Wag, You're It! Read online

  To Ethan, who is a good sport, a great animal companion, and a supercool cousin

  Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Copyright

  Max Harding ducked, scrambled, and threw. He looked to see if Lara or Miles was anywhere near where the ball would come down, but he couldn’t see a thing. A mob of players from the other team ran down the field. The Buffalo players were all huge, and they blocked Max’s view. All he could make out was the red of their jerseys.

  A moment later, Max saw a red streak burst from the crowd. A kid with a buzz cut held the football high in the air. That was it. The game was over. It was another loss for Max’s team, the Walruses. He guessed the Walruses were the worst team in the whole flag football league.

  Lara and Miles ran over, along with the rest of the team. Max took off his jersey and knelt down to pet the coach’s dog, a handsome husky named Hutch. Max only half listened to the post-game speech. Like always, the coach insisted that they had done their best and had fun. Coach said that was what it was all about. Then they all headed home.

  Lara and Miles jogged to catch up with Max as he walked toward the other side of the park. “That was a good pass,” Miles said. “I almost had it, but then one of the Buffalos batted it away.”

  “Sorry,” Max replied.

  “You don’t need to apologize,” Lara said. “We’ll get them next week.”

  Max rolled his eyes. Unless they all magically grew six inches in seven days, Max was sure next week would be just like this one.

  “Yeah,” Max said, not wanting to hurt Lara’s feelings. She always played hard. She never let the other teams get to her.

  “This is our street,” Miles said.

  “See you on Monday,” Lara added, and the twins waved before turning off.

  Max cut across the grassy meadow. As he passed a group of older kids wearing yellow jerseys, they fell into pace next to him.

  “Hey, it’s our competition for next week,” a kid with blond hair announced. Max recognized him from school. His name was Jason. He had been teammates with Max, Miles, and Lara last year. This season, he was on a different team.

  “You guys are the smallest walruses of all time,” Jason said. Max’s head barely reached the other boys’ shoulders. It was hard to believe they were in the same league. Jason and his teammates were all one or maybe two years older.

  “Yeah, but I think the walrus is the perfect mascot for your team,” one of Jason’s friends added. “Because a walrus can’t catch a ball, and you guys can’t catch either.”

  Immediately, Max pictured a giant walrus lumbering around on a slab of ice, attempting to grasp a football in its floppy flippers. Seriously. Who thought of the team names anyway? Max wondered. The other mascots were fierce animals like bulls or wolves. Why did his team have to be a blubbery sea mammal?

  The group of older boys fell silent but stuck with Max. Max wanted to say something back — something clever — but he knew it wouldn’t fix anything. Still, he wanted to defend his team. They could catch and run good plays, just not against kids who were so much bigger.

  Max wasn’t scared of Jason or the other kids, but he didn’t like the way they made him feel. He was relieved when they didn’t follow him out of the park.

  “The Bulldogs are all really scared to go up against the Walruses next week,” Jason called as Max crossed the street. “Please don’t scratch us with your long whiskers.” Max could hear the other kids laughing. He imagined one of them slapping Jason on the back, congratulating him on a good joke.

  Max was not looking forward to playing them. The Bulldogs. Max couldn’t believe such a good name was wasted on Jason and his friends. Why couldn’t Max’s team have been some dog breed? Their coach had a husky. They should have been the Huskies.

  Max loved dogs. He had always wanted one. His parents had talked about getting one a few years ago, but then he got a baby sister instead.

  As he turned down his street he noticed his mom’s minivan in the driveway, which meant she was back from the doctor. His little sister, Rina, had had a checkup. The car that his dad drove wasn’t there. Max guessed that his dad and his big brother, Kazu, were still at the soccer tournament. Since his parents had been busy with his sister and brother, Max had been on his own that morning. He liked that, most of the time.

  “Hey, Mom. Hey, Rina,” Max said as he dropped his backpack on the floor and headed straight for the kitchen.

  “Hey! How was your game?” Mom called from the other room.

  “Fine,” Max answered. He grabbed a granola bar and went back to the dinner table where Rina was finger painting. Their mom was next to her, chopping squash. Between them, the table was covered with paper, paints, books, and vegetables.

