The Ditch Dog: Book 1 - The Ditch Dog takes you into the world of a lovable, shaggy, stray dog named Ditto. He plays endlessly with his many animals friends. While his friends from the village, bring him treats and hugs. Scruffy and unkempt he may be, but Ditto is a dog with dignity, pride and sound judgment. Once abandoned, he loves his freedom beyond all else, but gradually Ditto begins to understand that something is missing. Will his past fears allow him to become part of a special family and feel truly loved! The Hedge Cat: Book 2 - The Hedge Cat takes you into a warm cozy cottage, where, Giggles happily lives surrounded by those she loves: it is the only home she has ever known. Until one day, a beautiful blue butterfly leads her away from her secure life and into new adventures. She finds herself in a world of dark hedges and wild animals, where some are kind but many are not. Giggles never doubts that Suzy will be searching for her but will Suzy find Giggles in time to rescue her from Emu the wild, mangy tomcat and the smelly, large black dog that are chasing her?
The Ditch Dog The Hedge Cat
By Mary BarriUniverse, Inc.
Copyright © 2009 Mary Barr
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4401-5558-1Contents
1. Ditto and the Invisible Dog.....................12. Ditto Visits the Village........................43. Friends on the Common...........................104. Last Winter.....................................155. Ditto's Best Friends............................186. Ditto's Cold Bath...............................237. When Autumn Turns to Winter.....................258. Ditto Goes Home.................................289. Ditto the Real Dog..............................34
Chapter One
Ditto and the Invisible Dog
It was a warm, fuzzy, August morning. Tiny white puffy clouds floated lazily across an azure sky. A gentle breeze tickled the air, bringing with it autumn's early morning smells. The bees hummed softly, while the early birds created a chorus of birdsong as they celebrated the beginning of another new and wonderful day.
Ditto was a ditch dog, a scruffy, happy ditch dog. His shaggy coat was once white with patches of dark brown but now appeared a matted gray with large patches of dirty black. Ditto had large, gentle, light brown eyes, floppy ears, and a tail that usually wagged approval, whether or not there was any approval that needed wagging about; Ditto was a happy dog.
Ditto slept neatly curled up in one of his favorite ditches. All around him, the grass grew green and lush beside the lazy country lane. He slept securely under a gentle weeping willow tree; its branches long, while the lazy breeze ruffled the leaves as they tickled his nose. Ditto first opened one eye, then the other as slowly the early morning noises intruded on his sleep, awakening him gently as they welcomed him to the new day.
"Wake up, Ditto! The sun's already over the tall old pine tree," Swirly Squirrel said, hanging from the longest branch of the willow tree. Reaching down, Swirly tickled Ditto's nose with a fresh, long stem of grass. Ditto could hear Swirly's high-pitched giggle followed by the sound of the tiny red squirrel scurrying high into the branches the moment he stirred. Ditto stretched, just as he'd been taught as a puppy-he pulled his body out as far as it would go so he could become the longest dog he could possibly be. He yawned, wagged his tail at nothing, and sat down again, surveying the morning.
It was a good day, Ditto thought, strolling slowly over to the little stream in the meadow. He lapped at the cool water, quenching his early morning thirst. Then he spied a butterfly opening and closing its large wings on a small rock nearby. Ditto loved chasing butterflies! It was one of his favorite things in the whole world! He thought about it all day long; he even dreamed about it at night.
Just then, Ditto's tail began wagging wildly with excitement. He yapped loudly before jumping around in circles. The butterfly did not move. It just sat opening and closing its wings, teasing Ditto, until slowly it began to fly. Ditto was so excited he completely forgot he was on one side of the stream while the butterfly was on the other. He jumped high into the air as he leaped eagerly toward the butterfly. It was such a pretty, colorful butterfly, and Ditto always enjoyed an early morning game of chase. Ditto never thought he'd actually catch a butterfly, but he was sure going to try. The fun was in the chase, anyway.
