,A ,,DOG ,,CALL$ ,,KITTY
 
                   BY
             ,BILL ,WALLACE
 
 
        ,VOLUME #B ( #B ,VOLUMES
     ,BRL ,PAGES P#A-P#C & #GG-AFC
         ,PR9T ,PAGES #GG-A#AEC
 
 
       ,SPONSOR$ ,& ,PRES5T$ ,BY
        ,! ,AM]ICAN ,AC;N ,FUND1
         ,= ,BL ,*N ,& ,ADULTS1
         #AHJJ ,JOHNSON ,/REET1
       ,BALTIMORE1 ,M>YL& #BABCJ
 
 
            ,WE ,D ,? ,T ,!
             ,BL ,MAY ,R1D
 
 
              ,PRODUC$ ,AT
          ,BRL ,9T]N,NAL1 ,9C4
            ,/U>T1 ,FLORIDA         P#A
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         ,TEXT COPY"R ^C #AIHJ
            0,BILL ,WALLACE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME
 
 ^C ,COPY"R4
 ,' 7#F1 #C7 ,T]M9,N SIGN4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                    P#C
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         ,A ,,DOG ,,CALL$ ,,KITTY    #GG
 
               ,*APT] #H
 
   ,WE "ND HM ,KITTY4
   ,I DON'T RECKON X 0 A "N ANYBODY
 PLANN$ /ICK+ HM )4 ,X J HAPP5$ T E "T
 ,MAMA CALL$ ! CATS1 T PUP -E A-RUNN9'4
 ,S1 X SEEM$ ONLY NATURAL T IF 8,KITTY0
 0 ! "N HE LIK$1 T'S :AT WE CALL$ HM4
   ,MAMA FRETT$ A BIT OV] HM 2+ >.D =!
 F/ TWO WEEKS4 ,E "T %E W5T \TSIDE )!
 FE$ B[L1 %E KNEW "! 0 GONNA 2 ANO!R
 BIG FI<T4
   ,%E MADE X A PO9T 6WE> PANTS1 OR
 SLIP A PAIR ( ,DAD'S OV]ALLS ON OV] H]
 %ORTS 6MAKE SURE "O ( ^? CATS DIDN'T
 MISTAKE H] LEG =A TREE AG4
 -----------------------------------#GH
   ,KITTY 0 ALW R1L 3SID]ATE AB LETT9'
 ! CATS GET "! F/4 ,"S"TS1 ,I CD SEE HM
 WAIT+ AT ! SIDE (! B>N UNTIL \R FIVE
 CATS GOT 6! FE$ B[L4
   ,!N1 "H HE'D -E6
   ,HE 0 AT ! AGE ": HE 0 GR[+      #GG
  FA/] ?AN ANY?+ ELSE4 ,8 LEGS 7    A#GH
 L;G &1 HE "S"TS GOT 6GO+ S FA/1 HE'D
 TRIP OV] 8 BIG FEET & G TUMBL+4
   ,X DIDN'T SL[ HM M*4 ,B X DID GIVE !
 CATS W>N+ HE 0 AF !M4 ,!Y'D TAKE "O M
 M\?;L ( FOOD & LI<T \ =! TREES4
   ,I F.D \ T ,DAD _H "KN AB ,KITTY =
 "S FIVE 6SIX WEEKS1 N[4 ,HE TOLD ME HE
 SAW HM NE> ! GRA9 B9 "O "D & CD TELL
 0HIS R.D1 FAT TUMMY T "SBODY'D BE5
 FE$+ HM4 ,HE AL TOLD ME T1 "O "D :5
 ,B1UTY & ,I 7 \ =A RIDE1 HE TOOK ! PUP
 96T[N & _H ! VET GIVE HM ! %OTS HE
 NE$$4
   ,HE TOLD ME "S?+ ELSE AT D9N] "O
 NI<T T GAVE ME 3SID]A# WORRY & KEPT ME
 F SLEEP+ GD A C\PLE ( NI<TS4
   8,A BUN* (! F>M]S OV] 0,LAKE
 ,BURTS*I H G"O TGR & HIR$ A PROFES.NAL
 TRAPP]4 ,!Y'RE PUTT+ \ ?+S CALL$
 COYOTE-GETT]S 6RID !M (! COYOTES &!
 WILD DOGS T H BE5 KILL+ "S ( _! /OCK40
 -----------------------------------#GI
   8,:AT'S T80 ,I ASK$4
   ,DAD FR[N$4
    8,:AT'S :AT80                   A#GI
   8,A COYOTE-GETT]40
   8,OH10 HE NO4$4 8,WELL1 X'S A TUBE
 SORT ( ?+4 ',B\T Z BIG >.D Z A %OTGUN
 %ELL1 ONLY L;G]4 ,!Y BURY X 9 ! GR.D &
 /AKE A PIECE ( RAW M1T 6"O 5D40
   8,!N :AT80 ,I 9T]RUPT$4
   8,A COYOTE OR A DOG -ES AL;G & GRABS
 ! M1T1 FIX+ 6EAT X4 ,:5 HE DOES1 !
 /AKE T ! M1T'S ON SETS (F AN EXPLOSIVE
 *>GE AT ! BOTTOM (! 3TRAP;N4 ,X BL[S !
 POISON P[D] CALL$ CYANIDE UP 96!
 CRITT]'S FACE4 ,GETS 9 8 M\? & NOSE &
 KILLS HM1 "R QK40
   8,T S.DS L A N1T TRAP10 ,I SD4 8,BET
 !Y GET RID (A LOT ( COYOTES T WAY40
   ,DAD NO4$4 ,!N1 ,I CDN'T HELP NOTIC+
 ! /RANGE LOOK ON 8 FACE :5 HE />$ AT
 ME4
   8,X'S A GD WAY ( GETT9' RID (
 COYOTES--OR DOGS40
   ,I TILT$ MY H1D )A FR[N4 ,X TOOK ME
 A M9UTE OR TWO 6FIGURE \ :AT HE M1NT4
   8,Y M1N1 L ,KITTY80
   ,HE LOOK$ R1L SOLEMN :5 HE       #GI
  NO4$ 8 H1D4                       B#GI
   8,T'S "R1 SON4 ,T PUP ( YRS IS ALW
 LOOK9' =A FREE M1L4 ,Y & HM & YR HORSE
 H BE5 RANG+ PRETTY F> F HOME4 ,WON'T 2
 L;G
 -----------------------------------#HJ
 2F Y />T RUNN+ 9 6!M COYOTE-GETT]S4
   8,I'M TELL9' Y AB !M = TWO R1SONS4
 ,F/ (F1 ,I DON'T WANT Y FOOL+ >.D )
 !M4 ,Y /UM# OV] "O OR G 6TU7+ >.D1
 TRY+ 6SEE :AT !Y LOOK L1 Y J Z LIA# Z
 A COYOTE 6GET A FACE;L ( POISON4 ,Y C
 USU,Y SPOT ": !Y >E 'CAUSE ! TRAPP]S
 PUT \ A /AKE )A R$ RI2ON ON !M "SPLACE
 NE> ! TRAP4 ,Y SEE A PIECE ( RI2ON L
 T1 Y /E] CLE>1 "U/&80
   8,YES1 SIR40 ,I CD TELL 0HIS VOICE T
 ,DAD WASN'T FOOL9'4
   ,HE K9DA CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT & W5T ON4
 8,ONLY TR\# IS1 ,I C'T EXPLA9 ! /UFF
 AB ! RI2ON 6,KITTY4 ,T PUP ( YRS F9DS
 HMF A PIECE ( FREE M1T1 HE WDN'T BO!R
 6LOOK & SEE IF "! 0 A FLAG >.D4 ,HE'D
 J GRAB X & 5D UP GETT9' HMF KILL$40
   ,I SANK D[N 9 MY *AIR4 ,BIT AT MY
  LIP4                              A#HJ
   8,WE CD /AY CLOS] 6! H\SE10 ,I SD4
 8,J RIDE ON \R PLACE & /E] CLE> (!
 NEI<BORS40
   ,DAD NO4$4
   8,Y1H4 ,B T WON'T KEEP ! PUP F W&]+4
 ,A F;E DON'T M1N NO?+ 6A DOG4 ,ONCE
 S*OOL />TS1 HE'S GONNA W&] \ ON 8 [N
 TRY+ 6F9D "S?+ 6D UNTIL Y -E HOME40
   ,DAD K9DA SAT BACK 9 8 *AIR4 ,FR[N$
 &
 -----------------------------------#HA
 SCRAT*$ AT 8 *9 L HE 0 ?9K+ H>D ON
 "S?+4
   8,MI<T N HURT IF WE FIX$ UP A P5
 6PUT HM 9 :5 S*OOL />TS40
   ,I 0 UP ON ! $GE ( MY *AIR4
   8,I BET X'D "W1 ,DAD4 ,I'LL HELP Y
 BUILD X40
   ,X S.D$ L A GD IDEA4 ,WE TOLD ,MAMA
 'B\T X1 & %E AGRE$4 ,"EYBODY ?"\ X 0
 "R SM>T4
   ,"EYBODY EXCEPT ,KITTY4
 
   ,DAD & ,I _H ! P5 F9I%$ 0! F/    #HA
  "D ( S*OOL4 ,X 0 AB SIX ?IRTY     A#HA
 :5 ,I _H 6GET UP4 ,! S*OOL BUS CAME F
 ,*ICKA%A AB SEV5 ?IRTY1 & ,I WANT$
 6GIVE MYF PL5TY ( "T 6GET ,KITTY 9 !
 P5 & MAKE SURE HE 0 ALL "R 2F ,I LEFT4
   ,KITTY 0 EASY 5 6CAT*4 ,HE ALW CAME
 :5 ,I CALL$ HM4 ,B :5 ,I OP5$ ! GATE
 6PUT HM 9 ! P51 X 0 A DI6]5T /ORY4
   ,! CAGE 0 MADE \ ( HOG WIRE4 ,WE PUT
 X UP ) F;E PO/S & SLO%$ CE;T >.D !
 BOTTOM S ,KITTY CDN'T DIG \4 ,X 0 AB
 SIX FEET SQU>E & _H A B>REL )A HOLE
 CUT 9 "O 5D NE> ! BACK (! P54 ,I'D
 /U6$ ! B>REL ) FRE%1 CL1N HAY S ,KITTY
 CD MAKE HMF A B$4
   ,:5 HE F9,Y FIGUR$ ,I 0 TRY+ 6/UFF
 HM
 -----------------------------------#HB
 96T P51 HE ?REW A REGUL> WALL-EY$ FIT4
 ,HE />T$ SQUALL+ & TWI/+ >.D1 L ,I 0
 TRY+ 6KILL HM4 ,HE Y[L$ & JUMP$1 TRY+
 6GET AWAY4
   ,I LAT*$ ONTO 8 E> & HUNG ON = DE>
 LIFE4 ,=A M9UTE1 ,I FIGUR$ HE 0 GONNA
 YANK AWAY & ,I'D 2 /&+ "!1 HOLD+ 8 E>4
  ,ONLY ,KITTY'S E>S 7 A MITE       A#HB
 S5SITIVE S1 AF A BIT M JUMP+ & TRY+
 6YANK AWAY1 HE W5T 6:IMP]+ & SETTL$
 D[N4
   ,I %OV$ HM 9SIDE ! P5 ) MY FOOT &
 LAT*$ ! GATE4
   ,! LOOK HE GAVE 0 "O ( ^? ?+S ,I'LL
 N"E =GET4 ,X 0 L ,I 0 8 BE/ FR &1 ALL
 (A SU451 ,I'D D\#-CROSS$ HM4 ,/A2$ HM
 9 ! BACK1 OR KICK$ HM 9 ! TEE?1 J :5
 HE 0 TRU/+ ME ) ALL 8 HE>T4
   ,HE :IMP]$ & :9$1 BE7+ ME 6LET HM \4
 ,I KNEW ,I CDN'T1 ?\<1 S ,I WALK$ (F4
 ,8 Y[L+ & :9+ FOLL[$ ME 6! H\SE4 ,& AF
 ,I GOT MY /UFF = S*OOL1 ,I CD / HE> HM
 BE7+ ME 6LET HM \1 ALL ! WAY 6": ,I
 MET ! BUS4
 