  “How was your checkup?” Max asked Rina.

  “Boo-boo,” his little sister said, pointing to a purple Band-Aid.

  Mom looked up. “It was from her shots,” she said. “You were brave, weren’t you, Rina?”

  Rina nodded twice. She had just turned two and didn’t say much, at least not much that Max could understand.

  “Max, I didn’t expect you home yet,” Mom said, glancing at him as she sliced. “I thought you were volunteering today.”

  “I am, but I wanted to drop off my stuff. And get a snack,” Max explained. He and his friends Lexi, Henry, and Sadie had just started volunteering at the local pet center. They were meeting there that afternoon.

  “Okay, because your dad is planning to pick you up from Power’s Pets later. He has a surprise for you,” she said. She looked up at him. Dimples dotted her cheeks when she smiled.

  “Yeah? What is it?” Max asked, hoping for a clue. He popped the last corner of granola bar in his mouth.

  “I’m not telling,” his mom answered, eyebrows raised. “But it’s a good one.”

  Max half skipped out the door. A surprise! He couldn’t remember the last time his parents had a surprise for him. They sometimes made a big deal about surprises for Rina, but she was only two. She got excited about a carrot.

  Max tried not to think about the surprise, but he couldn’t help it. He didn’t want to be let down. He crossed his fingers and hoped it would be a puppy. Could it be?

  He ran into his friend Lexi on the way. They walked the last few blocks to Power’s Pets together. She had Luna, her adorable black-and-brown pup, with her. As they walked along, Luna looked up at Lexi with kind, thoughtful eyes. Lexi had just adopted Luna that summer, but it seemed like they had been together forever.

  Max thought about telling Lexi about the surprise, but he didn’t want to jinx it. Still, he was curious.

  “What was it like when you first got Luna?” he asked.

  “It was great,” Lexi answered. “I was kind of nervous at first,” she added. “Mr. Power doesn’t send the pets home with just anyone. The pet center works a lot like an animal shelter, so he has to approve the new owners first.”

  “He has to approve the owners?” Max questioned.

  “He wants to make sure that the pet and owner are a good match,” Lexi explained.

  “It sounds complicated,” Max said.

  “Not really. Mr. Power just cares a lot about all the animals. There was only one puppy the day that I got Luna, but I would have known that she was the puppy for me, even if there had been a hundred there. Right, girl?” Lexi rubbed Luna’s head, and the puppy yipped. “Why do you want to know anyway?” Lexi asked.

  “Oh, just wondering,” Max said. He hoped that she
wouldn’t ask him anything else. Luckily, he heard Henry and Sadie yelling to them.

  “Hey, wait up!” Sadie’s braids bounced behind her as she ran. Henry was on his scooter. Henry and Sadie greeted Luna with lots of petting.

  “What do you think we’re going to do today?” Henry asked.

  “Whatever Mr. Power needs help with, I guess,” answered Lexi.

  “I hope we get to play with the animals,” Sadie said. “I don’t want to be stuck stacking bags of kitty litter.”

  “Um, remember last week?” Max asked. Just the week before, Mr. Power had asked them to design a new “amusement park” for the gerbil and guinea pig cages. He had all kinds of pieces they could put together. After they were done, they got to watch all the little fuzzy animals climb and spin and tunnel around.

  “That was a blast,” Henry said.

  “Yeah,” Max agreed. “I don’t think Mr. Power will have us stack kitty litter anytime soon.”

  The four friends arrived at Power’s Pets. As soon as they stepped inside, Max thought about what Lexi had said. It was obvious how much Mr. Power loved the animals there. They all seemed so happy and healthy. The large room echoed with cheerful chirps, squeaks, and yips.

  “Hello?” Max called, looking around for Mr. Power. “Hello?”

  The store grew unusually quiet. All at once, Max got the feeling that the animals were watching him. Gerbil eyes, kitten eyes, lizard eyes, all on him. Chance, the store dog, rushed up to him and pushed his chilly nose against Max’s hand. Lucky, the store cat, usually sat back and watched the store, but not today. Today, Lucky trotted up to Max and wove herself between his legs. Next, the store parrot flapped off his bar and landed on Max’s shoulder.

