Gertrude Chandler Warner - Dog Lovers Special: Three Adventures of the Boxcar Children

ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this book or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The Mystery at the Dog Show Copyright 1993 by Albert Whitman & Company

The Guide Dog Mystery Copyright 1996 by Albert Whitman & Company

The Mystery of the Midnight Dog Copyright 2001 by Albert Whitman & Company

978-1-4804-5046-2

Published by Albert Whitman & Company

250 South Northwest Highway, Suite 320

Park Ridge, Illinois 60068

www.albertwhitman.com

Distributed by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.

345 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

www.openroadmedia.com

F aster! shouted six-year-old Benny Alden. Ill race you to the bottom of the hill! He leaned over and started pedaling his bicycle as fast as his short legs could go down the long hill at the end of Wildwood Road.

Hey, said Jessie, Bennys older sister, who was twelve. You have a head start. She pedaled after Benny. A moment later Bennys older brother, fourteen-year-old Henry, and his other sister, Violet, who was ten, were racing after Benny, too.

Its a tie, its a tie! shouted Jessie as the four Alden children coasted to a stop at the bottom of the hill.

No, its not, said Benny.

What do you mean, Benny? asked Violet. We all got to the bottom of the hill at exactly the same time.

Benny shook his head and pointed. You forgot Watch. He got here before all of us!

The four Alden children all looked at the happy, panting dog. He had come to live with them when they first became orphans and were living in an old abandoned boxcar in the woods. Theyd been on their own, trying to take care of themselves. When a dog had limped into their lives with a thorn in his paw, it had seemed only right to take care of him, too. So Jessie had taken the thorn out and Benny had named the brave little dog Watch. He had been a good friend and watchdog, too, ever since.

Now the Boxcar Children no longer had to live in the boxcar in the woods. They hadnt known it then, but they had a grandfather who had been searching and searching for them. Hed found them at last and brought them all to live in his big, wonderful old house in Greenfield. And he had even had their boxcar moved to the backyard behind the house, so they could visit it whenever they wanted.

Arf! said Watch.

Look at Watch. Henry laughed. He knows he won!

Watch ran around them in a big circle, wagging his tail so hard it looked like he was about to fall over.

Okay, Watch, said Jessie, laughing too. She threw up her hands. I give up. Youre right, Benny. Watch is the winner!

Good boy, Watch, said Benny. Hooray for you!

Arra-arrf! answered Watch, making them all laugh harder.

At last Henry took a deep breath and managed to stop laughing. Hey, wed better be getting back home! Its almost dinnertime.

The four Alden children and Watch turned toward home. Theyd been at the Greenfield Park all afternoon. It had been a wonderful day.

They were almost home when Jessie suddenly put her brakes on and coasted to a stop.

The others stopped, too.

What is it, Jessie? asked Violet.

Look. Theres Dr. Scotts office. Isnt it time for Watch to have his annual shots for rabies and distemper and everything?

Youre right, said Henry. Lets go in and make an appointment right now.

They walked their bikes over to the side of the veterinarians office building and parked them. But when they got to the front door, Benny said, Im not going in.

Oh, Benny, said Violet. Why not? You like Dr. Scott.

It was true. Benny did like Dr. Scott. They all did, ever since theyd helped out at the Greenfield Animal Shelter, where Dr. Scott sometimes worked.

Yes, I like Dr. Scott, agreed Benny. But Watch doesnt like to go to the veterinarians office. He doesnt like to get shots! So Ill stay out here with Watch.

Henry smiled. Youre right Benny, he said. I dont think anybody likes to get shots, even though they are for your own good. You can wait here with Watch and well be right back.

Henry, Jessie, and Violet went inside. Benny sat down on the steps next to Watch and put his arm around the dog.

Dont worry, said Benny. Ill go in with you when you have to get your shots.

Watch wagged his tail and put his paw on Bennys arm.

Inside the veterinarians office, the receptionist looked at the three Alden children over the top of his glasses and smiled. Hello, he said. What can I do for you?

Wed like to make an appointment with Dr. Scott for our dog, Watch, explained Jessie.

Im sorry. Dr. Scott is away on vacation. Another veterinarian is handling her patients if theres an emergency, the receptionist told them.

No, it isnt an emergency, said Henry. Could we make an appointment now to see Dr. Scott when she gets back? Our dog Watch needs his annual shots.

Certainly, said the receptionist. He ran his finger down the page of the appointment book. I have an appointment right after lunch the first day Dr. Scotts back in the office.

Great, said Henry.

Please make it in the name of Watch Alden, Violet said.

With a smile, the receptionist wrote Watch Alden down in the appointment book, then wrote the time and date on a card and gave it to the Aldens.

After thanking the receptionist, Henry, Jessie, and Violet went outside to join Benny and Watch. They rode quickly home to join Grandfather Alden for dinner.

As always, Mrs. McGregor, the Aldens housekeeper, had made a wonderful dinner. And as always, Benny had seconds of everything and still had plenty of room for dessert.

Ummm, said Benny, starting to eat the warm apple pie with ice cream that Mrs. McGregor had made for them.

Henry shook his head. You have a big appetite, Benny.

Im still a growing boy, said Benny. Thats what Grandfather says, isnt it, Grandfather?

Grandfather Alden chuckled. It certainly is, he told his youngest grandchild. Then he reached in his pocket and pulled out a letter. Before I start my dessert, I want to share some good news with you all.

What is it, Grandfather? asked Violet.

This is a letter from my old friend Mrs. Annabel Teague. She and her daughter will be in town next week for the first annual Greenfield Dog Show at the Greenfield Center.

Neat, said Jessie. Then she smiled. I can solve the mystery of why shes coming, too!