   ,G5],Y1 ! F/ "D ( S*OOL IS A PRETTY
 EXCIT+ ?+4 ,NEW FRS 6MAKE4 ,OLD BU4IES
 F LA/ YE> 6TALK 6& PLAY ) AT RECESS4
 ,NEW T1*]S
 -----------------------------------#HC
 6TRY & FIGURE \1 SEE :AT K9D ( /UFF
 !Y'LL LET Y GET AWAY )4            #HC
    ,FIF? GRADE 0 EV5 M EXCIT+      A#HC
 ?AN LA/ YE>4 ,9 ,*ICKA%A1 ALL ! FIF? &
 SIX? GRAD]S G 6,9T]M$IATE ,S*OOL4 ,&
 9/1D ( J "O T1*]1 WE _H SIX4 ,J AB !
 "T ,I'D GET SETTL$ 9 A ROOM1 GET GD &
 RELAX$1 ! BELL WD R+1 & ,I'D H 6GRAB
 ALL MY BOOKS & G HUNT+ MY NEXT CLASS4
   ,BRAD & ,I DIDN'T H ANY CLASSES TGR
 9 ! MORN+4 ,I DID SEE HM 9 ! HALL
 ONCE4 ,WE ONLY _H A SECOND OR TWO
 6TALK4 ,X 0 L;G 5 6F9D \ T WE _H LUN*
 P]IOD AT ! SAME "T4 ,WE AGRE$ T :O"E
 GOT 9 ! LUN*ROOM F/ WD SAVE ! O!R A
 S1T4
   ,I 0 MI<T NE> BU/+ AT ! S1MS 6TELL
 ,BRAD AB MY NEW DOG4
   8,Y'RE KI49'60 ,HE ALM *OK$ ON !
 BUTT]$ ROLL4
   ,I SMIL$4 ,HELD MY %\LD]S BACK1 R1L
 PR\D ( MYF4
   8,NO4 ,I RE,Y D4 ,8 "N'S ,KITTY40
   ,BRAD'S EYES SCRUN*$ UP TI<T1 /UDY+
 ME4 ,HE _H ! GD MANN]S 6F9I% SWALL[+ 8
 ROLL 2F HE />T$ 9 AG4
   8,Y'RE KI49'10 HE REP1T$4
    ,I %OOK MY H1D4                 B#HC
 -----------------------------------#HD
   8,NO4 ,H"O/40
   8,":'D HE -E F8 ,YR DAD BUY HM = Y8
 ,H[ L;G Y _H HM8 ,:Y'D Y "N HM ,KITTY8
 ,:AT K9D IS HE8 ,H[ BIG '''0
   ,0! "T ,I GOT ALL 8 "QS ANSW]$ &
 3V9C$ HM ,I H"O/LY _H A DOG1 ! RECESS
 BELL RANG1 & X 0 "T = U 6H1D 6CLASS
 AG4
   ,J \TSIDE ! DOOR1 ,BRAD /OPP$4 ,"! 0
 A SPECIAL K9DA LOOK 9 8 EYES4 ,A SMILE
 T MADE ME FEEL SORTA W>M 9SIDE4
   8,I KNEW Y W]5'T A C[>D10 HE SD4 8,I
 KNEW1 ONCE Y SET YR M9D 6X1 Y'D GET
 OV] 2+ SC>$40
   ,HE DREW BACK & SLU7$ ME ON ! %\LD]4
   8,SAVE ME A PLACE AT LUN* TM10 HE
 CALL$ Z HE 4APPE>$ 96! CR[D PU%+ "? !
 DOOR4
   ,! W>M1 PR\D FEEL+ ,I _H LA/$ CLE>
 "? ! NEXT CLASS4 ,B1 DUR+ SOCIAL
 /UDIES1 ,I GOT 6?9K+ AB ,KITTY & T
 HURT LOOK ON 8 FACE :5 ,I LEFT ?
 MORN+4 ,KEPT HE>+ 8 :9+1 BE7+ ME   #HE
  6LET HM -E AL;G4                  A#HD
   ,*.ES W]E1 HE WDN'T 2 V HAPPY 6SEE
 ME :5 ,I GOT HOME4 ,HE MI<T N WANT
 ANY?+ 6D ) ME AF ! WAY ,I TR1T$ HM ?
 MORN+4
   ,AF A :ILE1 ,I MADE MYF D[N"R MIS]A#
 WORRY+ AB HM N LIK+ ME ANYMORE4
 -----------------------------------#HE
   ,:5 ! BUS /OPP$ ON ! ROAD 9 FRONT (
 MY H\SE1 ,I F.D \ "!'D BE5 NO NE$
 6WORRY AB MY PUP4
   ,HE 0 WAIT+ = ME 0! W9DMILL4 ,8 TAIL
 0 WA7+ CL1N UP 6HIS L;G FLOPPY T;GUE4
 ,HE CAME B\NC+ 6GREET ME4 ,JUMP$ UP S
 H>D X ALM KNOCK$ ! W9D \ ( ME4
   8,H['D Y GET \80 ,I DEM&$4
   ,KITTY ONLY SLOPP$ ME ACR ! H& ) 8
 WET T;GUE4 ,I RU2$ 8 E>S & PU%$ HM
 BACK4
   8,I'M GLAD Y DIDN'T GET 96ANY ( T
 POISON ,DAD 0 TALK+ AB4 ,H['D Y GET
 \80
   ,HE JUMP$ UP ON ME AG4 ,I LAU<$4 ,HE
 MADE X A REGUL> GAME1 JUMP+ UP & ME
 PU%+ HM BACK S HE CD JUMP ON ME AG4
    ,I 0 GLAD 6"K T HE'D =GIV5 ME   A#HE
 = PUTT9' HM 9 ! P54 ,B ,I 0 SURE
 CURI\S H[ HE GOT \4
   ,:5 WE GOT BACK 6,KITTY'S P51 ,DAD 0
 "!4 ,HE 0 /&+ ON A LA4]1 PUTT+ "S NEW
 F;E ON ! TOP (! CAGE4
   8,Y "ND T PUP ( YRS GD & PROP]10 HE
 *UCKL$ :5 WE WALK$ UP4 8,HE DOESN'T
 ONLY -E :5 Y CALL ,8,"H ,KITTY1
 KITTY40' ,HE CLIMBS BETT] ?AN MO/ (!
 CATS WE GOT4 ,I PUT HM BACK 9 ? P5
 ?REE "TS AF Y LEFT1 & EA* "T HE CLIMB$
 "R \40
 -----------------------------------#HF
   8,Y M1N OV] ! TOP80 ,I WOND]$1 LOOK+
 AT H[ HI< ! F;E WAS4
   ,DAD NO4$4
   8,T'S "R4 ,?9K ?IS'LL HOLD HM1 ?\<40
   ,DAD TI$ ! LA/ /R& ( WIRE 9 PLACE4
 ,N[ ! CAGE _H A TOP ON X4 ,I KNEW "!
 WASN'T ANY WAY = ,KITTY 6GET \ -E TM4
   ,ONLY TM1 HE DUG \ "U ! CE;T WE P\R$
 >.D ! BOTTOM (! P54 ,! "D AF T1 HE
 KEPT JUMP+ ON ! GATE TILL HE J>R$ !
 LAT* LOOSE4 ,& ,FRI"D1 HE GNAW$    #HG
  "? ! L1!R /RAP ,DAD _H HM TI$     A#HF
 UP )4
   8,X'S NO USE10 ,DAD TOLD ME E>LY
 ,SATUR"D MORN+4 8,WE'VE TRI$ "EY?+ ,I
 C ?9K ( 6KEEP T PUP ( YRS IN4 ,GUESS
 WE'LL J H 6GIVE UP4 ,HOPE HE DOESN'T
 GET 96ANY (! POISON ! F>M]S GOT SPR1D
 >.D40
   ,I CDN'T >GUE ) ,DAD AB T4 ,"! J
 WASN'T ANY WAY 6KEEP ,KITTY P5N$ UP4
 ,) ALL ! R$ FLAGS ,I SAW :5 ,B1UTY &
 ,I W5T RID+ ,SATUR"D AFN1 T 2GAN
 6WORRY ME PL5TY4
   ,DAD _H SD ! R$ RI2ONS M>K$ ! PLACES
 ": ! COYOTE-GETT]S 7 PLANT$4 ,"S ( !M
 7 "R UP AG/ ! F;E 6\R PLACE4
   ,ONCE1 AF WE'D BE5 RID+ = AB TWO
 H\RS & 7 H1D$ HOME1 ,I CAU<T ,KITTY
 SNI6+ >.D ": "O ( !M 0 SET4 ,B1UTY &
 ,I _H
 -----------------------------------#HG
 6PRACTIC,Y RUN OV] HM 6GET HM AWAY F
 X4
   ,I / TOLD MYF ,I HAT$ DOGS4 ,ONLY1
 ,I N"E RE,Y C.T$ ,KITTY Z A DOG4 ,I _H
  -E 6?9K Q A BIT ( MY SCRA7LY      A#HG
 PUP4 ,& ,I J KNEW IF ,I DIDN'T -E UP )
 "S?+ SOON1 X 0 ONLY A MATT] ( "T 2F HE
 GOT 6SNOOP+ >.D "O ( ^? TRAPS & GOT
 HMF KILL$4
   ,I DIDN'T LOVE HM1 B ,I DIDN'T WANT
 MY PUP 6GET KILL$1 EI4
 --------------------------------#HH-HI
               ,*APT] #I
 