Ditto landed-splash!-in the middle of the chilly stream. The water quickly soaked his belly, as he immediately remembered the stream between himself and the butterfly. After briefly hovering over Ditto, the beautiful butterfly slowly flew off. Ditto stayed exactly where he was, gazing after it and wishing he, too, could fly so gracefully through the air. The butterfly circled over Ditto several times, teasing him just a little more. Each time Ditto leaped high into the air, but always the butterfly remained just out of reach. Soon, the butterfly tired of the early morning game and flew off to do whatever butterflies do every day when they're not being chased by ditch dogs.
As he stood on the grassy bank, Ditto shook himself again before rolling long and deeply in the grass. This time, he very nearly had that butterfly, he thought, his tail wagging madly. Very nearly, but not quite. Again Ditto rolled in the grass, nibbling on a few choice pieces before drinking a little more of the cool stream water.
Ditto always closed his eyes when he drank, but today for just a second he opened one eye. As he looked into the clear water of the stream, he saw another dog. Frightened, Ditto immediately leaped backward, cowering low in the long grass. The dog in the water looked horribly unkempt; he was a scruffy-looking dog, maybe not unlike himself. However, the thing that scared Ditto most was how close the dog was to him, almost nose to nose-and he hadn't even known he was there! Ditto liked nearly all dogs, but he had never seen this dog before. It scared him.
Ditto laid flat against the grass as slowly he looked around to see where the dog was hiding. He couldn't see it anywhere! Maybe the other dog felt just as scared. Maybe it would like to play, Ditto thought, as slowly he wagged his tail, not a fast wag but just a little wag on the end. Ditto waited patiently in the grass for the other dog to appear. He waited and waited; he watched and waited. More time passed, but still he couldn't see the dog anywhere.
Chapter Two
Ditto Visits the Village
Ditto wasn't sure he wanted to stay and play with a dog he couldn't see. He decided an invisible dog wouldn't be much fun, anyway. If it was as shy as Ditto thought it was, what sort of friendship could they have? Maybe the dog was already playing hide and seek with Ditto! He loved hide and seek, but as he looked around, he couldn't see the other dog anywhere. Maybe it has already found a good hiding place!
Ditto was not a shy dog. He was a fun, happy kind of dog who enjoyed meeting new people and dogs. He loved learning new things and seeing the world. The sun had moved higher in the sky now, and Ditto knew he had places to go and people and dogs to see. He wasn't even sure the other dog wanted to play, and if it wouldn't even show itself, Ditto knew it wouldn't be much fun.
He lingered just a few minutes longer, waiting and watching, until reluctantly he realized the other dog really didn't want to play after all. Ditto shook himself off again and headed toward the back meadow. He knew it was the safest way to travel; the grass was taller there, perfect for hiding, and if the dogcatcher was searching for him, he wouldn't be able to easily spot him. Ditto was nearly into the long grass when he heard a voice.
"Ditto, come and play! It's a great day, and Betty and I are thinking of playing chase out in the meadow. Do stay and join us?" It was the deep, raspy voice of Badley Badger; he bounded toward Ditto. Betty Badger was one of the sweetest animals Ditto knew; she cared about everyone. You could rely on her completely, no questions asked. Ditto had always thought the Badger family very handsome with their striking black stripes over both eyes and clean white stripe down the center. He found their flat, chubby bodies quite unique-rather funny and sort of cuddly all at the same time; and they sure could run fast.
"No thanks, Badley and Betty. I'm off to see my friends in the village. They always bring me treats." Ditto politely answered the Badgers.
"Well, now, you be wary of them humans. Very unpredictable creatures all those nice little doggies they keep on a piece of rope!" Badley warned, before Betty interrupted him.
"Oh, Badley, leave Ditto alone! He has to decide on his own just whom he wants as his friends. You always said choice was a good thing, remember?" she added, playfully nudging Badley.
"I know I said that, dearest, but I think one day Ditto and I should race in and free all those poor little doggies and bring them home with us!"
"I think they stay because they want to, Badley", Ditto said. "I know the only reason they're on the end of a rope is because of the nasty dogcatcher who roams around." Ditto said, still eager to leave.
"Oh, Ditto, he would love to catch you. Do be careful! Stay in the ditches and shadows," Betty called, the concern evident in her voice. Ditto smiled, knowing they were both his good friends.
