up and down as if my short muscular legs were pogo sticks! I love to chase, pounce, bark, and dig, but I also like to play with toys. I may be small (I usually weigh only about ten pounds), but I am fearless and always ready for action. Since I am not used much for hunting anymore, I need to have a lot of exercise to keep me out of trouble. Then I will be a friendly and a completely devoted family member.
a) Jack Russell terrier
b) Labrador retriever
c) poodle
4.Some people call me the polka-dot dog because my short shiny fur is white with black spots all over. I may even have a black patch over my eye that makes me look like a pirate! In olden days, my job was to run alongside a fire wagon that was pulled by horses, and I still like to hang out at firehouses. I have a long head with soft ears. I have a big, deep bark. I am strong and smart but also very sensitive and calm. Humans are my favorite companions, so don’t leave me alone too long!
a) German shepherd
b) dalmatian
c) springer spaniel
5.I’m a sleek, medium-sized dog with silky black-and-white fur and a long feathered tail. Sometimes I’m known as a “sheepdog” because I can herd animals into a big pack. In fact, I love to herd people, too! I really don’t like to sit around much: I am no couch potato! I am smart and love to work, and would be happiest living on a farm with animals or with people who are as energetic as I am.
a) dachshund
b) poodle
c) border collie
6.I have a thick fluffy coat with mostly black, gray, and white markings, and I love winter! My ears are triangular and erect, and my fluffy tail rolls over my back. I have either brown or light blue eyes; sometimes I may have one of each! In snowy climates, I can work with a team of other dogs to pull sleds over long distances because I have great stamina and wide paws for running on snow. I am friendly and affectionate, but I can be stubborn, too. Since I get bored easily, I like to live with people who are active outdoors.
a) Afghan hound
b) schnauzer
c) husky
7.I am only nine inches tall with a tiny nose, tiny ears, and tiny paws, but I have a big personality. My coat is quite beautiful—silky brown-and-black with just a touch of silver. It is definitely long enough for a pretty bow! I love to play outdoors, but I am well behaved in an apartment. Sometimes I can be stubborn, but don’t let my small size fool you. Not only am I beautiful, but I am brave and make a good watchdog, too!
a) Great Dane
b) Yorkshire terrier
c) French bulldog
8.I am small and muscular with a funny flat face and sweet bulgy brown eyes. I have soft velvety ears and a curled tail. My fur is especially soft and shiny. Some people think I look worried because I have wrinkles all over my forehead, but actually I’m a real clown. I love to cuddle and play, and you can always find me sniffing, snorting, or sneezing about something!
a) Jack Russell terrier
b) pug
c) whippet
9.I am a goofball, I admit it! I’m also very smart and friendly, and more than anything I love to be with people. I have chocolate-brown eyes, floppy ears, silky-soft golden fur, and a beautiful, feathery tail. I can be trained to do whatever you want. I can be a guide dog, a hunting dog, or just the best friend you ever had. Not to boast, but I am one of the most popular breeds of all time.
a) golden retriever
b) pug
c) whippet
10.I’m a large dog with a thick shiny coat in shades of tan, brown, and black. My ears stand straight up, and I have big brown eyes and a long sharp nose. I’m smart, alert, noble, and elegant looking (but not conceited! Really!). Some folks are scared of me, but I’m not mean unless I’m trained to be. In the old days, I tended flocks and carried messages in wartime. Now I’m used as a guide dog and therapy dog, for search and rescue, as a police dog or guard dog, or just as a family companion. I can do all those things—and more!—because I am brave, obedient, and loyal.
a) Weimaraner
b) Saint Bernard
c) German shepherd
1. c 2. d 3. c 4. b 5. c 6. a
1.SAINT BERNARD (like Maggie in Maggie and Max)
2.LABRADOR RETRIEVER (like Shadow)
3.JACK RUSSELL TERRIER (like Rascal)
4.DALMATIAN (like Cody)
5.BORDER COLLIE (like Flash)
6.HUSKY (like Bear)
7.YORKSHIRE TERRIER (like Princess)
8.PUG (like Pugsley)
9.GOLDEN RETRIEVER (like Goldie)
10.GERMAN SHEPHERD (like Scout)
Ellen Miles loves dogs, which is why she has a great time writing the Puppy Place books. And guess what? She loves cats, too! (In fact, her very first pet was a beautiful tortoiseshell cat named Jenny.) That’s why she came up with the Kitty Corner series. Ellen lives in Vermont and loves to be outdoors with her dog, Zipper, every day, walking, biking, skiing, or swimming, depending on the season. She also loves to read, cook, explore her beautiful state, play with dogs, and hang out with friends and family.
