Party Pooper: That’s Why We Invited Moo

By Mari K. Eder

Benson the miniature schnauzer has it made. He has good food, the run of the house, and a loving family all to himself. He’s the king of the doggie castle, and life is good.

But when his perfect world is invaded by Maggie, the new dog, he’s beside himself. What’s a boy to do?

Maggie is a happy, bouncy, playful little girl who loves her toys, her new people, her safe new home, and her grumpy older brother. But she’s not worried. Maggie is a girl who isn’t afraid of what she wants. She’s not worried that some might say she was pushy (and that she takes the title of “party pooper” a bit too literally).

Together, Benson and Maggie are about to share a love of adventure, cats, cookies, and travel. In this collection of almost-true and completely charming stories, they invite you along for a dog’s-eye view of their lives, filled with neighborhood ramblings, superhero rescues, new friends, and old bones.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Oct 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483418063

Book preview

Party Pooper

That’s Why We Invited Moo

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Mari K. Eder

Copyright © 2014 Mari K. Eder.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Cover art by Cheri Moland at thecardbard.com.

Coloring book pages by Edupress.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-1807-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-1806-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014916147

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 10/13/2014

For Our Best Friends

FROM THE AUTHOR

This book is about joy. It is about what a joy it is to sit with Benson on the front steps in stillness when summer is still deciding when to turn its face towards fall. My arm is around his back. His eyes are sleepy and self-satisfied. He’s with his Mama and he is a valued partner. He is happy. I’m happy.

Benson came to me at the age of eight months. Like many Schnauzers he hated to be alone and fear of abandonment was his greatest worry. He has no fears now.

Maggie came to me at age three. She is overjoyed to be in a family that considers her voice, her vote and includes her in every activity and every meal. She likes to lie on her back and throw toys into the air and with her agile paws she can hold it up and turn it around and around, chewing it on all sides. She is free to play.

Every dog and every cat needs to hear just one thing from their owners. That message is unique to each. Benson’s need is for me to tell him every day, I will never leave you. I tell him that every morning when he jumps up to lick my ears and awaken me. I tell him that every night when we go to sleep.

Maggie’s needs are different. Every day she needs to hear me reassure her, No one will ever hurt you again. I tell her that every day and each time I can see her eyes lower with relief and then gratitude. She knows now she can go to sleep without fear.

Special thanks to Mrs. Debbie Johnson, teacher at Ledgemont Elementary School in Thompson, Ohio for reconnecting and being the wonderful friend she is.

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INTRODUCTION

Benson’s book started out as monthly letters to his Grandma and Granddad in North Carolina. Later, he became penpals with Mrs. Johnson’s First Grade class at Ledgemont Elementary School in Thompson, Ohio. Benson writes to the boys and girls about things that all kids talk about. How do you keep your sister from stealing your toys? They also talk about visiting the zoo, baking cookies, secrets and favorite games. Selected letters back to Benson are included in each section.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I: MAGGIE AND BENSON SITTING IN A TREE

CHAPTER 1 A CONVERSATION

CHAPTER 2 WHAT A WHINER!

CHAPTER 3 TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE FLOWERS

CHAPTER 4 HAPPY DAYS

CHAPTER 5 EATING STONES

CHAPTER 6 BENSON’S PEN PALS

PART II: SPY WOLF ADVENTURES

CHAPTER 7 SPY WOLF ADVENTURES: THE CLUE IN THE MISSING SOUP BONE

CHAPTER 8 THE NAME IS BOND. BENSON BOND

CHAPTER 9 SPY WOLF TRADECRAFT

CHAPTER 10 THE SECRET TREASURE MAP

CHAPTER 11 SIR BARKALOT

CHAPTER 12 BENSON’S PEN PALS

PART III: GIRLFRIENDS

CHAPTER 13 ROAMING CYBERSPACE WITHOUT A LEASH

CHAPTER 14 THE HAUNTED REFRIGERATOR

CHAPTER 15 NEW GIRLFRIEND

CHAPTER 16 SWINE FLU

CHAPTER 17 SPRAINS AND PAINS

CHAPTER 18 BENSON’S PEN PALS

PART IV: HOLIDAYS

CHAPTER 19 THE HALLOWEEN PARTY

CHAPTER 20 BARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SING

CHAPTER 21 NEW BABIES

CHAPTER 22 THE PEANUT BUTTER HEIST

CHAPTER 23 THE GUILTY SUITCASE

CHAPTER 24 BENSON’S PEN PALS

PART V: BENSON AND MAGGIE B-A-R-K-I-N-G

CHAPTER 25 THE MEAN MAN

CHAPTER 26 THE GRADUATE

CHAPTER 27 BACK IN TROUBLE AGAIN

CHAPTER 28 THE CLEANEST BOY IN TOWN

CHAPTER 29 ARRESTED FOR SALT

CHAPTER 30 BENSON’S PEN PALS

AFTERWORD

PART I

MAGGIE AND BENSON SITTING IN A TREE

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CHAPTER 1

A CONVERSATION

Maggie: When does Mama come back? I want Mama! I want Auntie Debra to feed me. I’m hungry for something good.

Benson: I don’t know when they are coming back. I think they come back in 3 Sesame Streets. I want Mama too. Now, be quiet and eat your dog dinner.

Maggie: But this looks like doo doooo. And it is dog food.

Benson: You used to eat dog food every day.

Maggie: That was when I lived with the mean people. That was then. This is now. Where are they? I’m going to jump on the sofa and look out the window.

Benson: Sometimes they go away to play without us. I think they really just go shopping. But wherever they go, they make lots of dirty clothes. Have you sniffed those suitcases after they’ve been in a hot plane? Wow! They always come back though. Always. They will bring us presents too. Toys with ears.

Maggie: Mmmmm.

Benson: And tails to bite.

Maggie: Mmmmmm.

Benson: And treats! New treats. In big bags. You remember, bags with grease spots.

Maggie: Always?

Benson: Always.

Maggie: So why does the babysitter have to give us this awful dog food? It’s called Thanksgiving dinner. It doesn’t look like Thanksgiving. Is that supposed to be funny?

Benson: "Never mind. Just eat it. There are two reasons. First, you will