Read Online The Good Dog by Avi - Free Book Online Page B

hear him that this territory was his. Even as he howled, he once more remembered Lupin’s cry and wished his was as strong.
    Redburn did not flinch. He lifted his head and returned a howl as loud as McKinley’s. He was not only challenging McKinley, he was calling on all the dogs in the pack to witness it.
    With a low growl, McKinley began to move slowly toward Redburn.
    â€œYou’re finished, McKinley,” the setter barked without giving way. “No one wants you as headdog anymore. Step aside and submit, or we can fight it out right now.”
    McKinley took a deep breath. Might as well fight now, he thought. “I know what I want,” he growled, and moved forward again.
    â€œI’m ready,” Redburn returned with a snarl.
    Just then McKinley saw Aspen burst through the bushes. As soon as she took in what was happening, her tail drooped. She began to bark rapidly.
    â€œShut up!” Redburn snapped at her. “This is between McKinley and me. We don’t need anyone else.”
    Aspen looked toward McKinley. He gave a curt nod. She closed her mouth.
    The next moment Boots and Jaws came galloping down the way, barking with excitement. “A fight! A fight!” As soon as they saw McKinley and Redburn, they skidded to a stop.
    â€œRedburn!” McKinley growled. “I’ll give you a chance to go now. Either you do or I’ll send you away with your tail between your legs.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” Redburn returned. “Andwhen I become head dog you’ll go to the bottom of the pack, where you can lick my paws.”
    From the other side of the way Tubbs suddenly appeared. “Hey,” he barked, looking from McKinley to Redburn. “What are you guys doing?”
    â€œKeep out of the way, runt-foot,” Redburn growled.
    â€œOh . . . yeah, sure,” Tubbs whimpered. Hastily, he backed up, tail drooping, eyes lowered.
    McKinley leaned forward on the tips of his claws. The hair along his back and his erect tail bristled. Teeth exposed, he looked at Redburn coldly, trying to decide exactly where to attack. He was close enough to feel the setter’s breath.
    A loud noise erupted behind him—the sound of a truck—followed by the long beep of an auto horn.
    â€œMcKinley!” came a shout. It was the female, Sarah. “McKinley, what do you think you’re doing?” she cried.
    Reluctantly, Redburn broke off the challenge. Growling, “Lucky you,” he backed away from McKinley.
    But McKinley lunged forward, only to feel himself held back by Sarah’s strong hands on his collar.
    â€œStop it, McKinley!” she cried. “No fighting! Scoot, Redburn,” she yelled at the setter. “Get home to your own street! Now get!”
    Redburn turned his back on McKinley and walked off a few feet, then paused and looked over his shoulder. “McKinley, you refused a fair fight. I’m calling a meeting of the pack. Like it or not, I’m going to be the new head dog.”
    Showing his teeth, McKinley tried to leap forward again. Sarah restrained him.
    Redburn trotted off, leg feathers flowing. The sight enraged McKinley. He struggled to get free.
    â€œStop this!” Sarah demanded. “I won’t have you fighting. If you do, I’ll lock you inside the house.”
    McKinley sat. He opened his mouth slightly and stuck out his tongue. From the corner of his eye he saw Boots and Jaws scamper away. They would, he knew, spread the news.
    â€œThere. That’s better,” the woman said, letting go of McKinley’s collar. “We have quite enoughdog business in town without fighting. There’s a meeting over at the town hall right now about that wolf Jack saw. Now, are you going to be calm?” she asked McKinley.
    The wolf. He put up a paw and touched her knee, whimpering softly to tell her he was fine.
    â€œGood boy,” Sarah said. She got back in her truck and drove it