"Okay, Betty. I promise to be careful. Have fun playing chase," Ditto called over his shoulder.
Ditto turned, tail wagging, and headed in the direction of the village. It was one of his special places in the whole world and always so much fun. Ditto ran swiftly along the edge of the meadows, staying hidden in the tall grass. Ditto loved the feeling of the long grass as it brushed against his coat and face. As he ran, the cool breeze stung his eyes, but he didn't care. He loved the feeling of freedom more than anything. So, with his ears flapping against his head and his tongue hanging out, Ditto continued running just as fast as he could. He always felt the same excitement as he headed toward the village. He had many friends there, and it was fun seeing them and their dogs as they walked the village common.
As he neared the village, he headed for the safety of the ditch. For as much fun as visits to the village were, Ditto constantly remembered the dogcatcher and his fondness for catching stray dogs. Ditto knew he was definitely a stray dog.
Sometime later, Ditto was safely in the big ditch at the far end of the common under a very large oak tree, its leaves already beginning to turn golden as it notified the world autumn was fast approaching. The first friend to greet Ditto was Bruce, an Old English Sheepdog. Bruce's long, shaggy coat was black at the back, while the front was very white and fell over his eyes like the fringe on a long woolen scarf. Ditto knew Bruce was a happy, loved dog, who was very content and always beautifully groomed. Today, Bruce proudly wore a new brown dog harness with a matching leash, held firmly by ten-year-old Rex, whose mother followed close behind. The moment Bruce saw Ditto, he gently guided Rex toward the ditch.
"Hello, ditch dog," Bruce said in his deep, slow, voice.
"Hello," echoed Rex in his high-pitched young boy's voice, brushing a stray red curl from his large brown eyes. Rex wore an old, blue check shirt and long faded red jeans; they appeared much too large for him as they hung down around his hips. Young Rex held them up with one hand while holding Bruce's leash firmly in the other.
"Look, ditch dog-I'm wearing my brand new dog harness. It's very comfortable, and I don't choke if Rex pulls too hard. Do you like it?" Bruce asked, holding his head high and turning proudly around several times. His shaggy coat shone in the sunlight as he peered through his long fringe at Ditto.
"Yes, Bruce, it's very smart," Ditto, answered, even though most of the harness was completely hidden under Bruce's long shaggy coat.
"We got it especially for Bruce's birthday! He's a loved dog, not like you, ditch dog! You're very scruffy!" Rex added honesty, but kindly.
"Yes, but I'm free, and I can do whatever I want, whenever I want," Ditto added, defending himself as he always did.
"Rex, didn't you have something for the dirty ditch dog?" Rex's mother said in a kind voice.
"No, Mummy. I left it at home. I have some bread for the ducks. Would you like some, ditch dog?" Rex asked embarrassed as he turned one corner of his lip down and softly kicked the ground.
"You forget everything, Rex," added Bruce, lazily shaking his thick coat.
"No, it's okay. I wouldn't want to take the ducks' lunch from them," Ditto reluctantly answered, seeing Rex's embarrassment as his stomach growled.
"You're a good, kind, considerate ditch dog. I think you should come home with us. We can clean you up and love you. We'd be your very own family," Rex said, excited now.
"Thank you, but I like being a ditch dog. I have my freedom; so you see I can do whatever I like. But thank you again for the offer, Rex," Ditto added, his tail wagging madly as he spoke.
"Oh, you're a silly ditch dog! Don't you know you're not a real dog unless you have someone who loves you?" said Bruce in his slow, gruff voice.
"I have many friends and I know they all like me a lot. Does that count?" Ditto asked,
"I'll have to think about it and tell you next time we see you. Bye, ditch dog," said Bruce and Rex as they turned and walked away. After they left, Ditto quickly checked for the dogcatcher before backing further into the shadows.
