Wiggy German Shepherd was very proud of his three-month-old son. The puppy, called Brandy, scampered around the bushes playfully and nipped at his father's tail. He then sniffed all the other dogs that played in the park that day.

 "Fine boy you have there," said Colin Collie.

 "He has your eyes," said Louise Irish Setter.

 "His bark sounds just like yours," said Daniel Great Dane.

 On a beautiful afternoon like this, all the dogs gathered in the park to discuss cars they had chased, bones they had found, cats they had pursued and to watch the puppies play at the same time.

 "I chased a cat for three blocks yesterday," said Colin Collie excitedly.

 "I hate cats. They are so sneaky!" said Daniel Great Dane.

 "My owner has a cat, too," said Louise Irish Setter. "That cat doesn't come into the room I'm in. That cat knows, I am the boss."

 Wiggy German Shepherd had a good relationship with the cat at his house. They shared the mat in front of the fire many times on a cold winter's night. Wiggy German Shepherd didn't hate cats at all, but he didn't tell the others.

 "Yes, I'm the boss of my house, too," Wiggy German Shepherd bragged, winking at Brandy German Shepherd.

 Back and forth went the gossip for the day until Louise Irish Setter was seen to stiffen her back. The others looked in that direction to see a cat mewing from halfway up a tree.

advertisement

 "I should go over there and pull that cat's tail," said Colin Collie.

 "He'd come down that tree fast then," laughed Louise Irish Setter.

 "Bet he would, too," said Wiggy German Shepherd pretending to laugh with the others.

 "I'll show him he can't come into this park at all," said Daniel Great Dane and proceeded to the tree. Daniel Great Dane barked and barked while the cat climbed higher and higher until he was on the very thinnest of branches. Daniel Great Dane grabbed the trunk and shook.

 Out from under the bush came Brandy German Shepherd barking in his little voice and bit Daniel Great Dane on the tail.

 "What's wrong with your son?" asked Daniel Great Dane, rubbing his tail.

 All the dogs waited for an answer, but looking up at him for support was his son, Brandy German Shepherd.

 "He doesn't believe in hurting a cat for an unfair reason, just like his dad doesn't either," said Wiggy German Shepherd.

 Silence filled the air.

 "I suspect I was too rough," said Daniel Great Dane. "Did I tell you, Louise Irish Setter, about the bone I found at the end of the street? It must be ten pounds."

 Brandy German Shepherd looked up to his dad with pride in his eyes. Father winked and laughed at Daniel Great Dane's tall tale.

 Winner: Gerald Penny of RR#1 Blockhouse received a prize in the mail for sending in the answer.

 Question about the story: How big was the bone that Daniel Great Dane found at the end of the street?

 Send answers to Storytime, c/o Verna Dunlop, RR#1 Moser River, NS B0J 2K0 or e-mail the answer to the question to vernadunlop@yahoo.com. Prizes will be sent to those sending in the answer.

posted on 06/22/10