Read Online Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe - Free Book Online Page B

shuddering. I can’t stop racing in circles. It’s worse than a nightmare. Finally, I get ahold of myself. There must be something I can do.
    I rush over to The Gate. “Hello!” I bark. “I’m in a boring place, and I can’t get out!”
    I bark and bark, but nobody is coming. I pause and listen. Are those the sounds of my humans shuffling around downstairs?
    I must keep at it. I bark and bark some more. When I stop to listen again, my tail starts going nuts. Footsteps are coming up the stairs. I knew my plan would work!
    I leap up, trying to peer over The Gate. Those footsteps are getting closer, and then . . . Hattie appears. “Hooray! Hooray!” I bark, offering my head for the rub. But where is it?
    I fall back down. Hattie has her arms folded, her face a terrible mixture of irritation and disappointment. Why is she glaring at me like that?
    She definitely could use her adorable dog’s help to get rid of that frown. I jump and jump, trying desperately to lick her hand. “I have a great idea, Hattie,” I bark, cocking my head in that cute way she likes. “Let’s go to the Dog Park and have some fun!”
    She leans away. “Stop it,” she says in a sharp voice.
    I collapse in a heap of confusion. What is happening to My Hattie? My heart’s so heavy, I might sink right through the floor.
    Hattie talks in a serious and scolding voice. She does not sound anything like My Hattie. She sounds a little bit like Food Lady does when I climb on the couch.
    Hattie speaks and speaks, using lots of Human words I don’t know. They are pelting me like rocks. I can’t even look at her. All I can do is cover my eyes and sulk.

    When Hattie leaves, I’m alone for a Long, Long Time. But then, there’s good news—Hattie is back! She removes The Gate and scoops me into her arms. Yippee! She’s My Hattie again. I lick her chin and her neck and her ear.
    But my hopes quickly crash when we get outside. She sets me down and strides right over to that giant tree. She must be hibernating in the squirrel house, because after I’ve sniffed every inch of the Dog Park and peed on every shrub, she’s still up there.
    Eventually, there’s nothing to do but sprawl out in the grass and listen to the fluty, chirpy birds and buzzing bees. And wait for Hattie. It’s the Loneliest Dog Park Ever.
    I’m half snoozing when my ears perk in annoyance.
    â€œChipper, chatter, squawk!”
    My fur prickles. It’s one of those nasty squirrels. This one is even bigger than the two from last time!
    He’s scampering across the tippy-top of the fence, along the far side of the Dog Park. Doesn’t he realize there’s a ferocious dog guarding the place?
    He’s obviously not very smart. Because every time he reaches the end of the fence, he pivots and darts back the other way. But then again, who ever said squirrels were smart?
    As he scurries along, his hissing grates in my ears. His twitching is almost too revolting to watch.
    But I can’t run away from my duty. I must defend my territory. I’m a professional.
    I spring up and trot closer. But not too close. “Get out of here, you disgusting rodent!” I bark. “A Dog Park is no place for squirrels!”
    He is not acting the least bit intimidated. He stops mid-scamper and bares his squirrel-ish fangs right at me.
“Chipper, chatter, squawk!”
he screeches. The sound is pure evil.
    I’m a few paces away but still within striking distance. “I said, ‘Go away!’” I bark, with more urgency this time.
    â€œChipper, chatter, squawk!”
he screeches again, as if he even has a chance against me. Digging his vicious claws into the top of the fence, he thrusts his hideous face in my direction. He’s going to fling himself right at me!
    I back up a little, every hair on my neck trembling. “You’re not welcome here, you cowardly