Mr Dog and the Faraway Fox by Ben Fogle

Author:Ben Fogle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Chapter Six

ACROSS THE ROAD OF DOOM

Mr Dog made it home and sneaked back inside the catflap without waking anyone, even the tortoises.

Shelly and Crawly’s owner, Dan, came to collect them the next morning. He had already heard talk of last night’s fox sighting.

‘Yasmin at number twenty-two told me the animal came right up to her door, bold as brass!’ Dan said. ‘She says it was ready to attack her. But she screamed and scared it off.’

What rot! thought Mr Dog, growling quietly.

Dan looked down at him. ‘She said that she also saw a dog that looked like you last night…’

Mr Dog looked up at him with his widest eyes as if to say, Who, me?

‘I’m sure it wasn’t my poorly boy here,’ said Minnah firmly. ‘He’s a hero. We’d never have found Crawly without him!’

‘That’s true.’ Dan gave Mr Dog a stroke on the head. ‘Well, Minnah, I’m going to add extra fencing round my garden and put chicken wire into the soil around it so nothing else can burrow through. My tortoises will be safe and secure from now on.’

‘A tortoise loves shell-ter,’ joked Shelly, and Crawly chortled happily.

Mr Dog gave a yap of farewell as the tortoises were taken away in their carry-cases.

Minnah saw Dan to the door, said goodbye to Shelly and Crawly, then came back to Mr Dog in the kitchen. ‘I hope it wasn’t you outside last night,’ Minnah said. ‘Still, your paw does look a little bit sore again. I think I’m going to board up the catflap, just in case.’

Mr Dog sighed. I’m a prisoner!

While he was grateful to Minnah for all she’d done, he couldn’t help but envy Ferdy roaming free in the city. He hoped the fox would stay out of trouble.

That night, he was just drifting off into dreams of chasing invisible animals down alleyways when he heard a scuffling at the catflap. His ears twitched, and a growl started to build in his furry throat.

Then he heard a quiet voice call from outside: ‘Mr Dog? It’s me, Ferdy.’

‘Ferdy!’ Mr Dog frowned and crossed quickly to the catflap. ‘My dear old chap, what are you doing?’

‘I’m pulling off the wood that’s blocking this flap in the door so you can come out.’ Ferdy was panting with excitement. ‘Old Foxy Loxie has found Ryan’s new home, here in the city. He gave me directions, and I gave him the roast chicken I buried. But I’m scared I’ll get into trouble again by myself.’ Ferdy whined softly. ‘Will you come with me?’

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