  “Max is here! Max is here!” the parrot repeated.

  “Wow!” Sadie exclaimed. “You’re popular today. Did you wear perfume? Maybe a little Animal Aroma?”

  “Um, I don’t wear perfume,” Max replied. He stood stiff, afraid to move. He had never had a giant bird on his shoulder before. It was cool, but he had a funny feeling something weird was going on. Chance sat by his side. Lucky continued to walk around his legs in a very sweet, reassuring way. She looked up at him, blinked her green eyes, and meowed.

  “Well, hello!” a voice boomed from the back of the store. “I was wondering when you would arrive.” Mr. Power clicked an old pocket watch shut and slipped it into one of the many pockets of his vest. “I was worried you weren’t coming. And yet I knew you were.”

  The other three kids said hello. Max just nodded, his eyebrows creased together.

  “Oh, my,” the owner of the pet store said. “It looks like I’m not the only one who is glad to see you, Max.” He chuckled. “Come along, Mango. Why don’t you perch over here?” Mr. Power held out his arm and motioned to the bird.

  Mango fluttered her green wings and flew over to Mr. Power. “Max is here,” she announced again. Only the bottom of her beak moved when she spoke.

  “The animals are all happy to see you,” Mr. Power said, looking directly at Max. “Do you have some exciting news to share?”

  Max stared at Mr. Power. Did the old man with the fishing vest know something about Max’s surprise?

  “Not really,” Max said.

  “Oh, well. The animals sometimes sense things,” Mr. Power said. “They’re clever that way.”

  Max looked down. Chance was still nudging Max’s hand with his wet nose. Lucky blinked her bright green eyes again. Maybe they did know something, but what? Even Max didn’t know what the surprise would be. After all, it was a surprise.

  “I’m so glad you are all here,” Mr. Power said to the friends. “We have twelve giant boxes of turtle food to unpack.” He paused, looking from face to face. “I’m just kidding! Our kittens and puppies would love to play today. Sadie and Henry, how about you start in the kitty corner?” He pointed toward the front window. “Max, Lexi, and Luna, why don’t you head over to the puppy pen?” He motioned to a large play area filled with cushions and toys. As soon as they got to the pen, the bell above the front door rang. “You kids go ahead. I’ll be right back. I just need to help this customer.”

  Max nodded. Lexi grabbed Max’s hand and started to tug him toward the puppies. That’s when Max saw the customer who had come into the shop. The customer was Max’s dad, and he was holding a brand-new collar and leash.

  “Dad!” Max called, hurrying over. “You’re early. I haven’t even volunteered yet.”

  “Hey, Max,” Mr. Harding said, putting his arm around Max’s shoulder. “I wanted to make sure we had plenty of time.”

  “Time for what?” Max asked hopefully. He eyed the red collar in his dad’s hand. Max could only think of one reason why his dad would have it.

  Max’s dad knelt down. Max could sense that everyone was watching: Mr. Power, Lexi, Henry, Sadie, and the animals. “So, Max,” Mr. Harding began. “Your mom and I have been thinking.” Mr. Harding paused.

  Why was his dad talking so slowly? Max couldn’t take it! “Dad, what’s that?” he asked, pointing to what his dad held in his hand.

  “Well,” his dad responded, “your grandparents sent it. It’s a collar and leash. They wanted to give you something for your new dog.”

  “What?”

  “They sent it all the way from Japan. They’re really happy for you,” his dad explained. Max’s mom was Japanese, and his grandparents still lived in Japan. Max didn’t see them very often, but they were always doing nice things for their grandkids. Buying the collar and leash was very nice, but that wasn’t the real point. Max needed to make sure he truly understood what his dad was saying.

  “You’re telling me I can get a dog?” Max asked. His dad nodded. “But you and Mom said that our house is already all kinds of crazy.”

  “We did say that, didn’t we?” Max’s dad laughed to himself. “But we changed our minds. Your sister is older now, and we think a dog will be good for you. Besides, some families are just crazier than others.”