   ,X 0 A WEEK LAT]1 AT SUPP]"T1 :5 ,I
 F9,Y CAME UP )A PLAN = KEEP+ ,KITTY
 AWAY F ! POISON M1T4
   ,*UCKIE 0 SITT+ 9 8 *AIR ACR F ME4
 ,HE 0 FIVE1 N[4 ,& HE'D BE5 TRY+ 6ACT
 R1L GR[N UP S9CE HE />T$ K9D]G>T5 ?
 YE>4 ,HE DIDN'T SQU1L & :9E L :5 HE 0
 LL4 ,8 TA# MANN]S 7 BETT]1 TOO4 ,HE
 DIDN'T SLOP >.D 9 8 FOOD ANYMORE1 &
 X'D BE5 WEEKS S9CE HE'D TURN$ 8 DR9K
 OV] & SPLA%$ X ACR ! TA#4
   ,I WASN'T PAY+ HM M* ATT5;N ? EV5+1
 'CAUSE ,I 0 / FIGUR9' ON A WAY
 6PROTECT MY PUP4
                                    #HI
    ,!N1 ALL (A SU451 ,*UCKIE SET    #IJ
 UP A H[L L ,I _HN'T HE>D S9CE HE 0
 ?REE4 ,HE W5T 6SCR1M+ & CRY+ L HE 0 AB
 6DIE4
   ,2F ANYBODY KNEW :AT 0 HAPP5+1 HE
 TURN$ 8 PLATE OV]4 ,SPILL$ MILK 9 !
 MA%$ POTATOES & LIK$ 6YANK$ ! TA#CLO?
 (F ! TA# :5 HE JUMP$ UP4
   ,HE W5T SCR1M+ "? ! H\SE4 ,MAMA TOOK
 A BIG SC>E1 SEE+ HM ACT L T4 ,S1 %E
 TOOK \ AF HM1 TRY+ 6CAT* HM 6SEE :AT 0
 WR;G4
   ,X SC>$ ME "S1 TOO4 ,EV5 IF HE 0 MY
 LL BRO!R1 ALW GETT+ 96MY /UFF & MESS9'
 UP MY ROOM1 EV5 IF HE N"E M9D$ ME :5
 ,I TOLD HM 6D "S?+1 L ,I SD1 HE 0 / MY
 BRO!R4 ,& ,I CD TELL 0! WAY HE 0 CRY+
 T HE 0 HURT4 ,F ! FUSS HE 0 SETT9' UP1
 ,I 0 AFRAID HE 0 HURT BAD1 EV5 ?\< ,I
 DIDN'T "K :AT HURT HM4
   ,DAD 0 WORRI$1 TOO4 ,WE GOT UP &
 />T$ (F AF ,MAMA & ,*UCKIE4 ,MAMA *AS$
 HM >.D ! H\SE1 TWICE1 2F %E F9,Y CAU<T
 UP ) HM4
   ,HE 0 HURT & SQU1L+ MAD4 ,KICK+ &
  CRY+ & TRY+ 6HOLD ONTO ,MAMA =    A#IJ
 -=T4 ,DAD & ,I GA!R$ >.D !M4
   ,X TOOK ,MAMA A L;G "T 6PET & LOVE
 HM TILL HE CALM$ D[N4
 -----------------------------------#IA
   8,:AT IS X1 ,*UCKIE80 %E KEPT ASK+4
 8,":'S MY LL BOY HURT8 ,:AT'S WR;G80
   ,F9,Y1 ,*UCKIE CALM$ D[N 5 T HE
 CAU<T 8 BR1?4 ,)A %AK+ H&1 HE PO9T$ AT
 8 M\?4
   8,X'S HOT10 HE CRI$4 8,"S?9' R1L
 HOT40
   ,MAMA FR[N$ AT ,DAD4 ,& ,DAD FR[N$
 AT ME4 ,I %RU7$1 N "K+ :AT ,*UCKIE
 M1NT1 EI4
   8,HOT60 ,*UCKIE :9$ AG4
   ,DAD SLAPP$ HMF ON ! LEG4
   8,:Y T LL ?IEF10 HE SD4 8,I BET HE
 '''0
   ,DAD N"E F9I%$ 8 S5T;E4 ,HE TURN$ &
 TROTT$ (F =! KIT*54 ,I FIGUR$ HE 0 ON
 6"S?+1 S ,I FOLL[$4 ,MAMA1 / FUSS9' &
 MAK+ OV] ,*UCKIE1 PICK$ HM UP & FOLL[$
 U1 TOO4
   ,DAD 0 9 ! KIT*5 :5 WE F.D HM4   #IA
  ,MAMA & ,I KEPT LOOK+ AT EA*      A#IA
 O!R1 R1L PUZZL$ L4 ,DAD 0 DI79' "? !
 GOOEY MESS ( MA%$ POTATOES & MILK 9
 ,*UCKIE'S PLATE4 ,ALL AT ONCE1 HE LET
 \ A SLY *UCKLE4 ,SLAPP$ 8 LEG4
   8,J :AT ,I FIGUR$4 ,LOOK "H40
   ,MAMA & ,I FR[N$4 ,HE HELD UP A B"R1
 GRE5 COLOR$ LL ?+4 ,%OOK X BACK & =?4
   8,T LL SCAMP M/ H R1*$ OV] 9 MY
 PLATE & SWIP$ ? :ILE ,I WASN'T
 WAT*9'40
 -----------------------------------#IB
   ,MAMA TILT$ H] H1D4
   8,:AT IS X80
   ,DAD LAU<$4
   8,HOT PEPP]40
   8,HOT PEPP]10 %E SQUAWK$4 8,WELL1 NO
 WOND] '''0
   ,*UCKIE 0 / :IMP]+4 ,:5 HE SAW !
 GRE5 PEPP] ,DAD 0 HOLD+ UP1 8 EYES GOT
 R1L BIG & HE />T$ CRY+ AG4
   8,HOT60 HE -PLA9$4
   ,I FELT MY FACE K9DA WR9KLE UP )
 SYMPA?Y =! LL FELLA4 ,I'D LAT*$ ONTO
 "O ( ,DAD'S HOT PEPP]S 2F1 BACK :5 ,I
  0 "Y] & DIDN'T "K BETT]4 ,I CD    A#IB
 / REMEMB] ! BURN+1 L ,I'D SWALL[$ A
 M\?;L ( FIRE4 ,T ?+ BURN$ CL1N F MY
 LIPS 6! BOTTOM ( MY /OMA*4
   ,DAD TOOK ,*UCKIE F ,MAMA4 ,HE HELD
 HM "U ! >MS & K9DA PIT*$ HM 9 ! AIR A
 C\PLE ( "TS4
   8,-E ON1 SON4 ,I "K :AT'LL TAKE C>E
 ( T OLD PEPP]40
   ,HE GOT ,*UCKIE A PIECE ( BR1D &A
 GLASS ( MILK4 ,:5 HE'D GOB#D T D[N1
 ,DAD GOT ! ICE CR1M \ (! FREEZ]1 & WE
 ALL _H A B[L4
   ,:5 WE'D F9I%$1 ,MAMA />T$ SCRAP+ !
 SCRAPS (F \R PLATES 96! B[LS 6FE$
 ,KITTY &! CATS4
   8,BE SURE Y GET ! RE/ ( T PEPP] \ (
 -----------------------------------#IC
 ,*UCKIE'S PLATE10 ,DAD W>N$4 8,^? CATS
 W G CLIMB+ UP E TREE 9 ! C.TRY IF !Y
 CAT* HOLD ( T PEPP]40
   ,T'S :5 ! IDEA HIT ME4
   ,I FELT MY EYES K9DA POP WIDE OP54
 ,!N A SMILE TU7$ AT ! CORN]S ( MY M\?4
   8,HEY1 ,DAD4 ,C ,I H A C\PLE (   #IC
  YR PEPP]S80                       A#IC
   ,DAD FR[N$4 ,L1N$ 8 H1D WAY 6! SIDE4
   8,Y M/A =GOT ! LA/ "T Y TRI$ "O (
 ^?1 ,RICKY4 ,Y ACT$ MI<T NE> L
 ,*UCKIE4 ,D.ED >.D ! H\SE = T5 M9UTES1
 Y[L+ & -PLA9+ H[ HOT YR M\? WAS40
   8,I REMEMB]1 ,DAD4 ,ONLY X'S N =
 ME40
   ,HE TILT$ 8 H1D ! O!R WAY4
   8,:AT D Y WANT 'EM =80
   ,I SMIL$4
   8,KITTY40
   ,MAMA TURN$ AWAY F ! S9K ": %E 0 DO+
 ! DI%ES4
   8,T PUP'S GOT M S5SE ?AN 6EAT "O (
 ^? ?+S40
   8,N IF ,I WRAP X UP 9 "S HAMBURG]
 M1T10 ,I ANSW]$4 8,! WAY HE GOB#S 8
 FOOD1 HE WDN'T EV5 /OP 6SNIFF X40
   ,DAD %OOK 8 H1D4
   8,T'S MI<TY CRUEL 6PULL ON T PUP10
 HE SD /]NLY4
   8,WE'VE ALW TRI$ 6T1* Y 6BE K9D TO
 
