Badger the Mystical Mutt and the Barking Boogie Read Online Free PDF

Badger’s garden.
    But Badger was nowhere to be seen.
    Back in the lane, Badger was busy sending p-mails to all the local mutts, asking for help. He needed everyone to rally round and donate a tin of their own Buddy Bites dog food for Cheryl. So far, he’d had no response and was trying to figure out a spell for conjuring up some Buddy Bites . He walked heavily back to his garden and came nose to nose with Dodgy Dave.
    â€œOh, hello, Dodgy Dave. This is a surprise,” said Badger. “Can I help you?”
    â€œHelp me? You’ve destroyed me, you snooping meddling mutt. Why on earth would I want your help? I’m here to pick a bone with you and your prattling ways.”
    Badger stepped back as Dodgy Dave lunged forward, baring his teeth.
    He gulped when he saw his sharp fangs glisten.
    â€œDid I mention that I used to box?” snarled Dodgy Dave.
    â€œThis could get nasty,” thought Badger and quickly tapped his red-spotted neckerchief.
    â€œShow Koo Ray, Show Koo Ray ,
    Over to you, ’Chief, please save me today.”
    The knot in the neckerchief unravelled, flew towards Dodgy Dave and swirled around his head.
    Dodgy Dave looked upwards and crossed his eyes trying to focus on the speeding cloth.
    â€™Chief tied itself swiftly around Dodgy Dave’s eyes in a tight blindfold.

    Dodgy Dave shook his head and staggered, spinning full circle with his paws thrashing around him.
    â€œWhere are you? It’s all gone black.”
    â€œYou’ll see things better if you calm down and listen to me,” said Badger softly.
    â€œI can’t see anything at all,” said Dodgy Dave in a panic.
    â€œDo you promise to behave?” asked Badger.
    â€œDo I have a choice?” asked Dodgy Dave sourly.
    â€œWe always have choices,” said Badger wisely, then added, “but in this instance … no, you don’t.”
    â€œOkay then,” agreed Dodgy Dave through gritted teeth.
    â€œShow Koo Ray, Show Koo Ray, come back, ’Chief, and light the way,” said Badger
    The red-spotted neckerchief loosened itself from Dodgy Dave’s head and flew back to Badger’s neck. Badger tapped it with his paw in thanks.
    Dodgy Dave shook himself and widened his eyes in the brightness.
    â€œI can see again.”
    â€œGood, but I’d like to help you see things more clearly, Dodgy Dave.”
    â€œWhat you are talking about?”
    â€œThe red rosette from your grandfather, and how you adore dancing!”
    Dodgy Dave breathed out a long, slow sigh.
    â€œHow do you and Cheryl know about that? Thanks to you, the gang now know too, and I’ve kept that secret for so many years.”
    â€œYou mean you’ve had to hide the thing you love the most. because you’re afraid of what the others may think and do? Are you ashamed of having a dream?”
    Dodgy Dave lowered his head and whispered, “I’ve never been able to talk to anyone other than my grandpa about it. He was a champion dancer. He encouraged me to dance. Then I got in with the Boxer dogs and followed them onto the streets.”
    â€œAnd they didn’t think dancing was something fighting dogs like you should do?”
    Dodgy Dave shook his head.
    â€œSo you had to obey them?”
    Dodgy Dave nodded.
    â€œWhy?” asked Badger gently.
    â€œBecause I wanted to be like them, and be liked by them.”
    â€œI’ve seen you dance, Dodgy Dave. I’ve never seen anything like it. You have such a talent.”
    Dodgy Dave blushed.
    â€œDo you think they were right to stop you from dancing?” continued Badger.
    â€œWell, they didn’t dance,” answered Dodgy Dave.
    â€œSo, because they didn’t dance, anyone who did dance was seen as different?”
    â€œYes,” said Dodgy Dave, “different … and a bit daft.”
    â€œWas your grandfather daft, too?”
    Dodgy Dave bristled. “He wasn’t daft, he was brilliant! He