Tadcaster and the Bullies

By Richard Rutherford and Jennifer Rutherford

When Tim and Mary befriend a small dog at the playground, they are delighted as he surprises them with a very friendly smile. The children become the victims of two mean bullies, but a mysterious voice saves them. Where did it come from?
Later, when flying their kites, the siblings are once again interrupted by the bullies. Tim lets go of his kite and it begins to fly away, until the small dog catches it and then astonishes the youngsters by speaking. The children promise to keep his secret so that their new canine companion is not taken away.
After another incident with the bullies, the children find the little dog wounded and take him to the vet. The vet examines him, including his unique vocal cords, and bandages him up. Recovering and taken home by the children, the dog relates his extraordinary story and tells the children that his name is Tadcaster.
Will Tadcaster be able to stop the bullies once and for all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Release date: Nov 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781789012439

Richard Rutherford

Richard Rutherford grew up in Clitheroe, Lancashire. His career was in development finance, mainly with the World Bank Group, but as a diversion he wrote the Tadcaster story for his three children, based on the family dog of that name, who really did smile. He is retired, and lives in Maryland with his wife Jennifer and their three dogs, Cody, Lacy and Scherzo.

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Copyright © 2019 Richard Rutherford

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ISBN 978 1789012 439

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Matador is an imprint of Troubador Publishing Ltd

To all victims of bullying –

may this book encourage you to seek active help.

Contents

1

The Playground

He was a black dog with brown markings, not very large. He had a handsome, intelligent face, and one ear that folded down. The long, fine hairs of his coat were matted and messy, and it was obviously a long time since anyone had taken care of him.

Mary saw him first. He was walking near one of the large trees that surrounded the playground, watching the children playing. She saw that he was looking at her in an interested, enquiring sort of way, as though he were asking, Aren’t you going to pay attention to me?

Mary’s mother had always told her to be careful about strange dogs, because you never knew if they might bite. But this dog looked so friendly – not a bit threatening – that Mary thought it would be all right to pat him. She loved dogs and had always hoped that one day she might have a canine companion. So she went over to him and extended her hand for him to sniff. Then she patted him on the head. The dog put up his nose and tried to lick her hand, so that it was difficult for her to find the top of his head to pat.

You’re a nice dog, she said. I wonder whose pet you are? Where did you come from, and what’s your name?

Of course, the dog didn’t answer, but he did a funny thing. He smiled. Yes, he smiled, with his lips moving back in a big toothy grin, and showing a beautiful line of sharp white teeth. At first, Mary was nervous, remembering what her mother had said, because it looked as though he might be snarling – she had seen dogs show their teeth before, and that usually meant that the dog was warning you not to come too close. But this dog went on trying to find her hand to lick, and it was clear that he meant no harm. He looked so funny that Mary laughed. There he was, smiling, wagging his short tail, and doing what dogs do when they want to make friends. She was really enjoying this amusing creature.

Tim, come and look, she called to her brother. There’s a strange dog here, who’s so funny. She was laughing so much that