 
  ANIMALS10 ,MAMA JUMP$ IN4 8,A      #ID
 TRICK L T ISN'T "R4 ,X'S '''0
   ,I WAV$ MY H&1 TRY+ 6CUT !M (F4
   8,X IS A MI<TY CRUEL ?+ 6D10 ,I
 AGRE$4 8,ONLY X'S N A TRICK4 ,X'S
 S]I\S BUSI;S40
   ,DAD FOLD$ 8 >MS ACR 8 /OMA*4
   8,J :AT D Y M1N1 ,8,S]I\S BUSI;S80'0
   ,I L1N$ ACR ! TA#4 ,TWI/$ ,DAD'S J>
 ( HOT PEPP]S 9 MY H&S4
   8,Y "K H[ Y 7 TELL+ ME AB ^? TRAPP]S
 BAIT+ !M COYOTE-GETT]S ) RAW M1T80
   8,Y1H40
   8,WELL1 ,I 0 J ?9K+4 ,WE C'T KEEP
 ,KITTY 9 A P5 OR TI$ UP4 ,X'S J A
 MATT] ( "T 2F HE F9DS HM "S ( T M1T &
 GETS 9 ! TRAPS1 "R80
   ,DAD NO4$4
   8,I'M AFRAID S40
   ,I FELT MY SMILE GETT9' BI7]4
   8,WE C'T KEEP HM F ROAM+ >.D1 B :AT
 IF WE CD KEEP HM F MESS9' )! M1T HE
 F9DS >.D ^? TRAPS80
   ,DAD'S FR[N SU45LY *ANG$ 6A GR9 :5
 HE FIGUR$ \ :AT ,I 0 TALK+ AB4     #IE
    8,Y M1N1 SET \ "S M1T = HM &    A#ID
 LOAD X ) HOT PEPP]S80
 -----------------------------------#IE
   ,I NO4$4
   8,YES4 ,!N1 :5 HE EATS X1 HE'LL GET
 A DOSE ( :AT ,*UCKIE GOT4 ,MAYBE1 T
 WAY1 HE WON'T 2 EAT+ M1T & /UFF UN.S
 X'S 9 8 B[L40
   ,DAD TOOK ! J> ( HOT PEPP]S & LAID
 TWO ( !M ON A PLATE4
   8,S.DS L X J MI<T "W4 ,WOR? A TRY1
 ANYH[40
   ,I TOLD ,MAMA 6WAIT A :ILE 6CALL !
 CATS 6EAT4 ,I TOOK ! F/ WAD ( HAMBURG]
 & LAID X NE> ! PA? ,KITTY ALW TOOK :5
 HE CAME RUNN+ F ! B>N = 8 FOOD4 ,!
 SECOND "O1 ,I LAID \ 0,B1UTY'S P54 ,I
 KNEW ,KITTY'D F9D X "! :5 ,B1UTY & ,I
 W5T RID+ LAT] ? EV5+4
   ,DAD FIGUR$ ,KITTY MI<T GET WISE 6!
 HAMBURG]1 S HE _H ,MAMA CUT UP "S RAW
 /1K & WE LOAD$ X ) PEPP]S1 TOO4
   ,KITTY DID J L WE FIGUR$4
   ,MAMA BANG$ ! PANS TGR & YELL$1
 8,"H1 KITTY1 KITTY1 KITTY40
    ,I CD SEE HM WAIT+ 0! $GE (!    A#IE
 B>N4 ,HE /OOD "!1 J L ALW1 WAIT+ =!
 CATS 6-E 6! H\SE F/4 ,MAMA _H BE5 FE$+
 !M ON TOP (! SCRE5$-IN BACK POR*4 ,B
 ,I FIGURE ,KITTY 0 / PLANN+ = !M 6GET
 96HIS FE$ B[L1 & HE WANT$ 6GIVE !M !
 *.E 6GET "! F/ S HE CD RUN 'EM (F4
 -----------------------------------#IF
   ,! CATS KNEW 8 TRICKS1 ?\<4 ,S1 :5
 HE SAW !M CLIMB+ UP ON ! SCRE5 6GET ON
 TOP (! POR* ": _! [N B[L WAS1 HE CAME
 ON 6! H\SE4
   ,! BALL ( HAMBURG] M1T 0 SITT9' 2S !
 PA? T L$ F ! B>N 6! BACK GATE4
   ,AT F/1 ,I ?"\ ,KITTY 0 GONNA IGNORE
 ! M1T4 ,!N1 AF HE'D PASS$ X1 HE CAME
 6A SCREE*+ /OP4 ,SNI6$ ! AIR A C\PLE (
 "TS & TURN$ BACK4
   ,SURE 5\<1 HE F.D ! HAMBURG]4 ,HE
 GRA2$ X4 ,K9DA PIT*$ X 9 ! AIR & OP5$
 8 M\? R1L BIG4 ,GULP$ X D[N )\T H>DLY
 *EW9'4 ,!N1 6MY SURPRISE1 HE CAME
 TROTT9' ON 6! H\SE L NO?9' :ATSO"E 0
 WR;G4
   ,)A FR[N1 ,I SCRAT*$ AT MY       #IG
  H1D4                              A#IF
   8,Y RECKON ! PEPP] FELL \ '=E HE GOT
 X80
   ,DAD ONLY SMIL$4
   8,J GIVE X "T4 ,T ?+ J HASN'T HIT
 BOTTOM1 YET40
   ,KITTY SQUEEZ$ "U ! GATE4 ,HE TOOK A
 LOOK >.D 6MAKE SURE "! W]5'T ANY CATS
 )9 R1*1 !N HE TROTT$ ON 6HIS FE$ B[L4
   ,ALL AT ONCE1 HE /OPP$ D1D 9 8
 TRACKS4
   ,8 FLOPPY E>S P]K$ UP1 ALM /RAI<T
 OV] 8 H1D4 ,!N1 HE D\#D OV]4 ,LOOK$ 2T
 8
 -----------------------------------#IG
 FRONT LEGS1 L 6SEE IF "! 7 ANTS OR
 "S?9' *EW9' ON 8 BELLY4
   ,T HOT PEPP] M/ H RE,Y HIT HM1 !N4
   ,HE />T$ %AK+ 8 H1D4 ,DI79' AT 8 M\?
 ) BO? PAWS L HE'D GOT HM A M\?;L (
 BUM#BEES4 ,HE W5T 6H[L9' & YELP9'4
 ,JUMP+ UP 9 ! AIR & TURN+ A -PLETE
 CIRCLE 2F HE HIT ! GR.D4
   ,I FELT SORRY = HM4 ,B EV5 FEEL9'
 SORRY = HM1 ,I _H 6SLAP MY H& OV] MY
  M\? 6KEEP F LAU<+ AT ! WAY HE 0   A#IG
 ACT+4
   ,HE'D FLOP OV] ON 8 BACK ) 8 FEET
 KICK9' 9 ! AIR4 ,!N HE'D JUMP UP & />T
 TURN+ CIRCLES4 ,ALL (A SU45 HE'D FALL
 OV] & />T PAW9' AT 8 M\? AG4 ,Y[L9' &
 H[L9' ALL ! "T4
   ,DAD 0 D\#D OV] LAU<+4 ,MAMA K9DA
 GOT ONTO BO? ( U1 SAY9' H[ M1N WE 7 6T
 POOR OLD PUP4 ,B ALL ! "T %E 0 SCOLD+
 U1 ,I CD SEE T K9DA TW9KLE 9 H] EYE &!
 WAY %E _H 6FI<T ! CORN]S ( H] M\?
 6KEEP F SMIL+4
   ,X WASN'T L;G '=E ,MAMA TOOK P;Y ON
 HM4 ,%E W5T 9SIDE & CAME BACK )A BIG
 BUCKET FULL ( WAT]4
   ,KITTY 0 / PIT*9' & REEL9' >.D4 ,B
 :5 HE SAW ! WAT] BUCKET1 HE CAME ON !
 RUN4
   ,9 ALL MY "DS1 ,I N"E SAW AN ANIMAL
 DR9K S
 -----------------------------------#IH
 M* WAT]4 ,HE M/ H /OOD "! ) 8 L;G1
 FLOPPY T;GUE 9 T BUCKET = ?IRTY
 M9UTES4 ,HE'D /OP N[ & !N 6CAT*    #II
  8 BR1?1 !N HE'D G "R BACK         A#IH
 6DR9K+4
   ,:5 HE 0 "?1 ,I CD SWE> ,I HE>D 8
 /OMA* SLO% Z HE WALK$4
 
   ,X TOOK HM ?REE "DS 2F HE GOT 96!
 M1T AG4 ,? "T1 X 0 "O (! PIECES ( /1K
 ,I'D HID >.D ! H\SE4
   ,AB B$"T "O EV5+1 WE HE>D 8 Y[L+ &
 H[L+ \TSIDE4 ,DAD W5T 6LOOK & :5 HE
 CAME BACK1 HE ASK$ IF ,I'D HID ANY (!
 M1T 0! AIR 3DI;N]4
   ,I TOLD HM ,I _H1 & HE SD T ,KITTY
 _H F.D X4
   ,AF T1 WE N"E _H ANYMORE TR\# )
 ,KITTY SNIT*9' /RANGE M1T4 ,! ?REE O!R
 PIECES ( M1T ,I _H /A%$ >.D ! PLACE 7
 LEFT UNT\*$4 ,I DON'T EV5 RECKON HE
 SNI6$ !M4 ,HE'D EAT HAMBURG] 9 8 FE$
 B[L1 B HE ALW SMELL$ X R1L GD F/4
   ,! BIG TE/ CAME >.D ,?ANKSGIV+
 VAC,N4
   ,B1UTY & ,KITTY & ,I _HN'T D"O M*
 RID+ 'CAUSE S*OOL KEPT ME PRETTY BUSY4
 ,I'D RIDE "S 9 ! AFNS1 B WE N"E MANAG$
  6GET V F> F ! H\SE4               B#IH
 -----------------------------------#II
   ,9 ,NOVEMB]1 WE _H A F\R-"D VAC,N =
 ,?ANKSGIV+4 ,! F/ MORN+ \ ( S*OOL1
 ,B1UTY & ,I TOOK (F 6SEE "S (! C.TRY4
   ,KITTY CAME AL;G1 TOO4 ,LATELY1 HE'D
 F.D T "! 7 BIRDS RUNN+ >.D4 ,QUAIL IS
 :AT ,DAD CALL$ !M4 ,HE SD !Y 7 A GAME
 BIRD & T ,KITTY LOOK$ 6HM L HE 0 "P
 ,IRI% ,SETT]1 A GD HUNT+ BRE$4
   ,ANYH[1 ,KITTY WD G SNI69' "? ! TALL
 BR[N BLADES ( FALL GRASS & SOON] OR
 LAT] /UM# ON A BUN* ( ^! QUAIL4
   ,I WAT*$ HM ONCE4 ,HE CAME AL;G ALL
 CR\*$ D[N4 ,!N1 :5 HE 0 "R ON !M1 HE'D
 JUMP UP & L& 9 ! MI4LE (! BUN*4
   ',C\RSE1 HE N"E CAU<T ANY?+4 ,!Y ALW
 FLEW J ! SECOND 2F HE L&$4 ,B1T+ _!
 W+S & DRUMM+ ! CRISP FALL AIR Z !Y
 SCATT]$ E : WAY4
   ,KITTY LIK$ 6*ASE AF !M4 ,B :5 HE
 FIGUR$ HE'D RANG$ F> 5\<1 HE'D CIRCLE
 BACK 6,B1UTY & ME4
   ,X 0 DUR+ "O ( ^! SNI69' HUNTS =
 BIRDS T HE /UM#D ACR !            #AJA
  COYOTE-GETT]4                     A#II
   ,J L ,DAD SD1 "! 0 A /ICK )A R$
 RI2ON NE>BY4 ,ALL Y CD SEE (! TRAP1
 ?\<1 0 A BIG *UNK ( RAW M1T1 FREE =!
 TAK+4
   ,:5 ,I SAW :AT ,KITTY 0 SNI69' AT1
 ,I YANK$
 ----------------------------------#AJJ
 ,B1UTY >.D & H1D$ BACK4 ,MY HE>T SANK
 CL1N D[N 6! BOTTOM ( MY /OMA*1 'CAUSE
 ,I R1LIZ$ ,B1UTY & ,I 7 TOO F> AWAY4
 ,"! 0 NO WAY ,I CD SAVE MY PUP IF HE
 TOOK A NO;N 6EAT "S FREE BEEF4 ,WE
 CDN'T R1* HM 9 "T4 ,"O BITE & HE'D 2
 D1D 2F WE GOT "!4
   ,KITTY _H LE>N$ 8 LESSON F ! HOT
 PEPP]S4 ,I HELD MY BR1? Z HE SNI6$ !
 M1T4 ,!N LAU<$ \ L\D :5 HE HEI/$ 8 LEG
 & PE$ ON X4
   ,KITTY _H A WAY ( EXPRESS9' HMF1
 TELL9' "EYBODY J :AT HE ?"\ AB T M1T4
   ,I N"E WORRI$ AB HM GETT9' 96! TRAPS
 AF T "D4 ,& AF ,?ANKSGIV+ VAC,N1 ,I
 DIDN'T FEEL A BIT BAD AB GO+ BACK
 6S*OOL4 ,X DIDN'T WORRY ME 6L1VE HM1
  'CAUSE ,I KNEW HE'D 2 ALL "R     A#AJJ
 :ILE ,I 0 G"O4
 ----------------------------------#AJA
               ,*APT] #AJ
 
