Fenway and Hattie Read Online Free PDF Page A

something like a greeting, then her gaze drops to her feet.
    Hattie edges closer, smiling and hopeful. But when Angel does not look up, Hattie smells disappointed.
    Next thing I know, Food Lady herds everyone down the Perfect Running Surface and into the Eating Place. Except me.
    I slump down on the carpet outside the doorway. The humans gather around the table. Pretty soon, they’re all chattering, having a good time, and munching on those muffins. The warm scent of cinnamon taunts my nostrils. My eyes spot lovely crumbles near Hattie’s feet. My belly aches.
    â€œI’m hungry, too, you know,” I whine, looking at them with sad eyes. “And I sure do looooove muffins.”
    Muffin Lady and Angel glance over with puzzled faces, like they’ve never seen a starving dog before.
    Hattie grabs a muffin and starts to get up. Here it comes! I spring up in happy anticipation. I slurp my chops.
    But Muffin Lady holds out her arm, and Hattie sits back down. “Train-ing?” Muffin Lady asks.
    Food Lady and Fetch Man look embarrassed. Fetch Man shrugs. “Too-bizz-ee,” Food Lady says.
    What could it mean? It can’t be good, because Hattie has clearly given up on bringing me that muffin. Instead, she stares straight at me and leans out over her knees. “Fenn-waay,” she calls in a sweet voice.
    Whoa, is she nuts? Does she actually think I’m going to run onto that Wicked Floor? I slink back down and lower my head, my gaze firmly on my short human.
    Muffin Lady pats Hattie’s arm and nods in approval.
    Hattie holds out a chunk of muffin. “Fenn-waay,” she calls, even sweeter this time.
    That muffin looks so yummy. I sink down deeper into the cushy carpeting, my tummy empty and rumbling. This is not how My Hattie behaves. She’s supposed to bring it to me.
    It’s all so horrible. Plus, they’re having fun without me. There must be something I can do.
    I get up and wander around, trying to think. Andbefore I know it, I’m at the sliding door. Aha! Why didn’t I think of it sooner? “Hurry! Hurry!” I wail, jumping up and scratching the screen. “Somebody let me out. Right now!”
    It works! Hattie and Angel appear at my side. They open the door, and we all zoom through.
    The short humans blast down the steps, and I’m right behind them. I’m ready for fun!
    The grass is wet and puddle-y. Still no signs of other dogs, but it could be worse—at least there are no squirrels.
    Hattie and Angel have a head start, but I’m up for the chase. I’m hot on their heels as they run through the grass. Of course, I’d rather be chased than be the chaser, but sometimes it’s okay to mix things up.
    But when Hattie and Angel get to the giant tree, they stop. I get a bad feeling. Hattie points at the way-up-high leafy branches. She shows Angel the ladder-y steps on the back of the trunk.
    As I’m barreling over, Hattie starts climbing. “Come on,” she says.
    Angel smiles, but she smells hesitant.
    I leap up, pawing the bottom rung. “No fair, Hattie,” I bark. “We can’t play chase up there.”
    â€œCome on,” Hattie says again from halfway up the trunk.
    She’s obviously heading for that little squirrel house again. I collapse into the soggy grass with a groan.
    Angel sighs, then begins climbing up after Hattie.
    I’m still watching long after the short humans disappear into the leafy leaves.
    I’m about to go sniff around some more, but then my ears perk to wonderful jingly sounds. Hooray! Hooray! Dogs are coming!
    I get up and trot over to the fence. Through the slats, I see two of them romping around in the Dog Park next door. “Um, hey . . . hello,” I call.
    The dogs stop mid-romp and gallop over. “Fenway?” says the white one in her lovely voice.
    â€œI told you he’d be back,” says the Golden.
    Sure enough, it’s those same two