Oscar’S Renegades: Lurking in the Dark—Sonoran Danger

By Toby Mikle and Carol Meadows

What do the master illusionist Harry Houdini and a twelve-pound talking dog named Champ have in common? Theyre both great escape artists. Their similarities become clear as Champ escapes the backyard time and time again, and he convinces Oscar to seek fun and adventure.

Oscar, a tormented Dachshund, is friends with the jaw-dropping, bigger-than-life Champ. Oscar is torn between his need for adventure and his inescapable fears as they venture into the Sonoran Desert. Oscar hopes the power of friendship and the threat of loneliness will help him to become more outgoing and brave.

Champ, Oscar, and Toby the sheep dog experience escapades of almost daredevil proportions as they thirst for new challenges and gain courage each time they venture into the desert. They discover the hard way that its not always a friendly place as they face a life-changing tragedy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Feb 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781480841574

Toby Mikle

TOBY MIKLE has been passionately illustrating books for the past twenty years with more than nine hundred titles. He illustrated his first book at age fourteen for his English teacher who had written a story about a bear. His work was so well received that he soon began creating books for other teachers and friends. After a stint in the Air Force and earning a degree from a local art school, Toby began working professionally in his chosen field. Toby's books have been published in seven different countries and in many languages. His custom award-winning illustrations underscore his colorful ability to entertain the active imagination of children. You can find a portfolio of his work at: www.MyBooklllustrator.com

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Copyright © 2017 Carol Meadows.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Archway Publishing

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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.

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ISBN: 978-1-4808-4156-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-4157-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016920908

Archway Publishing rev. date: 2/8/2017

Contents

Introduction

Desert at Night

Rain Drenched Desert

Javelina Encounter

Bear Country

Floating the Gila

The Accident

Another Escapade

New Arrivals

Desert Facts

About the Author

TO

Kobe and Taylor Meadows, my beautiful, talented grandchildren. You are my inspiration and my joy.

Introduction

T his fast-paced story will not only entertain, but educate readers as well. Can these domestic animals co-exist with the harsh environment of the desert, utilizing their problem solving skills to adapt? They will need to avoid sudden encounters with the deadly javelinas, skunks and rattlesnakes. Hunger will prove to be an issue when they become stranded during one of their escapades.

Learn about desert life through the eyes of this canine trio whose loyalty, friendship and perseverance will be tested along the way. Their quest for adventures are filled with risks, danger and accomplishments.

Dogs, like humans, must make decisions and live with their choices and the consequences of their actions. The choices they make are affected by their friends, by them wanting to fit in, to be accepted, to not be scared and to risk danger to enjoy adventures.

The Arizona Sonoran Desert is wildly biodiverse and fascinating verdant desert. The desert is not only home to coyotes, rattlesnakes, squirrels, small rats but quails, doves and owls. Palo Verde and mesquite trees live there as well. Due to the extreme temperatures during the day, there is more activity at night.

Desert at Night

"O s-car, Os-car," Champ whispered into the darkened room as he entered the doggy door leading to the porch where Oscar slept.

Oscar the Dachshund, woke slowly from his sleep and whispered back to avoid waking the family.

What are you doing here Champ? If baby Benjamin wakes up, we’ll never hear the end of it.

Well it’s after 10:00. Champ said. The folks are asleep and I thought you might like to go out with me tonight.

Champ was Oscar’s friend - he was a slender dog with a smooth tan coat, straight tail and questionable pedigree! Happy-go-lucky Champ always had a smile on his face.

Oscar and Champ had lived on the same street since they were puppies. Champ lived with Wes and Kassie Meyers – his human family. Oscar yawned and blinked his eyes, looking at Champ. How did you get out of your yard? Oscar inquired.

Champclimbingfence10002Layer3.jpg

That fence around my yard stands between me and the freedom to explore the outside world. So, I decided to just walk right up and climb over it. Being very agile, makes it easy to climb. I can go anywhere whenever the desire for fun and adventure hits me.

Oscar reached up with his left paw to scratch his ear. It’s going to be dark tonight, he thinks. How are we going to see?

With the full moon, we’ll be able to see just fine. But first we’ll make one stop to see if Toby wants to come. He makes me feel safer. You remember Toby, that large sheep dog with the floppy ears?

Oscar stood up slowly from his warm bed, and headed to his water bowl to get a drink. He