   ,0! WEEK 2F ,*RI/MAS BR1K1 ,I 0 S
 ALL-FIR$ EXCIT$ ,I CDN'T SIT / 9 MY
 DESK4 ,ALL ,I CD ?9K AB 0 RID+ ,B1UTY
 & PLAY+ & EAT+ ! GD HOLI"D FOOD
 ,MAMA'D FIX4
   ,0! "T ,*RI/MAS VAC,N CAME1 ,I 0
 R1DY = "S ADV5TURES & EXCITE;T4 ,?+S
 _H BE5 PRETTY BOR+ >.D \R F>M4 ,I
 _HN'T _H M* "T 6RIDE ,B1UTY & ROAM )
 MY PUP4 ,I'D BE5 TOO BUSY HELP9' ,DAD
 )! CATTLE4
   ,I 0 AB 6POP :5 ! BUS DROPP$ ME (F
 AF ! LA/ "D ( S*OOL4
   ,KITTY 0 WAIT+ = ME 0! W9DMILL1 L
 USUAL4 ,I 0 PRETTY GD AB DODG+ \ (!
 WAY
 ----------------------------------#AJB
 2F HE JUMP$ ON ME4 ,B TD ,I LET HM
 JUMP UP & PUT 8 PAWS ON MY *E/ & LICK
 MY FACE4 ,!N WE H1D$ (F =! H\SE   #AJC
  AT A RUN4 ,ALL ! WAY ,I KEPT     A#AJB
 TELL9' ,KITTY AB ! FUN ?+S WE 7 GONNA
 D N[ T ,I 0 \ ( S*OOL =A C\PLE (
 WEEKS4
   ,:5 ,I R1*$ ! H\SE & W5T RUNN+ 9
 6PUT UP MY BOOKS &! ,*RI/MAS ?+S ,I'D
 MADE AT S*OOL1 ALL MY EXCITE;T & FEEL+
 GD & 2+ HAPPY J :OO%$ \ ( ME4
   ,DAD 0 ON ! TELEPH"O4 ,MAMA %U%$ ME
 ! SECOND ,I CAME 9 ! DOOR4 ,I CD TELL
 0! LOOK ON _! FACES T "S?+ 0 WR;G4
 ,"S?+ S]I\S4
   ,I K9DA HELD MY BR1?1 TRY+ 6BE R1L
 QUIET4
   ,DAD 0 5D+ UP 8 TALK+ ON ! PH"O4 ,HE
 NO4$ 8 H1D4 ,FR[N$4
   8,LET ME CALL Y BACK1 ,M>?A4 ,I'LL
 SEE :AT ,I C D40
   ,!N HE HUNG UP ! PH"O & K9DA SANK
 D[N 9 ! *AIR4 ,MAMA W5T OV] & PUT A H&
 ON 8 %\LD]4 ,SMOO!D 8 HAIR BACK (F 8
 =EH1D4
   8,H[ BAD IS HE80 %E SD4 8,>E ! KIDS
 ALL "R80
   ,DAD %OOK 8 H1D4 ,I CD SEE A TE>
  ROLL D[N 8 *EEK4 ,HE TRI$        B#AJB
 6WIPE X AWAY4
   8,M>?A SD ,B5 0 9 CRITICAL 3DI;N4
 ,HE'S GOT A 3CUS.N & MULTIPLE
 FRACTURES4 ,HE'S 9 A -A1
 ----------------------------------#AJC
 &! DOCTORS WON'T TELL H] :AT 8 *.ES >E
 '''0 ,DAD CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT4 8,ALEX &
 ,!RESA 7 ) HM :5 !Y _H ! WRECK4 ,ALEX
 IS D1D4 ,!RESA'S J GOT A BROK5 LEG &A
 SCRAT* ON H] >M4 ,GUESS 2+ 9 ! BACK
 S1T IS :AT SAV$ H]40
   ,I CD SEE ,DAD'S BOTTOM LIP QUIV]+4
 ,SEE H[ H>D X 0 = HM 6KEEP F CRY+4
   8,M>?A SD %E WD H BE5 ) !M4 ,B %E
 GOT A T\* (! FLU & /AY$ AT ! H\SE40
   ,HE /OPP$ !N4 ,MAMA SAT ON 8 LAP &
 SNU7L$ HM UP4 ,KISS+ HM ON ! *EEKS &
 HOLD+ HM TI<T4
   ,M>?A 0 ,DAD'S SI/]--MY AUNT4 ,X _H
 BE5 A L;G "T S9CE WE _H SE5 !M & _!
 TWO KIDS1 ,ALEX & ,!RESA4 ,I 0 ONLY AB
 ,*UCKIE'S AGE :5 WE LA/ W5T 6VISIT--S
 ,I DIDN'T REMEMB] !M V WELL AT ALL4 ,B
 WAT*+ H[ BAD ,DAD 0 HURT+ OV]     #AJE
  :AT _H HAPP5$1 ,I CDN'T HELP     A#AJC
 HURT+1 TOO4
   ,I W5T OV] & SAT D[N ON 8 LAP 2S
 ,MAMA4 ,LOV$ HM UP L %E 0 DO+4 ,TRI$
 6MAKE HM FEEL BETT]4
   ,F9,Y1 ,MAMA SD1 8,IS "! ANY?+ WE C
 D8 ,ANY WAY WE C HELP H]80
   ,DAD BIT D[N ON 8 LIP4
   8,%E ASK$ ME 6-E4 ,%E WANTS ME 6BE )
 H]4 ,HELP ''' B ''' ,I J DON'T SEE
 H[10 HE /AM-
 ----------------------------------#AJD
 M]$4 8,I ''' ,I DON'T SEE H[ ,I C GET
 AWAY4 ,"!'S S M* NE$S D"O 'R.D "H4 ,WE
 GOT ?REE HEIF]S -IN' 9 ) CALVES ANY"T1
 N[4 ,&)! SN[ T'S SUPPOS$ 6-E SOON1
 ,I'LL H 6HAUL HAY 6! "OS WE GOT \ ON
 PA/URE1 & '''0
   ,MAMA GOT UP ON H] FEET4 ,%E PATT$
 HM ON ! LEG1 !N1 HOLD+ 8 H&S1 HELP$ HM
 UP4
   8,NONS5SE1 ,NICK4 ,YR SI/] NE$S Y1 &
 Y GOT 6G4 ,RICKY & ,I C TAKE C>E (!
 C[S4 ,LET'S G GET YR CLO!S PACK$40
   ,%E TOOK 8 H& & L$ HM T[>D ! /AIRS4
  ,DAD /OPP$ & PULL$ 8 H& F H]S4   A#AJD
   8,T'S TOO M* = Y 6H&LE AL"O1 ,HEL510
 HE SD4 8,I J BETT] CALL ,M>?A & TELL
 H] '''0
   8,NO60 ,MAMA'S /]N T"O CUT HM %ORT4
 8,%E'S YR ONLY SI/]4 ,& AF LOS+ H]
 ONLY SON & MAYBE H] HUSB& 9 A C>
 WRECK1 ,M>?A NE$S Y4 ,Y'D FEEL GUILTY
 F N[ ON IF Y DIDN'T G40
   8,I'LL FEEL GUILTY AB L1V+ Y ) ALL !
 "W 6D >.D "H10 HE >GU$4 8,"!'S TOO M*
 LIFT9' & PULL9' & /RA9+4 ,IF Y WE> YRF
 \ & GET SICK1 ,I'D N"E =GIVE MYF40
   ,MAMA /OOD UP ON H] TIPTOES & KISS$
 8 *EEK4
   8,U WOM5FOLK H BE5 LIFT9' & PULL9' &
 /RA99' 'B\T Z L;G Z M5FOLK4 ,2SS1
 ,I'VE GOT ,RICKY 6HELP ME4 ,HE'S
 PRETTY /\T =A T5-YE>-OLD & :AT ,I C'T
 H&LE1 ,I'M SURE HE C40
 ----------------------------------#AJE
   ,I RU%$ OV] 2S !M4
   8,T'S "R1 ,DAD4 ,I BE5 ) Y 6FE$ !
 CATTLE4 ,I "K H[ M* 6GIVE !M1 & ,I C
 LIFT HAY BALES1 MI<T NE> Z GD Z   #AJG
  Y40                              A#AJE
   8,& ,I'VE WAT*$ Y PULL CALVES 2F10
 ,MAMA A4$4 8,& ,I "K ! SIGNS ( MILK
 FEV]1 IF ,I NE$ 6CALL ! VET4 ,N[1 YR
 SI/] NE$S Y4 ,RICKY & ,I C MANAGE =A
 FEW "DS :ILE Y'RE G"O40
   8,B '''0 ,DAD />T$ 9 AG4
   ,MAMA PUT H] F+]S 6HIS LIPS4
   8,N[1 HU%4 ,NO M >GU;T4 ,LET'S GET Y
 PACK$ & !N WE'LL CALL ,M>?A 6TELL H]
 Y'RE ON YR WAY40
   ,DAD KNEW :5 HE 0 LICK$4
   ,HE FOLL[$ ,MAMA UP/AIRS )\T ANO!R
 ^W4
   ,:5 !Y 7 G"O1 MY H1D 0 ALL 9 A SP94
 ,"! _H N"E BE5 A BAD C> WRECK )
 ANYBODY ,I KNEW 2F4 ,I GUESS X'S "S?+
 T HAPP5S S FA/ & UNEXPECT$1 X J TAKES
 "T = YR H1D 6TAKE X ALL IN4 ,TAKES "T
 = YR M9D 6CAT* UP )! WAY YR HE>T'S
 P.D9' &! WAY ALL SORTS ( FEEL+S G
 FLOOD9' "?4
   ,A C> WRECK IS A BAD ?+4 ,& ,DAD
 L1V+ U1 EV5 IF X 0 = J A FEW "DS1 WELL
 ''' T 0 A BAD ?+1 TOO4
    ,I SAT D[N ON ! C\* & TURN$    B#AJE
 ! ,,TV ON4 ,X DIDN'T HELP M*1 ?\<4
 ----------------------------------#AJF
   ,:AT DID HELP 0 :5 ,*UCKIE F9I%$
 PLAY+ 9 8 ROOM & CAME D[N1 WANT+ ME
 6HELP ) 8 S*OOL /UFF4 ,8 K9D]G>T5
 CLASS 0 /UDY9' LRS4 ,HE WANT$ ME
 6WRITE "S LRS ON "S PAP]4 ,!N1 HE'D
 TRY 6TELL ME :AT ! LRS 7 & WRITE !M
 0HMF ON ANO!R PIECE ( PAP]4
   ,HE DID PRETTY GD ) MO/ ( !M1 ONLY
 HE KEPT GETT+ ! LL ;B1 ;P1 & ;D ALL
 MIX$ UP4
   ,"W+ ) HM KEPT BO? ( U BUSY4 ,KEPT
 \R M9DS (F ,DAD4
   ,*UCKIE & ,I "W$ ON LRS :ILE ,MAMA 0
 FIX9' SUPP]4 ,& AF WE F9I%$ EAT+1
 ,MAMA TOLD ,*UCKIE 6PUT ON 8 BIG COAT1
 & WE SET \ 6D ! *ORES4
   ,FE$9' 0 A SNAP4 ,DAD _H ! TRUCK
 FILL$ ) HAY &1 ! F/ "T \1 ALL WE _H 6D
 0 DRIVE "? ! PA/URE & PIT* X4
   ,MAMA DROVE ! TRUCK1 & ,I SAT 9 !
 BACK4 ,I'D USE ! WIRE CUTT]S 6SNAP !
 BAIL+ WIRE1 !N PIT* X \1 *UNK     #AJI
  AT A "T4 ,T WAY1 ! C[S 7 ALL     A#AJF
 SPR1D \ & CD EAT )\T BUTT9' "O ANO!R &
 FI<T+ OV] ! HAY4
   ,HAV9' 'EM SPR1D \ MADE X EASI] 6C.T
 & LOOK 'EM OV]4 ,WE *ECK$ 6MAKE SURE
 "! 7 NO BAD WIRE CUTS & N"O ( !M 7
 SICK4
   ,?REE C[S 7 R1DY 6H CALVES4 ,C.T9'
 ----------------------------------#AJG
 0 SPECIAL IMPORTANT ) T GO+ ON4 ,DAD
 SAYS X N"E FAILS T :5 _! BABY'S R1DY
 6-E1 !Y'LL W&] (F F ! RE/ (! BUN*4
 ,F9D A NICE PRIVATE PLACE 6BR+ A FRE%
 NEW LIFE 96? _W4
   ,SURE 5\<1 ! SECOND "D ,DAD 0 G"O1
 WE CAME UP "O HEIF] %ORT4 ,MAMA & ,I
 C.T$ TWICE1 J 6MAKE SURE1 !N WE H1D$
 (F =! ROCK HILL 6SEE IF %E 0 ALL "R4
   ,I F.D H] HOL$ UP 9 A PLUM ?ICKET
 NE> "S BIG1 R$ S&/"O B\LD]S4 ,H] NEW
 CALF 0 ) H]1 ALR /&+ ON 8 WO2LY LEGS &
 TRY+ 6GET "S MILK4
   ,I FIGUR$ ! SM>T ?+ 6D 0 H]D H] BACK
 6! SMALL P5 0! H\SE4 ,T WAY1 WE CD
 KEEP AN EYE ON H] &! BABY4 ,MAKE SURE
  !Y 7 ALL "R & N H 6PR[L >.D !    A#AJG
 ROCK HILL TRY+ 6F9D ": %E &! CALF 7
 HID9' NEXT "T4
   ,KITTY 0 ) ME1 S ,I DECID$ 6S5D HM 9
 AF H]4
   8,G GET H]1 BOY4 ,BR+ 'EM \ = ME40
   ,KITTY COCK$ 8 E>S & GAVE ME A FUNNY
 LOOK4
   8,G ON10 ,I URG$4 8,G BR+ 'EM \40
   ,I PO9T$1 & HE J LOOK$ AT ME R1L
 DUMB1 L4 ,WELL1 WE'D N"E "W$ C[S TGR1
 S ,I FIGUR$ HE DIDN'T "K :AT ,I 0
 WANT+ HM 6D4
 ----------------------------------#AJH
   ,I PICK$ UP A /ICK & />T$ 96! PLUM
 ?ICKET1 P.D+ ! BRU% Z ,I W5T4
   8,-E ON1 ,KITTY4 ,ALL Y GOT 6D IS G
 B>K9' & *ASE H] \ ! O!R SIDE4 ,WE'RE
 GONNA H]D H] BACK 6! H\SE40
   ,I 0 S PR\D ,I NE>LY POPP$4 ,KITTY &
 ,I 7 AB HALFWAY 96! ?ICKET :5 HE SEEM$
 6CAT* ON 6! GAME WE 7 PLAY+4 ,HE />T$
 B>K+4 ,W5T TE>+ AH1D ( ME T[>D ! C[4
 ,I FIGUR$ HE 0 GONNA RUN H] \ & TAKE
 H] CLE> 6! LOT4 ,ALL ,I'D H 6D    #AAA
  0 FOLL[4                         A#AJH
   ,ONLY1 :5 ,KITTY CAME FACE 6FACE ) T
 OLD C[1 ! C[ DIDN'T RUN4 ,9/1D1 %E
 DUCK$ H] H1D4 ,?R1T5$ 0%AK+ H] HORNS
 BACK & =? 9 8 FACE4
   ,KITTY B>K$ AT H] "S M4 ,MADE H]
 SNORT & PAW AT ! GR.D4
   ,!N1 2F ,I KNEW :AT 0 HAPP5+1 %E
 *>G$ HM4
   ,KITTY YELP$ & CAME RUNN+ BACK 6ME =
 PROTEC;N4 ,& "H CAME T MAD HEIF]1 "R
 2H4 ,%E 0 RUNN+ H>D4 ,CRACK+ BRAN*ES &
 BRU% Z %E RAN4
   8,NO1 ,KITTY10 ,I YELL$4 8,TAKE H] !
 O!R WAY60
   ,ONLY ,KITTY WASN'T LI/5+4 ,"S?+ BIG
 & M1N 0 *AS+ HM1 &! ONLY ?+ HE CD ?9K
 ( 0 GETT+ BACK 6ME ": HE'D 2 SAFE4
 ----------------------------------#AJI
   ,I SPUN >.D & LIT \4 ,KITTY %OT PA/1
 S CLOSE HE NE>LY KNOCK$ MY FEET \ F "U
 ME4 ,T LEFT ME 2T ,KITTY &! MAD C[ :O
 0 *AS+ HM4
   ,I 0 RUNN+ H>D & SC>$4 ,I DIDN'T
 NOTICE T %E /OPP$ *AS+ ME :5 WE R1*$ !
  $GE (! PLUM ?ICKET4              A#AJI
   ,"! 0 A B>B$-WIRE F;E AB FIFTY FEET
 AWAY4 ,I RAN = X1 H>D Z ,I CD4 ,MADE A
 FLY+ DIVE L A BASE RUNN] BELLY-SLID+
 96HOME PLATE4 ,ONLY !N DID ,I TAKE "T
 6SEE ": %E WAS4
   ,! OLD C[ 0 BACK 9 ! ?ICKET ) H]
 CALF4 ,KITTY CAME TROTT9' UP 2S ME4
 ,WA7+ 8 TAIL & ACT+ L NE>LY GETT9' RUN
 D[N 0A MAD C[ 0 NO?9' M ?AN A BIG
 GAME4
   8,Y /9K9' C[>D40 ,I GL>$ AT HM4 8,Y
 NE>LY GOT ME KILL$4 ,Y'RE NO?9' B A
 ''' A ''' C[>D40
   ,HE TRI$ 6JUMP UP ON ME1 & ,I PU%$
 HM BACK ) MY KNEE4
   8,"S C[ DOG Y >E4 ,Y'RE SUPPOS$
 6KEEP H] F GETT9' ME1 N GET H] 6*ASE
 ME4 ,DUMMY40
   ,I / _H HOPES1 ?\<4 ,S WE TRI$ !
 SAME ?+ AG4
   ,J L 2F1 ,KITTY RU%$ 9 & GOT T OLD
 HEIF] ALL /IRR$ UP4 ,& :5 %E *AS$ HM1
 HE CAME /RAI<T = ME4
                                   #AAC
    ,? "T1 ?\<1 %E DIDN'T /OP AT    #AAJ
 ! $GE (! ?ICKET4 ,%E RAN ME CL1N 6!
 B>B$-WIRE F;E4
   ,MAMA & ,*UCKIE F9,Y F.D U4 ,I GUESS
 X 0 2C ( ALL ! -MO;N & YELL9' ,I 0 DO+
 AT ,KITTY4
   ,I TOLD H] :AT ,KITTY 0 DO+4 ,%E
 TOLD ME 6HOLD ON 6HM S HE WDN'T GET !
 C[ ALL EXCIT$4 ,!N1 %E & ,*UCKIE PICK$
 UP "S ROCKS & />T$ *UNK+ AT ! PLUM
 ?ICKET4
   ,SURE 5\<1 ! C[ L$ H] CALF \ ! O!R
 SIDE &1 ) ,MAMA & ,*UCKIE ?R[+ ROCKS
 2H H]1 X 0 NO "T 2F WE R1*$ ! H\SE4
   ,I 0 "R 4GU/$ ) MY DOG4 ,BR++ ! C[
 6! H\SE 0 "S?9' ,I %D H BE5 MAN 5 6D
 MYF4 ,9/1D1 ,MAMA _H 6D X )! HELP (A
 LL FIVE-YE>-OLD4
   ,X 0 D[N"R EMB>RASS+4
 ----------------------------------#AAA
               ,*APT] #AA
 
