Stacy Nyikos - Waggers

For Rainer, who is a dogs best friend. Waggers tried to be good. He tried really hard. When he saw Moni and Michael, he sat very straight and perked his ears. But when they picked Waggers up, his tail twirled so hard it sent the other puppies flying. Thats some tail, said Mom.

Ill say, said Dad. Yeah! said Moni and Michael. They begged and pleaded until Mom and Dad were swayed. It was only a tail. How much harm could it do? They adopted Waggers and took him home. Lets make cookies, Moni said.

Waggers helped Moni get the ingredients. He kept her company while she mixed them up. He even tested the dough without Moni having to ask. Yum! His tail started to wag. Waggers, no! Moni said. But it was REALLY good cookie dough.

Bad dog, Waggers! said Mom. Waggers hung his head. He tried to be good. He tried really hard. But his tail got in the way. Theres a monster, Michael whispered.

He crouched down. Waggers crouched down. Michael crept toward the sofa. Waggers crept, too. He even pounced on the monsters shoes without Michael having to ask. Waggers, no! Michael said. Waggers, no! Michael said.

But they were REALLY stinky shoes. Bad dog, Waggers! said Dad. Waggers hung his head. He tried to be good. He tried really hard. The next week, Waggers practiced sit. The week after that, he found hidden treasure. And the week after that, Waggers stopped an alien invasion. Somethings got to be done about that dog, said Mom. Somethings got to be done about that dog, said Mom.

Hes ruining our house, said Dad. So Moni and Michael hid Waggers in the garage. Be good, Waggers, they said. Waggers tried to be good. He tried really hard. Mom and Dad decided Waggers needed a new home. Mom and Dad decided Waggers needed a new home.

Moni and Michael begged and pleaded, but it was no use. The house was falling apart. It couldnt take one more wag. Moni, Michael, and Waggers spent their last night together in the backyard. They played and told stories and counted stars until Moni and Michael fell asleep. Waggers tried to sleep too, but he had an itch.

It was a REALLY bad itch. His tail started to twirl. Waggers got up. He scratched. He rubbed. And again. And again.

Waggers curled up next to Moni and Michael and fell asleep. He was so worn out his tail barely twitched. But oh, what it had done. My bushes! said Mom. My yard! said Dad. Waggers tried to be good.

He tried really hard. But his tail... ... his tail had cut the grass, trimmed the bushes, and even pruned the drooping branches. Thats some tail, said Mom. Ill say, said Dad.

Yeah! said Moni and Michael.