Catherine Stier - I Am Tucker, Detection Expert

A lot can happen in a dogs day.

Tucker the beagle has tried all kinds of jobs. He was a show dog first, but he was more interested in fans snacks than in the competition. Then he tried working as an airport therapy dog, but his love of food got him in trouble there too.

Now Tucker has a new home and a fresh start. As part of the Beagle Brigade, he helps sniff out foods that might bring pests or diseases into the country. The job seems perfect. But will it stick this time?

Albert Whitman & Co.

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Printed in the United States of America

Jacket art copyright 2021 by Albert Whitman & Company

To Jill, a friend to every pup she meets at the airport (and everywhere else). Thank you for being my book-recommendation-sharing, always caring, true-blue friend too.CS

To my talented grandparents, thank you for your art and your love.FR

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is on file with the publisher.

Text copyright 2021 by Catherine Stier

Illustrations copyright 2021 by Albert Whitman & Company

Illustrations by Francesca Rosa

First published in the United States of America in 2021 by Albert Whitman & Company

ISBN 978-0-8075-1678-2 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-8075-1685-0 (ebook)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

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Design by Valerie Hernndez

For more information about Albert Whitman & Company, visit our website at www.albertwhitman.com.

I know my mission, and Im ready.

Im cruising through the airport when I spy a woman wearing sunglasses waiting by the luggage carousel. She carries a flowery bag that gives off a scent I cant ignore. As I get closer, I lunge forward and give the bag a big sniff, just to be sure.

Bingo!

One whiff tells me shes bringing something into the country that she shouldnt. I cant let that happen. I do my supersecret signal to alert my partner that Ive found something. Whats my signal? SimpleI sit.

Just then, the woman looks down and sees me. I give her my most serious look. Saving the world is important business, after all.

Oh, hello, cute little doggy! she says.

Sigh.

I get that all the time. I gotta say, it isnt easy being so adorable. I mean, superheroes arent supposed to be cute. Were heroic!

Reggie, my human partner, gets my signal and takes over.

Excuse me, do you have any food items in your bag? he asks the woman.

She fumbles in her bag and pulls out the dangerous object I smelledan orange.

Only this, she says.

I give that orange a fierce glare. It may look innocent, but some people dont realize how much harm a piece of fruit can do! Reggie knows though. After giving me my doggy treat reward, he takes the orange. Good job, Tucker, he tells me. Then he politely tells the woman why some fruits, meats, and other foods cant be brought into the country.

These products might carry insects or diseases that could cause a lot of damage to forests or the food grown on farms, he says.

The woman looks surprised. I didnt know, she says. I forgot I tossed that in my bag. Im sorry.

Reggie gives the woman a friendly smile. He reminds her to declare any food brought into the country. Then he sets the orange aside to be disposed of later. After that, we move on, and Im back to work, doing what I do best. Its the perfect job for a beagle like me.

Whats my job exactly? Let me explain.

One thing everyone learns two minutes after meeting me is that I love food. All kinds of food, anytime, anyplace. Some might think my love for food is my biggest flaw. Theyd be wrong.

In fact, its just the thing that makes me so good at my job. I work as a kind of food finder, also known as a detector dog. Im one of four other beagle detector dogs at this airport. Together, were called the Beagle Brigade.

Reggie says the dogs of the Beagle Brigade have everything a true superhero team has:

Cool outfits? Yep. Each of us has a spiffy official jacket to wear.

Superpowers? Definitely. We are amazing sniffers and scent finders.

Team members working together to save the planet? Thats us!

And crime-fighting partners? Absolutely! Just like Batman has Robin, each dog works alongside a human partner. My partner is Canine Officer Reggie.

Best of all, we have an important mission. Like Reggie told the woman with the orange, we protect the countrys forests and farms. I know about forests. Theyre amazing woodsy places and home to animals like deer and raccoons. As for farms, thats where food comes fromand, well, you know how I feel about food.

As the incoming passengers head out, Reggie glances at a clock. Break time, Tucker, he says.

Just before we leave the international arrivals areathats where people come in from other countrieswe pass by a poster. It has a picture of my fellow Beagle Brigade member Ruby. Along with Rubys photo, the poster has crossed-out pictures of things that shouldnt be brought into the country, like plants and meat and fruit. Ruby has been with the Beagle Brigade for many years. Shes sniffed out more stuff than any other dog on our team. I am still pretty new. But I hope one day to be just like her.

Reggie and I move on to the main part of the airport. Its a big, busy place, with shops and restaurants. Reggie stops a moment to greet his friend Jay, who works at the airport too. As I watch the travelers hurry by, I catch a few of Reggies words. Tucker will be leaving early, I hear him say. Another team is taking over this afternoon.

Leaving early? Another team? This is news to me. Am I being taken off the job?