   ,! NEXT FEW "DS W5T PRETTY FA/4 ,DAD
 CALL$ A C\PLE ( "TS F ,/4 ,L\IS 6SEE
 H[ WE 7 & 6TELL ,MAMA T ,M>?A'S HUSB&
  0 GETT9' BETT]4                  A#AAA
   ,WE DROVE \ & F$ ! C[S E "D4 ,X
 TURN$ COLD1 & ,I US$ ,DAD'S AX 6BR1K !
 ICE ON ! POND S !Y CD DR9K4
   ,!N1 "O NI<T1 ! W1!RMAN ON ,,TV SD
 "! 0 SN[ -+4
   8,WE'LL NE$ 6GET ! *A9S ON ! TRUCK10
 ,MAMA TOLD ME4 8,BETT] GET AN E>LY />T
 9 ! MORN+40
   ,MAMA _H WAT*$ ,DAD PUT ! *A9S ON
 2F4 ,B NEI "O ( U _H "E D"O X \RVS4 ,X
 ----------------------------------#AAB
 TOOK OV] AN H\R ! NEXT "D = U 6D X4
   ,! SN[ WE GOT J KEPT "R ON -+4 ,=
 ?REE "DS X SN[$ (F & ON1 &! W1!R /AY$
 COLD ALL T "T4
   ,USU,Y :5 A SN[ -ES 9 ,OKLAHOMA1 X
 ONLY LA/S A "D OR S 2F MELT+4 ,? "O
 ACT$ L X MI<T /AY ! RE/ (! W9T]4
   ,AF FIVE "DS1 X F9,Y />T$ 6W>M UP4
 ,! SN[ 2GAN MELT+ & GOT ! GR.D R1L
 SLOPPY4
   ,T'S :5 ,MAMA GOT ! PICKUP /UCK4
   ,WE 7 H1D$ 6! PA/URE )A LOAD ( HAY4
 ,MAMA 0 DRIV+ 9 ! L[ GR.D 2T !    #AAE
  CREEK &! ROCK HILL :5 ALL (A     A#AAB
 SU45 ! TRUCK J K9DA SANK D[N4 ,! :EELS
 GR[L$ & %OT MUD HI< 9 ! AIR :5 %E PU%$
 ON ! GAS4 ,%E TRI$ ROCK+ X BACK & =?1
 ONLY ! TIRES J W5T DEEP] 9 ! GOOEY1
 /ICKY MUD4
   ,I GOT \ & />T$ PU%+4 ,MAMA DIDN'T
 SEE ME4 ,"R AF ,I GOT "!1 %E PU%$ D[N
 ON ! GAS R1L H>D4
   ,2F ,I CD MOVE1 ,I 0 COV]$ ) MUD F
 MY FACE CL1N D[N 6MY BOOTS4
   ,:5 ,I CLOS$ MY M\?1 ,I CD FEEL !
 GRITTY1 GRIMY GRA9S ( DIRT CRUN*+ 2T
 MY TEE?4 ,I SPIT & GA7$ "S 2F ,I CD
 GET !M \4
   ,MAMA NOTIC$ ! -MO;N4 ,%E TURN$ !
 TRUCK (F & CAME BACK 6HELP ME4 ,%E US$
 "S
 ----------------------------------#AAC
 RAGS ,DAD KEPT 9 ! TRUCK 6DIG ! MUD \
 ( MY EYES & E>S4 ,!N %E HELP$ ME WIPE
 (F MY FACE4
   8,I'M ''' ,I'M SORRY10 ,I SPUTT]$4
 8,GUESS ,I'M J N BIG 5 6PU% Y \40
   ,MAMA SI<$4
    8,X WASN'T YR FAULT4 ,T        A#AAC
 TRUCK'S BO7$ D[N CLE> 6! HUBCAPS4
 ,WE'LL H 6WAIT TILL YR DAD GETS HOME &
 PULLS X \ )! TRACTOR40
   ,MAMA WALK$ >.D ! TRUCK A C\PLE (
 "TS4 ,%E MUTT]$ 6H]F4 ,!N1 HAUL$ (F &
 KICK$ ! OLD TRUCK H>D Z %E CD4
   ,I N"E DR1M$ ,MAMA KNEW ! ^WS %E LET
 \ !N4 ,DA4Y SD ?+S L T :5 HE 0 SPECIAL
 MAD AT "O (! C[S OR :5 ! TRACTOR WDN'T
 />T4 ,B ,I N"E FIGUR$ ,MAMA KNEW ^?
 K9DS ( ^WS1 TOO4 ,%E CALL$ T OLD TRUCK
 S _M "NS1 ,I CDN'T KEEP UP ) !M4
   ,:5 %E SAW ME LI/5+1 %E SLAPP$ A H&
 OV] H] M\?4 ,I CDN'T HELP NOTIC+ ! WAY
 H] FACE TURN$ R$4 ,& H[ EMB>RASS$ &
 %EEPI% %E LOOK$4
   8,I "E HE> Y REP1T+ ANY ( ^? ^WS10
 %E ?R1T5$ ME1 8,I'LL BLI/] YR TAIL S
 H>D Y WON'T SIT D[N =A WEEK4 ,Y "U/&1
 "Y MAN80
   ,I FELT MYF SNAP 6ATT5;N4 ,I /OOD
 R1L /RAI<T4 ,R1L /4
 