Visit Ellen at ellenmiles.net.
“Did I hear the timer?” Ms. Holly cupped a hand to her ear. “I think Team Yummy’s cupcakes might be done. Let’s check!”
Charles jumped up to follow Ms. Holly to the oven. He and the rest of his team—Kendra, Alivia, and Luis—clustered around Ms. Holly as she pulled on an oven mitt, opened the door, slid out the rack, and poked a toothpick into one of the cupcakes. Charles’s mouth watered as a sweet, chocolatey aroma wafted through the air. He could hardly wait for a taste.
Ms. Holly pulled out the toothpick and held it up so everyone could see. “What do we think?” she asked.
“They’re done!” said Alivia, jumping up and down. Charles could tell that she was eager to taste the cupcakes, too. But he also noticed that the toothpick was covered with brown goo.
Charles shook his head. “Not done,” he said, remembering something Ms. Holly had mentioned earlier that day. “The toothpick has to come out clean.”
“Very good, Charles,” said Ms. Holly as she slid the rack back in and shut the oven door. “I see that you’ve been paying attention. We’ll give them just three more minutes.” She beamed at him, and Charles felt himself blushing. He didn’t want to be a teacher’s pet, but he liked it when Ms. Holly told him he’d done a good job.
Cooking lessons were so much fun. Charles was glad he had begged Mom to sign him up as soon as he saw the poster at the Littleton Community Center. He had been totally into cooking for a while now, and he wanted to learn more.
Today was Cupcake Day in cooking class. This was Charles’s third lesson with Ms. Holly. She was the best teacher ever! She made everything so much fun, even when they were just learning about how to carry a knife when you were moving around the kitchen (point it downward, and don’t run), how to clean up as you cooked (always keep your area tidy), or the correct way to wash your hands before you started any cooking at all (sing a whole verse of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” while you scrub with soap and warm water).
Even though Charles was one of the youngest kids in class, Ms. Holly made him feel grown-up. She usually gave a few instructions at the beginning of each lesson, an
d then the teams were on their own. Ms. Holly was always reminding them that it was okay to make mistakes, too. “It didn’t turn out the way you expected?” she’d ask. “Well, what do you think you might do differently next time?”
On the first Saturday, they had learned how to make spaghetti and meatballs and a Caesar salad. On the second Saturday, they had made homemade pizza with all kinds of crazy toppings. (Charles’s team had put grapes and baloney on theirs, which was unexpectedly delicious.) And this week, they were doing cupcakes.
Each week, Ms. Holly divided up the class into three teams, and every time the teams were different. Charles liked everyone in the class, but today’s team was the best. Alivia was really creative, Kendra was funny, and for some reason Luis loved washing pots and pans, which was perfect since Charles definitely did not.
When Ms. Holly had told them that they could make up any flavor combinations they wanted for their cupcakes, Kendra was the one who’d come up with the perfect idea. “Chocolate cupcakes with pink peppermint frosting,” she’d said.
“And we could decorate the top with crushed-up peppermint candy,” Charles had added. He’d seen something like that on the baking show he and Dad had been watching lately.
The best part of cooking class was the end when they got to eat everything they’d made—but not until after Ms. Holly had tasted all their creations and declared one team the winner for the day. So far, Charles had not been on a winning team, but he had a feeling that today might be it. He watched through the oven window, counting the seconds until it was time to check the cupcakes again.
“How’s Buddy?” Ms. Holly asked as they waited. “He’s great!” said Charles. Ms. Holly always asked about Buddy, Charles’s sweet brown puppy. She’d learned about him on the first day of class when they had played a “getting to know you” game. Charles had told everyone how his family fostered puppies, taking care of dogs who needed their help just until they could find each one the perfect forever home. It was never easy to give up the puppies when the time came, and with Buddy it had been pretty much impossible. The whole family had fallen in love with him. Buddy, Charles had told the class, was the only puppy the Petersons had ever decided to keep.