Moments later, Ditto heard the loud voices of the Rawlinson kids as they bounded into view. Blackie was a tall, excitable Standard Poodle. Constantly in motion, he continually yapped and barked loudly. Today, as usual, he wore a large red collar as he dragged young Janet Rawlinson in Ditto's direction. Following closely behind the scruffy pair came the two older Rawlinson boys, Billy and Donny, while behind them scampered the two younger boys, Ronny and Willy. They were dirty, noisy kids; and Ditto noticed as usual, they ran everywhere and had no control over Blackie whatsoever. As they came toward Ditto, he could hear young Ronny and Willy arguing loudly over who had won the most marbles at school yesterday.
Janet was the only girl and Ditto secretly thought her very pretty, but like her brothers she always looked as though she'd been rolling around in the dirt and dust. Her jeans were worn and scruffy, her faded pink T-shirt was covered in grass stains; today Ditto noticed several small holes had appeared. Ditto particularly liked her hair. It was a soft, light golden brown and curled up at the ends just below her shoulders. Ditto's favorite time was when she wore it in a ponytail, and it swung back and forth as she ran. Today, her hair was again dusty and had leaves and grass in it, just like the boys' hair. Janet had the whitest teeth Ditto had ever seen, and the bluest eyes. Yes, Ditto thought, she was a pretty girl. Ditto often wondered just how good-looking the Rawlinson children would be, if they'd occasionally change their clothes and took a bath.
"Hi, ditch dog!" the five children said in unison as Blackie leaped toward Ditto, barking wildly as his tall front legs left the ground. Ditto knew Janet must be a very strong girl to restrain him at all; he barked and yapped constantly and never stopped moving, even when he spoke. Even though Blackie was a tall, handsome Standard Poodle, unlike most poodles he had never been seen the groomer. Like the Rawlinson kids, Blackie was always rather dirty, with twigs and grass hidden in his matted coat. However, someone was clearly trimming his tail, as the end stayed perfectly shaped in a large round ball. Ditto knew Blackie was very proud of his tail.
"Ditch dog, you should find a home! Yes, that's what you need, a home. Then you could be a dog who someone loves! Guess what we did today-it was so much fun! Oh yes it was! Guess, guess, guess!" Blackie barked. He continued to move madly to and fro, pulling wildly on his leash and dragging Janet two more feet toward Ditto. As hard as she tried, she was unable to hold Blackie back.
"Okay, just what did you do today, Blackie?" Ditto politely asked the excitable pooch.
"We played Frisbee! Oh yes, that's what we did, yes it was! It was fun, oh yes, so much fun, ditch dog!" Blackie said talking as fast as he moved, all the while jumping and barking madly.
Willy and Ronny stopped arguing and added, "If you were a real dog and not a scruffy ditch dog, you could play with us! Anyway, we have something for you, ditch dog."
Willy and Billy began digging into their deep, dirty pockets. They managed to carry an assortment of items that only young boys could call treasures. Billy soon produced a slightly eaten sausage, which he threw toward Ditto; Ditto caught it easily in his mouth. Shortly afterward, Willy threw a half eaten and rather squashed chicken sandwich in Ditto's direction, but his aim wasn't so good. Willy quickly ran forward, picked up the sandwich, and took it directly to Ditto, who eagerly gobbled it up also. Ditto licked his mouth and wagged his tail as Willy patted him on the head.
Janet then said it was time to go as their mother was expecting them home. All the boys came forward and patted Ditto as they said goodbye. Blackie still yapped for attention, and the two younger boys continued their argument. In moments, the noisy crowd was gone. They were always the same. It felt like a hurricane had hit when the Rawlinson kids were around. Ditto had long ago noticed how everyone on the common avoided them when they ran through the village, but Ditto liked their noise and excitement. He thought they were okay. However, he often wondered why he had never seen their mother. The other children usually had a grown-up with them when they walked their dogs.
Chapter Three
Friends on the Common
The next to stroll by was Harold the Boxer dog and his owner, Major Purdy. They were the exact opposite of the Rawlinson kids. Major Purdy was a proper gentleman; tall and distinguished. He always wore a dark green or navy blue tweed jacket with leather patches on the elbows, and a brown leather cap. Ditto liked the way he bowed and raised his cap to the ladies as they passed.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Ditch Dog The Hedge Catby Mary Barr Copyright © 2009 by Mary Barr. Excerpted by permission.
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