                                   #AAG
    8,YES1 MAM60                    #AAD
   ,%E LOOK$ EMB>RASS$ AG1 !N GOT
 ,*UCKIE \ (! TRUCK & />T$ =! H\SE4
   8,J ?R[ ! HAY \ "H = !M10 %E SD1
 SLO%+ ACR ! SO7Y FIELD4 8,IF ^? C[S >E
 S DUMB !Y C'T F9D X1 !Y C J G )\T40
   ,AF %E & ,*UCKIE 7 G"O1 ,I HOLL]$ &
 HONK$ ! HORN A FEW M9UTES4 ,!N ,I
 BROKE ! BAIL+ WIRE ON ! HAY & PIT*$ X
 \ >.D ! TRUCK4
   ,! C[S TOOK _! SWEET "T AB GETT+ "!4
 ,I C.T$ TWICE & / CAME UP "O %ORT4 ,T
 PROBABLY M1NT T ANO!R "O (! HEIF]S 0
 HID UP "S PLACE HAV+ H] CALF4
   ,I SNUCK (F F ! TRUCK1 R1L QUIET1
 HOP+ MY YELL+ & HONK+ ! HORN _HN'T
 BR"\ ,KITTY ON ! RUN4 ,0! "T ,I R.D$ !
 F> SIDE (! ROCK HILL1 ,I 0 FEEL9' "R
 PR\D ( MYF = GETT9' AWAY )\T T PESKY1
 GD-=-NO?+ PUP TRAIL9' AL;G4
   ,"R AB !N1 ,I HE>D A RU/L+ S.D 2H
 ME4 ,I TURN$ J 9 "T 6SEE ,KITTY -E
 RAC9' UP4 ,HE JUMP$ ONTO ME F 2H1 & X
 0 ALL ,I CD D 6KEEP F FALL9' FLAT ON
 MY FACE4
    8,Y /9K9' H.D10 ,I GR[L$ AT    A#AAD
 HM4 8,:Y DON'T Y G BACK & *ASE CATS OR
 "S?9'8 ,I DON'T NE$ Y SC>9' T OLD C[40
 ----------------------------------#AAE
   ,HE J WA7$ 8 TAIL & TRI$ 6JUMP ON ME
 AG4
   ,I R1*$ D[N 6GRAB A ROCK 6PELT HM4
 ,:5 ,I DID T1 HE K9DA JUMP$ UP & LAID
 8 FRONT PAWS OV] ! BACK ( MY NECK4 ,!N
 HE />T$ SLOPP9' ME 9 ! FACE ) 8 L;G1
 WET T;GUE4
   8,ALL "R10 ,I SD1 PU%+ HM BACK4 8,Y
 C G ) ME4 ,B IF Y GET T OLD C[ 6*AS9'
 ME1 ,I'LL SK9 YR HIDE40
   ,I 0 SMIL9' AT HM1 B ,I 0 / MAD
 9SIDE4
   ,X 0 GETT9' COLD4 ,! "D _H BE5 W>M 5
 6MELT "S (! SN[4 ,B EV5+ 0 -IN' ON4
 ,)! SUN ON ! O!R SIDE (! HILL1 T LEFT
 ME 9 ! %ADE ": ! ICY NOR? W9D *ILL$ ME
 CLE> 6! B"O4
   ,KITTY & ME HUNT$ MO/ E PLACE ,I CD
 ?9K (= T OLD HEIF]4 ,WE LOOK$ 9 ! ?REE
 PLUM PAT*ES1 ! DRAW AL;G ! CREEK T
 FL[$ F ! TOP (! HILL1 & F9,Y !    #AAI
  BIG CANYON "R NE> ! $GE ( \R     A#AAE
 PLACE ": ! COTTONWOOD TREES 7 S ?ICK4
   ,/1 "! 0 NO SIGN (! HEIF]4
   8,IF T DON'T B1T ALL10 ,I MUTT]$1
 TRY+ 6S.D L ,DAD DID "S"TS4 8,T OLD
 C['S RE,Y F.D H] A GD HID+ PLACE40
   ,KITTY P]K$ 8 E>S UP1 LI/5+4
   ,I FR[N$ AT HM4
 ----------------------------------#AAF
   8,:Y DON'T Y G F9D H]1 Y WOR?.S
 MUTT8 ,X'S GETT9' ON T[>D D>K4 ,MAMA'S
 GONNA 2 WORRI$ IF WE DON'T GET BACK
 SOON40
   ,DUMB OLD ,KITTY J TILT$ 8 H1D &
 WA7$ 8 TAIL4
   ,I />T$ BACK >.D ! HILL1 FOLL[+ !
 WAY WE CAME4 ,X 0 S COLD ,I _H 6KEEP
 MOV+ OR ,I KNEW ,I'D FREEZE4 ,MY NOSE
 & *EEKS HURT4 ,EV5 ) GLOVES ON1 ,I
 KEPT RU2+ MY H&S TGR S !Y WDN'T GET
 NUMB4
   ,! COLD DIDN'T BO!R ,KITTY AT ALL4
 ,HE KEPT B\NC9' >.D & WA79' 8 TAIL4
 ,POK9' 8 NOSE 9 ! TALL GRASS1 TRY+ 6-E
 UP )A QUAIL SC5T OR F9D HM A RA2IT
  6*ASE4                           A#AAF
   ,WE 7 ALM BACK 6! PICKUP 2F ,I
 REMEMB]$ ! POND4
   ,! POND 0 SMACK 9 ! MI4LE (! HILL1 A
 NATURAL DAM ( ROCKS & MUD AB HALFWAY
 2T ! TOP &! CREEK AT ! BOTTOM4 ,DUR+ !
 SPR+ X 0 S FULL ( WAT] ! C[S ONLY W5T
 "! 6DR9K4 ,B DUR+ ! W9T] & SUMM] :5 !
 WAT] 0 D[N1 "! 0 A FLAT DRAW UP AT !
 WE/ 5D ( X4 ,A GD FLAT SPOT ) PL5TY (
 COV]4 ,X 0 ! P]FECT PLACE =A SPOOKY
 OLD C[ 6HIDE \ & H H] CALF4
   8,-E ON1 ,KITTY4 ,GOT "O M PLACE
 6*ECK40
   ,I />T$ UP ! LL PA?1 MOV+ FA/ Z ,I
 PICK$
 ----------------------------------#AAG
 MY WAY "? ! GN>L$ BRU% & OV]-JA7$
 ROCKS4
   ,! LI<T 0 GR[+ DIM1 &A C\PLE ( "TS
 ,I TRIPP$ OV] ROCKS HI45 9 ! %AD[S4 ,B
 ,KITTY 0 "R 2H ME4 ,! "O "T ,I FELL1
 HE RU%$ UP & />T$ LOPP9' ME ) 8 WET
 T;GUE1 FIGUR+ ,I 0 D[N "! ON ! GR.D
 6PLAY ) HM4                       #ABA
    ,T COLD1 WET T;GUE GOT ME ON   A#AAG
 MY FEET 9 A HURRY4
   ,! BRU% GREW ?ICK] ! HI<] UP ! ROCK
 HILL4 ,BRAN*ES TANGL$ TGR OV] ! PA?1 &
 TALL1 DRY LOVE GRASS /OOD ?ICK & BU%Y
 ON EI SIDE4 ,MO/ PLACES ,I _H 6WALK
 ALL /OOP$ OV]4 ,A C\PLE ( "TS1 ,I _H
 6CRAWL "? ! ?ICK1 TANGL$ V9ES ON MY
 H&S & KNEES4
   ,X 0 H>D TRAVEL+4 ,I _H BE5 PU69' &
 PANT9' S H>D ,I DIDN'T NOTICE ! QUIET
 UNTIL ,I /OOD UP /RAI<T AT ! CLE>+ 2S
 ! DAM4
   ,"! WASN'T A BR1? ( W9D4
   ,9 ,OKLAHOMA1 ! W9D BL[S A LOT4 ,B
 "R AT SUNSET1 L X 0 N[1 ! W9D LAYS A
 BIT4 ,! TREE LIMBS /OP _! RATTL+ &!
 DRY GRASS QUITS XS SWAY+ & RU/L+4
   ,X 0 K9D (A SPOOKY QUIET4 ,:AT )!
 W9D BL[+ & RU/L9' ?+S >.D ALL "D1 6H X
 /OP ALL (A SU45 MADE ! *ILLS CREEP UP
 MY BACK4 ,! L[-HANG+ CL\DS DIDN'T HELP
 EI4 ,X 0
 
