Rampaging Rats: Astro's Adventures

By Susan Day

In this fun children’s book, Rampaging Rats, Melbourne City Airport is being destroyed by monster rats. People think dogs are responsible so Astro and our valiant team not only have to destroy the rats, but they also have to find out who created these terrible creatures and clear the name of The Organisation.

If they don’t the strong bond that exists between people and dogs may be ruined for all time and we won’t find out how Indy stopped a dog-eating crocodile or why there’s a dog that thinks his name is Stop It!

Follow the team as they travel around Australia and help rebuild the special bond that exists between dogs and their owners.

If you and your family love dogs you are going to love this fun children’s story. The characters are all based on real dogs and cats and, just like your pet at home, they will warm your heart. They are unique and a bit flawed but you’ll love them all the same.

The story is about a mysterious organisation that exists without detection and operates right under our very noses. Its sole purpose is to save dogs from neglect. This is the third book in the Astro Adventure’s series and it will delight and entertain your family with its fast moving plots and funny storylines.

This tale of spies and mystery is full of twists and turns. The secret organisation is manned by a tunnel digging terrier who carries a diamond encrusted nail file. A large dog for which the complexities of door handles are a complete mystery and who, instead, opens everything with his head. As well as, a commando, khaki wearing Blue heeler who is armed with a hunting bone and a smell grenade. And that’s just to name a few!

Reviews:
“With an all-dog cast, this amusing story grabbed me right away. The dogs of the Organisation are on a special mission to destroy an infestation of mechanical rats. Though written for kids ages 7 and up (in my opinion), the story is not overly cute. It is a serious mission these dogs are on, and they don't take it lightly. The plot is easy enough for a child to follow, but also a fun read for grownups, making it a perfect book to enjoy together...” Purple Violin

“...Your children will love this book. I understand that all the characters are based on real dogs and cats even the evil genius, Speed Bump Charlie. I highly recommend it...” Haim Ziv

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Day
• Release date: Sep 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301663033

Susan Day

Susan is an author, canine behaviourist, and a storyteller. She lives with her family and dogs, in particular, Rocky the Border collie and Stella, the blind dog. She spends her time blogging, writing and illustrating; training and counselling dogs and being bossed around by the family cat, Speed Bump Charlie and his sidekick, Furball (see Dogs in Space). Susan travelled around the world twice before she was seven years old. It seemed only fitting that the wonderful events she experienced and the places she visited on these journeys be recorded for history. Thus, her story telling skills began. Firstly, to Rupert Bear, her lifelong companion, and then to a host of imaginary friends and finally to her pet dog once the family finally set down roots in Australia. Susan is passionate about children's literature and wants to inspire children to be better people and encourage them to follow their dreams. She runs workshops for children teaching them how to form the wonders of their imaginations into stories. Susan lives in a small country town where there are more kangaroos than people. She shares her country property with four dogs, three cats, three rescue guinea pigs and a very large fish and her patient husband. More about her adventures are reflected in Clarence the Snake from Dunolly.

Book preview

Astro’s Adventures. Rampaging Rats

by

Susan Day

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Susan Day on Smashwords

Astro’s Adventures. Rampaging Rats

Copyright © 2012 by Susan Day

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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Astro’s Adventures: Rampaging Rats

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author would like to thank her accountability partner, Georgina Barrot without whose constant nagging this book, like those that came before it, would never have reached completion. And also, her family for patiently putting up with her creating alternative lives for their beloved pets and then talking about them as if they were real.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the members of the Cardinia Dog Group who continue to work for their dogs’ rights to run off leash. All the dogs depicted in Astro’s Adventures live in the township of Pakenham, Australia. They regularly attend the off leash dog walk that Alfie visits. The dogs mentioned in this part of the story are real and are actually great friends with all the characters in this book; although I’m pretty sure they don’t know they’re secret operatives.

CHAPTER 1

Commander Rocky looked up from the newspaper.

Any news about Operative Dingo and the rats at the airport? he asked Hans.

The Dachshund shuffled about on his chair and without looking away from the computer screen responded. Um, no Commander. He hasn’t reported in for several hours.

Hmmm, Commander Rocky responded absent-mindedly. Well, I’m sure rats won’t be too much of a problem for a rat terrier.

He turned the page of his newspaper and snapped it straight.

And after yesterday’s hectic adventure, I’m sure we all need a good rest. Finding the Golden Treasure and bringing her back here safely was exhausting to say the least.

Just then Sumo knocked at the Commander’s door. Can I come in? he asked.

Of course, responded Commander Rocky. Pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable.

I need to speak to you, Commander. I’m getting old and I don’t think I can do my job properly like I used to.

Commander Rocky leaned forward and listened more intently. I see, he whispered.

Deep down he knew this day was approaching; the day Sumo would come into his office and have ‘the talk’. Sumo had been with The Organisation for sixteen years. He had once been the best operative on the team. However, over the years Sumo’s age had crept up on him and he was getting slower and even the smallest task was difficult for the old dog.

When the puppies ran away from me and drove the bus out of the car park I knew that my best days were behind me and it was time to retire. I know everything worked out well and they helped save the Golden Treasure but what if they’d had an accident? What if just one of them had got hurt? Sumo shook his head and sighed heavily.

No one’s blaming you for what happened yesterday, Commander Rocky said gently. The puppies were very head strong and I’m not sure even I could have stopped them. You did your best and, as you say, the mission was a great success in the end.

The two old companions looked at each other from across the desk. Commander Rocky, seeing Sumo’s determined expression remained unchanged, sighed and said. But if you feel you must leave us, then you have to retire.

Then Commander Rocky smiled. What will you do with yourself now?

Sumo looked up and out of the window. I have a friend who lives in a small hut way out in the bush. He has a veranda to sleep on during the morning. An open fire to curl up in front of when it gets chilly and I believe there are rabbits to chase all day in fields of daisies.

I will miss your wisdom and your calm presence but I understand. Commander Rocky cleared his throat. He lowered his head and held back a tear.

Sumo stood up to leave and held out his paw to Commander Rocky. I will miss this place too, as mad and crazy as it is, I will miss it a lot!

Sumo shook the Commander’s paw and then he patted Hans on the back. Hans wiped back his tears and snuffled his nose into a handkerchief.

Well, I had better get packed and be on my way. Sumo shuffled out of the room. It’s a long trip and it might take this old dog a few days to walk there.

It sounds like you are going to heaven, smiled Commander Rocky imagining Sumo running after rabbits like a young pup. Doesn’t it Hans?

Hans nodded in agreement and blew his nose. They both stood and watched Sumo leave the room. They both knew that they might never see him again.

Commander Rocky sighed and sat down slowly to read the paper again. Hans returned to his desk. It was his job to get all the reports completed, duplicated, coded and then hidden in an impregnable vault forty three floors under the office he was sitting in. He picked up the picture frame of his beloved wife, Roxy. Soon they were going to have a family of their own.

He sighed again.

All the other dogs in The Organisation were highly trained operatives who went on dangerous missions. Even the new puppy recruits had been embroiled in the rescue of the Golden Treasure and her safe return to headquarters. All he got to do was the filing. He sighed in resignation.

The phone buzzed; it was the front office.

Yes? mumbled Hans.

He cocked his head from side to side.

What? he asked. How?

That can’t be, he exclaimed. Here?

Commander Rocky leaned forward and peered at Hans over his newspaper.

What is it, Hans? he barked.

"There’s a dog downstairs asking to speak to