Pat Becker - Adventures on a Summers Day: With Bandit & Company

With her usual imaginative flair, Pat Becker brings to life this new series about a band of pet dogs and cats and their adventures in a loving home in an ideal setting. Readers of all ages will smile within when they recognize the human qualities the author has imbued in all these animals. And the interaction of these pets as they experience their various adventures will undoubtedly connect with discerning readers.

The stunning color illustrations by artist Margaret Gaeddert add greatly to the character development and narrative. This is another winning collaboration between the author and the illustrator, both Oklahomans with a love of animals that reflects in their words and art.

Readers can look forward to more entertaining and heartwarming stories about these animal characters, as this is the first of an illustrated series about the lives and adventures of the band of dogs and cats known as...

Bandit and Company.

Darl DeVault, Executive Editor

Distinctly Oklahoma Magazine

Adventures on a Summers Day

(first of the Bandit and Company series)

Copyright 2017 by Pat Becker

Cover art and illustrations by Margaret Gaeddert

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

Pat Becker will always try to accommodate a sing-along, book reading, speaking to a group, or appearing for a book signing or an interview. For more information or to book an event, contact Pat Becker at:

or by phone at: (405) 627-9272

For more information about Pat Becker or to order

autographed copies online:

www.patbeckerbooks.com

Publishing and Printing

by Total Publishing and Media (Tulsa, Okla.)

This edition printed in 2017.

ISBN (HC) 978-1-63302--060-3

ISBN (eBook) 978-1-63302-061-0

Dedication...

To the variety of pets whose daily adventures

add joy and meaning to their owners lives.

To the kindly pet owners everywhere who give

shelter and love to their animals.

Bandit and Company

the Prequel

L IFE FOR A PUP WHO IS BORN IN A SHELTER can be a harsh teaching tool. The constant excessive noise of other dogs, the confined areasthe separation from the mother at a very early agethe continuous absence of siblings as they are adopted.

These were the circumstances in the life of a Great Dane-English Pointer crossbred who inherited the stature and wisdom of his father, and the focus and determination of his mothercharacteristics that served him well in spite of his humble beginnings.

The family who adopted him as a pup called him Diamond because of the shape of the spot on the top of his head. The marking was very typical of a common English Pointer trait.

Diamond was kept outside in a large crate, which he quickly outgrew. One day the children forgot to hook the clip on the door of the crate and the young dog escaped. At first confused, Diamond walked cautiously around the yard looking for a family member. He thought that he might be in troublethen realized that the car was gonewhich meant that the family would be gone for a while.

Overjoyed with this new freedom, he started running in circles, rolling in the grass, his heart pounding with excitement. He ran through the neighborhood, passing houses and office buildings. He crossed city streets busy with traffic, dodging cars and people in shopping center parking lots.

He paused only a minute or two in a downtown park where he jumped into a water fountain, splashing around in the small cement pool. Feeling refreshed, the spunky big white dog continued his journey.

It was late afternoon as he trotted into the pasture of a local stable. Two horsesa large sorrel thoroughbred mare named Bess and a gray quarter horse named Lillywere drinking water from a pond near the center of the pasture.

What do you want? the gray horse yelled with fear in her voice. Go away! Bad dog!

The two horses ran, then turned to stare at Diamond from a safe distance.

Now hold on! Diamond said. Dont panic ladies. I just need a drink from your pond, then Ill be on my way.

Really! Lilly snorted. If we turn our backs youll nip our heelsor worse. You dogs have bothered us too often. Your kind cant be trusted.

Hey, you dont even know me. Im a nice guy. Diamond cocked his head and smiled.

If you are, youd be the first weve met, Bess added.

Diamond, looking beyond the two nervous mares, suddenly stiffened. Ladies, he said, I think we have company.

Three large German Shepherds running toward them began barking fiercely. The mares bolted behind Diamondtheir heads in the air, eyes wild with fear.

Stand your ground! the big dog yelled. Stay calm. Lets teach these bullies some manners.

The German Shepherds skidded to a sudden stop in front of the three they had hoped to chase. They were very confused by the turn of events. Diamond was clearly in an aggressive stance between them and the mares. But why?

The shepherds had never encountered another dog willing to protect horses at the likely cost of personal harm. They backed up several feet, standing cautiously.

The more aggressive dog curled his lips. Stand aside, MUTT! These nags are ours.

Diamond grinned. Ya know, fellas, I can see youre on a mission here. But these lovely mares just want to be left alone. So I guess youll just have to go badger someone else. Does that work for you?

All three Shepherds growled threateningly.

OKwellIm really puzzled here, Diamond said. I cant figure out what offends me more about you threeyour obvious bad tempers or the big wad of stupidity in your brains. For starters youre too mean to like, so Im betting that you dont make friends easily. So when we win this fight, Bess, Lilly and I will probably get an award.

Diamond walked in a circle between the mares and the other dogs. These ladies have told me that youve been harassing them for too long a time, and theyre not going to have any more of it. Have you noticed that they each weigh about twelve hundred pounds and are capable of kicking all of you about the length of this pasture.

Diamond looked directly at the shepherds as he continued walking in a tight circle. Watching you get what you deserve may just be the highlight of my day, he said, so Ive decided to join the ladies in kicking your rears. Ive been known to defend myself fairly wellso let the games begin!

Bandit stood tall, preparing for whatever action the shepherds chose. Their leader paced back and forth, as the shepherds glanced at one another and waited for the signal to pounce.

Diamond and the shepherd leader stood like statues, staring at one another, their eyes locked. The hair bristled on Diamonds back. He could sense the two mares behind him quivering.

The shepherd leader started backing away slowly, keeping his eyes on Diamond. Out of the corner of his mouth he yelled at the other two. This mutts crazy! Lets go find a cat.

The lead shepherd whirled around, trotting past his companions, who stood dumbfounded. Well, are you coming? he asked. The others turned and reluctantly followed their leader.

As the three intruders ran in the direction from which they came, the mares cheered with relief. Whats your name, you good, good dog? Bess asked as she leaned her head down to touch Diamonds nose.