  Max’s lip quivered a little. He was incredibly happy, so why did he want to cry? Max’s dad pulled him into a big hug and patted his back. “Thank you,” Max mumbled into his dad’s shoulder.

  Mr. Power and Max’s friends had been trying to mind their own business. Lexi couldn’t wait any longer.

  “Come on, Max,” she called from the puppy pen. “Don’t you want to see the puppies?” Max smiled at his dad and they both headed over for a look.

  “There are so many,” Lexi told them, “and they are all supercute.” Luna stuck her nose up to the pen and whimpered a friendly hello.

  Mr. Power joined them. “I think I know which one you will choose,” the owner of the pet store said.

  Four puppies toddled over: a husky with crystal-blue eyes; a bulldog with lots of sweet, saggy wrinkles on his face; a sleek black mutt with pointed ears; and a tiny beagle who looked supersmart. Max just stared. Four perfect puppies, but which one was perfect for him?

  Max had chills of excitement. He liked the idea of a husky or a bulldog. They were both tough, cool dogs, but he wasn’t sure how to pick. Which one did Mr. Power think was right for him?

  “So?” Lexi prodded.

  “What do you think, Dad?” he asked.

  “I think it’s up to you,” Mr. Harding said.

  Max didn’t say anything. He told himself he had to decide. Husky or bulldog? Just then, a fluffy golden retriever puppy crawled out of a cardboard box in the pen. The pup had a jolly grin and bright black eyes. Max thought he looked as cuddly as a teddy bear. If that puppy were his, he would call him Bear.

  “So?” Mr. Power asked.

  Max looked from the sweet golden retriever to the bulldog to the husky. “I like that one,” Max said, pointing to the golden retriever.

  “I thought you’d like Bear,” Mr. Power said with a knowing smile.

  Whoa! Max had guessed the puppy’s name, without even trying. That was weird — spooky weird. Yes, Bear was a good match for the cuddly-looking pup. St
ill, there were lots of other good names, like Sonny, or Happy, or Salami Joe. But Max didn’t think about the puppy’s name because he was too overwhelmed by the actual puppy.

  Mr. Power leaned over and lifted Bear out of the pen. “Want to hold him?” he asked.

  Max held out his hands. As soon as Mr. Power let go, Max cradled the pup in his arms and pulled him close. He had that sweet puppy smell. Bear whined happily as he pushed his front paws against Max’s chest and looked into the boy’s face. The two made eye contact, and Bear broke out in a chorus of joyful yips. When Max laughed, Bear cozied up and started to lick his face. “Not my mouth, Bear,” Max mumbled, trying to dodge the puppy’s long tongue.

  “Well, Bear likes you well enough,” Mr. Power said, clasping his hands. “How do you feel about Bear?” Mr. Power looked at Max, then Max’s dad.

  “He’s awesome,” Max replied, trying to lift his chin so it was out of the puppy’s reach.

  “Awesome sounds about right,” Mr. Harding agreed, tickling the puppy behind his ear. Bear started licking Mr. Harding’s hand, too. First he licked Max, then his dad, then Max, then his dad.

  “That’s enough, big guy,” Mr. Power said, taking Bear back into his arms. “You have plenty of time for licking, but first we have work to do. You too, Max. I need to show you Bear’s special trick,” Mr. Power explained. “Did Lexi tell you about Luna’s trick?”

  “Not exactly,” Max replied. He looked around for Lexi, but she and Luna had wandered off to look at the fish. He noticed that his dad was filling out some paperwork.

  “Well, Bear has a very special trick,” the man said as he knelt down next to the puppy. “And you have to ask him to do it in a very special way.”

  Max sat down on the floor next to Mr. Power and the puppy. Bear was still so young. Could he really do a trick on command?

  “Now watch,” Mr. Power told Max before turning his attention to Bear. The puppy tilted his head to one side and gazed at Mr. Power. “Bear, sit,” the man directed. The puppy tucked his back legs under him and sat down. “Good,” Mr. Power said. “Now wait, Bear.” Mr. Power pushed his hand in a bag and pulled out a small orange circle.