Boo and the Pesky Puppy

By Jeanine Stewart

Boo, an Australian Shepherd, lives a life of pleasure. She’s the only dog to nine-year-old Emily and her older brother, Jake, who give all their attention to her. Can a dog’s life get any better?

One morning, Mom and Dad surprise Jake and Emily with a puppy. Boo is stunned. No, she’s shocked. She must convince Mom and Dad to take this... this... thing back to where he came from. But how? When she thinks she's found the answer, she runs into trouble. Big trouble. Will she ever see her family again? Ages 7 and up

Review:

This is the kind of story one would love to read every day. How Boo, a wonderful lady Australian Shepherd, loved by her human family, could possibly put up with an unruly pesky puppy in her own house, her own basket, her own yard, without her legitimate opinion?

The nice and caring Aussie becomes a little devil and uses her imagination to get Noodle into trouble, so that Mum and Dad might reconsider the validity of their decision, and finally take him to another home. Boo transforms completely, and soon finds herself in tricky situations and leading little Noodle with her...

Behind simplicity, with a great sense of humour, Jeanine Stewart takes a deep, generous and loving look on the world, on how we share, how we live together.

This is a modern tale is an essence of optimism, its reading makes the reader feel a deeper person.

This first fiction is a glowing tribute to the beauty of the world. May we all remember this when it comes to solving tricky problems, with love, and a deep understanding.

Thank you Mrs Stewart!

Catherine Chollet
English teacher in France
Former French teacher in the summer program at Portland State University
Former French teacher at the French American School in Portland, Oregon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanine Stewart
• Release date: Oct 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311111838

Jeanine Stewart

Jeanine Stewart is a writer, musician, and follower of Jesus Christ. She and her husband Richard live in Texas with their four cats.When she’s not writing, she’s either studying the Bible, attending a Jazzercise class, or vacuuming pet hair.

Book preview

Boo and the Pesky Puppy

The Life of Boo

Book 1

Ages 7 and up

Jeanine Stewart

Copyright 2014 Jeanine Stewart

Smashwords Edition

Thank you for downloading this eBook. This book remains the copyrighted property of

the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial

purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own

copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Dedication

To Richard. Thank you for believing in me and encouraging me to follow my heart. And to Ricky and Lucy, the real Noodle and Boo, and the inspiration for this story.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Frank Ball, my writing coach and editor, for his insight and wisdom. His help and feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks also to the Crossroads Writers and the Lamb of God Writers for their helpful words and encouragement.

Table of Contents

Boo and the Pesky Puppy

About Jeanine Stewart

Other Books by Jeanine Stewart

Coming Soon

Chapter 1

Boo whined and barked, watching from the front gate as Dad pulled his car into the driveway. Where had he been so early on a Saturday?

Boo! Inside! Emily’s voice.

Boo rounded the corner of the house and hurried toward the back door.

Nine-year-old Emily stood in the doorway, yawning and rubbing her eyes. "Good morning, Boo. Mom’s making blueberry pancakes. Or should I say, Boo-berry pancakes? Giggling, she reached down to pet Boo. I'll sneak you a bite or two."

Boo licked her lips and followed Emily into the kitchen.

Mom stood at the counter, preparing breakfast. She glanced at Emily. Put the butter and syrup on the table and feed Boo.

Emily’s older brother, Jake, ran through the room. Dad’s home.

Walk! Mom said.

Yes, ma’am. Jake opened the door to the garage.

Boo peeked around Jake’s legs, wiggled her tail-less behind, and barked a greeting.

Hi, Dad, Jake said.

Good morning. Dad pulled a dog kennel from the back seat.

Jake pointed at it. What’s that?

Dad grinned like Emily opening a Christmas present. Glad you asked. He set the kennel on the floor, reached inside, and pulled out a furry black, white, and copper puppy.

The animal whimpered and whined.

Boo froze. What was this beast doing in her house?

Jake gave Dad a high five. Woo-hoo!

Boo backed away from the whimpering fur ball. Why did Mom and Dad think the family needed a puppy? Wasn't Boo good enough?

Emily squealed and rushed toward the fur ball, nearly knocking over a chair. "Wow! A puppy. Ah… I can’t believe it. We’ve wanted one for a really, really long time. She sank to her knees and ran her hands through its fur, then looked up at Dad. Is it a boy or a girl?"

He’s a boy, Dad said.

Boo sighed. The family had already forgotten about her. For two years, she'd been the best dog anyone could ask for. Now, she'd been replaced by this… this… thing.

Jake knelt next to the puppy. "Wow! I can’t wait to tell Andrew. He’ll be so jealous. He’s wanted a dog ever since we got Boo. What kind is he?"

Dad sat next to the kids and crisscrossed his legs. He’s an Australian Shepherd, like Boo. He’s a black tri, and Boo’s a blue merle.

Emily hugged the fur ball. He’s so pretty. And he’s ours to keep?

Mom nodded. He most certainly is.

Boo felt like she’d been kicked in the stomach.

The fur ball licked Emily’s face.

Emily giggled and hugged him tighter. He likes me.

Look how different he looks from Boo, Jake said. Boo’s black, white, copper, and gray. She has spots of black in her gray, but the puppy doesn’t have any spots. They both have brown eyes and no tails though.

Boo stared at the fur ball. She didn't care what he looked like. She didn't even care what she looked like. How could she? Her life was ruined.

Emily glanced at Boo. Look at the puppy, Boo. You have a new friend.

Friend? This fur ball was not Boo’s friend. She stood behind Mom's legs, unwilling to greet the enemy. If she closed her eyes, would he disappear?

Let’s name him Pizza, Jake said. Since I want pizza for dinner, it’s the perfect name.

Boo licked her lips. Did someone say pizza?

Emily scrunched her nose. That’s a silly name. We need to come up with a better name than that. She tapped her head. Let me think…

Jake crossed his arms and wrinkled his eyebrows. I get to name him. You named Boo, so I get to pick the name this time. I like Pizza, so that’s what it’s gonna be.

Mom tilted her head and smiled. Jake, I hate to disappoint you, but no pizza tonight. We're having chicken and noodles. And I agree with Emily. Pizza may not be the best name for the puppy. Choose a different one.

Emily tapped Mom’s leg, looking up at her. Mom, why can’t I name him? Jake always gets his way.

Mom placed her hands on her hips and frowned. Both of you can name him. Stop arguing, and start thinking.

Dad looked over the top of his glasses, his eyebrows raised. Listen to your mother. If you keep arguing, I'll name him Freddie the Frog.

Emily giggled. Nuh-uh. We can't name him that. He's not a frog. She snickered, covering her mouth.

Dad leaned forward and tickled Emily. Well, then stop arguing, silly.

Emily squirmed and squealed. Dad! Stop!

Jake tapped his chin for a moment. Then his eyes lit up. Okay, how about Noodle then? Since we’re having noodles tonight, that would be a good name. What do you think? He looked at Emily.

She tilted her head and looked at the ceiling. Uh… I think I like it. Noodle and Boo…

Boo perked her ears. What? Noodle and Boo? It should be Boo and Noodle. After all, she was here first.

Emily looked pleased. Hmm, okay. Let’s name him Noodle.

That's a fine name, Dad said. Now, let's talk about the important stuff. He glanced back and forth between the kids. "You're both responsible for taking Noodle outside. If he has an accident, you'll both be in charge