Mr Dog and the Kitten Catastrophe

By Ben Fogle, Steve Cole and Nikolas Ilic

A brand new young fiction series by TV broadcaster and intrepid explorer Ben Fogle, inspired by his real-life animal experiences…

Co-written with best-selling children’s author Steve Cole.

When Mr Dog meets a reckless young wildcat called Angus in the woods he soon makes an important discovery – a whole group of exotic animals are being held in captivity.

Mr Dog wants to help them – but will Angus charge in and turn a rescue into a kitten catastrophe?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Mar 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9780008408305

Ben Fogle

Ben Fogle is the author of several books including The Accidental Adventurer, The Crossing and Race to the Pole. He has presented numerous television programs, including the BBC's Animal Park, Countryfile and Extreme Dreams. Ben's sporting achievements include completing the gruelling 160-mile 'Marathon Des Sables' through the Sahara, and rowing across the Atlantic with double Olympic Gold Medallist James Cracknell, OBE.

Book preview

Chapter One

THE FOREST MONSTER

‘Help!’ came a squeak from the gloom of the forest. ‘There’s a monster coming!’

Mr Dog’s shaggy ears shot up in the air. He had come to this Welsh forest for some peace, quiet and berries (not necessarily in that order). He hadn’t expected to find a monster on the loose!

‘Help!’ came another squeak, closer now. ‘It’s catching up!’

Mr Dog was up and alert in a moment. He was a scruffy mutt, black all over save for his white muzzle and two front paws. ‘Who’s there?’ he woofed. ‘I’m Mr Dog. I’ll help if I can!’

The next moment, two tiny fieldmice came running into the forest clearing. ‘Help us, Mr Dog! Help us!’ they squealed.

Mr Dog looked down at the trembling creatures. They had brown-flecked fur and white tummies, with large ears and twitching whiskers. Their eyes were big and bright and berry-black.

‘Don’t be afraid,’ said Mr Dog. ‘What’s all this about a monster?’

‘It chased us through the woods!’ piped up one of the mice.

‘It’s furry and frightening!’ said the second. ‘We must hide!’

Before Mr Dog could woof another word, both mice had rushed beneath his black brushy tail. ‘You poor mice really are scared, aren’t you?’ murmured Mr Dog. He gulped as the sound of snapping twigs and rustling bushes grew closer. ‘But I’m a friend to all animals. And I’m sure monsters are a kind of animal too!’

Mr Dog puffed up his chest and lowered his bushy brows in the hope it made him look scarier. But his eyes widened in surprise as a stocky, stripy beast burst into the forest clearing.

It stopped at the sight of Mr Dog and stared at him with amber eyes.

At first glance, this ‘monster’ looked like a tabby kitten the size of a house cat. But its eyes were far fiercer. Its body was solid and sturdy with thick wavy stripes and powerful jaws. Its tail was thicker than a normal cat’s and had a blunt black tip.

‘Where are those two mice?’ said the cat-monster.

That’s funny, thought Mr Dog. He sounds Scottish but we’re in the middle of Wales.

‘Two mice?’ Mr Dog could feel the little rodents shivering under his tail, but kept smiling. ‘Sorry, old chap. Never heard of them. I’m Mr Dog. Who are you?’

‘I’m Angus,’ said the oversized kitten. ‘I’m a Scottish wildcat, you know.’

‘I did not know.’ Mr Dog beamed. ‘I’ve been to Scotland. I hear its wildcats are extremely rare. I certainly didn’t expect to meet one in a wet wood in Wales!’ With a quick wag of his tail, he swept some old leaves over the mice to keep them hidden, then padded over to Angus.

Angus hissed at him, revealing sharp, pointed fangs. ‘Keep back, doggy! Or I’ll …’ He trailed off, suddenly distracted. ‘Oh, hey! It’s a flappy thing.’ The wildcat watched, fascinated, as a wood warbler flitted between some branches high above. ‘Oooh, look! That flappy thing is so fast!’

Mr Dog smiled. Angus was big, but his attention span was short – he was still very much a kitten at heart!

‘If you think that bird has got some moves, Angus – watch this!’ said Mr Dog. He