Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe Page A

miraculously going to defeat the Wicked Floor, charge on in, and gobble down the food.
    Why won’t she just bring it to me?
    It’s horribly unthinkable. My Hattie’s changing like Goldie and Patches said she would. I have to get her back. I have to work harder.
    But right now I’m famished. And exhausted. I curl up for a rest.
    And then, everything changes. Hattie comes over and grabs the leash.
    I hop up. “Hooray! Hooray!” I bark, pawing her legs. “We’re going somewhere!”
    We all pile into the car. I’m so excited, I almost forgethow hungry I am. Until I get a whiff of Hattie’s backpack. Wowee! It’s loaded with treats! Good thing I’m starving!
    I lick her cheek, then stick my nose out the window as we zoom down the street. My eyes squint in the warm breeze.
    When the car stops, my tail wags out of control. Because my nose is smelling amazing familiar smells.
    We’re at that Treat Place again! Where I’m going to get treats! And see my new friends. “Come on! Come on, Hattie!” I bark, clawing the door. “Let’s get going!”
    We barrel out of the car, and I lead Hattie across the parking lot. When we get to the door, I see Lance, the Yellow Lab, from last time.
    â€œYo, dude,” he says as we politely exchange bum sniffs.
    â€œHey, Lance. What’s up?”
    â€œNo idea,” he says. And the look on his face proves it.
    Lance’s human pulls the door open, and we head inside. It’s that same big room that smells wonderful. And the same dogs from before are there with their humans. Sadie, the very round Beagle, is lying on her side like it’s nap time, while Rocky, the Basset Hound, is trying to drag his human back out the door.
    Food Lady and Fetch Man get busy chatting with the other humans. I steer Hattie around to greet my new friends. “Wake up, Sadie,” I say after sniffing under her tail. “The treats are coming, remember?”
    She raises her head with considerable effort. “Trust me, honey,” she says. “I remember. But those tasty morsels better come easier this time. I’ve had it with exertion.”
    When we get to Rocky, he’s actually shaking. “Relax,” I tell him. “There are going to be awesome treats.”
    â€œFenway, you are way too happy about this,” he says with a shudder.
    â€œWhat’s not to be happy about?” I say, hopping up and sniffing Hattie’s backpack a few more times. “Is something wrong with your ears, Rocky? I said we’re getting treats!”
    He gazes up at his human like no treat could possibly cheer him up. I can’t help but wonder why he wants to go home so badly. Does he live atop a pile of steaks?
    When the One Human strides over, the rest of the humans immediately give her their full attention. She obviously has some kind of power over them.
    Hattie takes in a deep breath. Like she’s getting ready for something.
    I’m getting ready, too. I’m leaping and leaping, pawing her legs as she unzips the backpack. Hooray! Hooray! Those treats are coming!
    My mouth waters. My tummy roars. I didn’t eat supper, but now I’m getting treats! A whole backpack full of them.
    â€œWhoopee!” I bark, dancing around Hattie’s sneakers. “I can hardly wait!”
    Hattie balls her fist and holds it over my head. “Sit, Fenway!” she says.
    I spring up wildly, sniffing like crazy. Sure enough, a tasty-smelling treat is in her hand. I know it is! “Give it to me, Hattie!” I bark. “What are you waiting for?”
    Hattie looks rattled. “Sit!” she says. “Fenway, sit!”
    â€œYippee!” I bark, jumping on her legs. I can almost reach her fist. “I can already taste that delectable treat!”
    But Hattie’s fist remains closed. With that treat still inside. “Sit, Fenway,” she says again, her eyes getting watery. “Sit!