 
  GR[+ D>K1 &! GRAY CL\DS SOAK$     #AAH
 UP :AT LL LI<T 0 LEFT4
   ,/1 ! POND 0 A PRETTY PLACE4 ,X 0
 MO/LY DRI$ UP N[ EXCEPT =A PAT* ( SN[
 &A LL WAT] \ 9 ! MI4LE4 ,! GR.D >.D X
 0 SMOO? & CLE>4 ,"H & "!1 LL TUFTS (
 W9T] GRASS SPRUNG UP1 GIV+ _! B"R GRE5
 T\* ( COLOR 6! BR[N TREES & R$ ROCKS T
 LAY SCATT]$ >.D4
   ,X 0 A WILD PLACE4 ,I CDN'T HELP
 DR1M9' AB H[ PRETTY X WD LOOK 9 !
 SPR+4 ,!N "EY?+ WD 2 GRE54 ,! BIG
 TREES T L9$ ! POND WD GIVE X %ADE &
 MAKE F9E PLACES =! BIRDS 6GA!R &
 FLUTT] AB4
   ,I 0 LOOK9' >.D1 K9DA DR1M9' 6MYF1
 :5 ,I HE>D A NOISE AT MY FEET4
   ,)A FR[N1 ,I GL.ED D[N4 ,KITTY 0
 GR[L+4 ,! HAIR ON 8 BACK 0 /&+ 9 A
 RA7$ RIDGE CL1N 6HIS TAIL4
   ,HE SEEM$ 6TREM# A MO;T4 ,!N HE
 GR[L$ AG & W5T *>G9' (F ACR ! DRY
 POND4
   ,:AT ON E>?'S GOT 96HM1 ,I WOND]$4
   ,!N1 )\T TAK+ M* ?"\1 ,I *AS$   #ABC
  \ AF HM4                         A#AAH
   ,I RECKON ALL AL;G ,I FIGUR$ HE'D
 F.D \R MISS9' HEIF]4 ,& SURE 5\<1 HE
 _H4 ,%E /OOD AG/ A
 ----------------------------------#AAI
 ROCK L$GE AT ! F> SIDE (! POND4 ,%E _H
 A BABY CALF ) H]4 ,BR&-SPANK9' NEW & /
 WET4 ,HE M/ H J BE5 BORN1 'CAUSE HE 0
 WO2LY1 & HE CD H>DLY /&4
   ,I'D N"E SE5 ,KITTY GR[L & GET ALL
 RU6L$ UP OV] A C[ 2F4 ,B ,I FIGUR$ HE
 0 J L ME1 S TIR$ ( LOOK+ = T D>N$ OLD
 HEIF] HE 0 D[N"R MAD4
   ,:5 ,I F.D \ :AT ,KITTY 0 RE,Y
 GR[L9' AB1 X 0 ALM TOO LATE4
   ,"! 0 A S.D 2S ME Z ,I MOV$ T[>D !
 OLD C[4 ,I PAUS$4 ,HELD MY BR1?1
 LI/5+4
   ,AT F/ ,I FIGUR$ ! NOISE 0 A RA2IT
 OR "S?+4 ,!N ! NOISE CAME AG4 ,I CD
 TELL X 0 WAY TOO L\D 6-E F A RA2IT4
   ,I FOLL[$ ! S.D ) MY E>S4 ,SQU9T$4
 ,/RA9$ MY EYES AG/ ! %AD[Y DEP?S (!
 ?ICK BRU%4
   ,"S?+ MOV$4
    ,X 0 NO M ?AN A %AD[ AT F/4    A#AAI
 ,A BIG1 LOP+ %AD[ T APPE>$ & 4APPE>$
 AM;G A ?\S& O!R D>K] %AD[S4
   ,!N1 ! =M TOOK %APE4
   ,I FROZE 9 MY TRACKS4 ,! BR1? CAU<T
 HALF 9 & HALF \ ( MY ?ROAT4
   ,&1 ,I SWE> T MY HE>T CL1N /OPP$
 B1T9' =A FULL SECOND OR M4
 ----------------------------------#ABJ
   ,! =M T CAME F ! %AD[S 0 A DOG4 ,A
 HUGE1 LUMB]+ HULK (A DOG T MOV$ Z
 SIL5T Z CAT'S FEET ON A D[N PILL[4
   ,ANO!R S.D CAME4 ,A SECOND DOG
 FOLL[$ ! F/4 ,HE WASN'T Z BIG1 B HE
 SL9K$ AL;G1 MOV+ AM;G ! %AD[S1 FOLL[$
 0ANO!R L>G] DOG & ANO!R4 ,!Y 7 H1D$ =!
 HEIF] & H] NEW CALF4
   ,B ,KITTY GOT "! F/4 ,HE /OOD SQU>E
 9 ! M\? (! DRAW1 2T ! C[ &! F\R DOGS T
 DREW CLOS] & CLOS] "? ! D>K5+ %AD[S4
   ,USU,Y FRLY & TAIL-WA79'1 ,KITTY B>$
 8 TEE?4 ,A SAVAGE1 DEEP-?ROAT$ GR[L
 RUM#D "? ! /ILL;S (! T9Y VALLEY4
   ,! HEIF] 0 SC>$4 ,H] NO/RILS FL>$ \
 :5 %E SNORT$ & TOSS$ H] H1D F     #ABE
  SIDE 6SIDE4 ,%E WASN'T WAT*9'    A#ABJ
 ,KITTY1 ?\<4 ,H] EYES1 R.D Z DI%PANS1
 7 ON ! F\R DOGS4
   ,%E BELL[$ ONCE4 ,TOSS$ H] H1D1
 ?R1T5+4 ,!N %E LOOK$ 6! O!R SIDE (!
 DRAW4
   ,I 0 TREMBL+ SC>$4 ,S SC>$ ,I CDN'T
 TAKE MY EYES (F ": ,I'D LA/ SE5 ! F\R
 DOGS 9 ! %AD[S4 ,B :5 ,I SAW T SC>$
 GLAZE 9 H] EYE1 ,I TURN$ 6LOOK4
   ,ANO!R DOG /OOD AT ! $GE (! CLE>+ ON
 MY LEFT4 ,HE /OOD P]FECTLY /1 ALM
 BL5D+
 ----------------------------------#ABA
 )! ROCKS & BRU% 2H HM4
   ,:AT F"R5$ ME 7 8 EYES4 ,:ITE & BIG4
 ,%>P1 PI]C+ EYES T DIDN'T BL9K4
   ,EYES T />$ "R 96ME4
   ,HE 0 A ,G]MAN %EPH]D4 ,AB ! SAME
 SIZE Z ! O!RS1 B N AFRAID 6-E \ 96!
 CLE>+ 9/1D ( HID+ 9 ! %AD[S4
   ,HE />$ /RAI<T AT ME4 ,WAT*$4
 ,WAIT$4
   ,! O!RS _HN'T SE5 ME4 ,!Y 7 9T5T ON
 ! NEWBORN CALF4 ,B ? BIG %EPH]D SAW
  ME1 ALL "R4                      A#ABA
   ,8 LIPS CURL$ BACK1 B>+ %>P :ITE
 FANGS4 ,8 EYES BURN$ )A SIL5T FURY4
 ,BURN$ )A HUNGRY FIRE Z HE />$ AT ME4
   ,I 0 TOO SC>$ 6MOVE4 ,TOO FROZ5
 6BR1K & RUN4 ,TOO NUMB 9 MY FE> 6EV5
 ?9K AB GRA29' UP A /ICK OR ROCK4 ,I
 ONLY /OOD "!4 ,FROZ54 ,HOLD+ MY BR1?4
   ,KITTY'S FI]CE GR[L1 !N 8
 BLOOD-*ILL9' %RIEK ( PA91 BROKE !
 SIL;E4
   ,X BROKE ! SPELL : HELD MY EYES 6T
 HUNGRY GL>E (! ,G]MAN %EPH]D4
   ,I TURN$ 6SEE :AT 0 HAPP5+ 6MY PUP4
   ,! F\R DOGS _H MOV$ \ 96! OP5 N[4
 ,&! F/ "O1 ! BI7E/ (! PACK1 0 LOCK$ 9
 MORTAL -BAT ) ,KITTY4
   ,!Y GR[L$ & YELP$4 ,TANGL$ TGR 9 A
 ----------------------------------#ABB
 SWIRL+ MASS ( SNAPP+ JAWS & B>$ FANGS4
 ,L1P9' 96! AIR1 SLA%+ & TE>9' AT EA*
 O!R ) SAVAGE FURY4
   ,A MOVE;T ON MY LEFT />TL$ ME4
   ,! BIG ,G]MAN %EPH]D CAME LOP+ ACR !
 CLE>+ T[>D ! T]RIFY+ FI<T4        #ABG
    ,I FELT TREM#S />T 9 ! SMALL   A#ABB
 ( MY BACK4
   ,!N1 L A BRAN* SNAPP+ 9 A W9D/ORM1
 "S?9' 9 ME SNAPP$4
   ,! OLD PANIC TOOK HOLD ( ME4 ,%OOK
 ME "O "T1 R1L GD1 & S5T ME SCR1M9' 9 A
 BL RUN T[>D ! PA?4
   ,X 0 L ! "D ,SAMMY SICK$ 8 DOG ON
 ME4 ,L ! "D :5 ,I 0 R1L LL & T DOG
 JUMP$ ON ME NE> \R A"P;T 9 ,/4 ,L\IS4
 ,TOOK ME BACK 6T HOSPITAL ROOM ": !
 NURSES & DOCTORS _H 6HOLD ME D[N
 'CAUSE ^? RABIES %OTS HURT S M* ,I _H
 6SCR1M & JUMP UNTIL ,I 0 WORN \4
   ,ALL T CAME 6ME4 ,"EY?+1 ALL PIL$ UP
 TGR4 ,ALL ! ?"\S1 MEMORIES1 PA91 FE>4
 ,X ALL CAME TUMBL+ "? MY H1D4
   ,I SCR1M$1 B ,I DIDN'T "K ! S.D CAME
 F ME4 ,X S.D$ F> (F1 L "SBODY ELSE4 ,!
 TE>S ROLL$ D[N MY *EEKS4
   ,& ,I RAN4 ,RAN L ,I'D N"E RUN 2F4
 ----------------------------------#ABC
               ,*APT] #AB
 
   ,X M/ H BE5 A ROCK4 ,EI T OR A /ICK
  OR A HALF-BURI$ TREE ROOT4       A#ABC
 ,:AT"E '''
   ,I REMEMB] "S?9' HITT9' ! TOP ( MY
 BOOT1 "R AB ! ANKLE4 ,!N ,I F.D MYF
 FLY9' "? ! AIR4
   ,! ?ICK BRU% SNAPP$ Z ,I FELL 96X4
 ,%>P BRAN*ES /UNG AG/ MY HALF-FROZ5
 E>S4 ,TORE AT ! SK9 ON MY *EEKS &
 FACE4
   ,I HIT )A B"O-J>R+ ?UD T RATTL$ MY
 TEE?4 ,KNOCK$ ! BR1? CL1N \ ( ME 9 "O
 BIG :OO%4
   ,A %>P PA9 BIT 96MY KNEE4 ,& :5 ,I
 F9,Y
 ----------------------------------#ABD
 /OPP$ TUMBL+ & ROLL+1 ANO!R %>P PA9 0
 JA29' AT MY BACK4
   ,! HURT9' M/ H BE5 :AT SNAPP$ ME \ (
 MY BL PANIC4
   ,I SAT UP1 GASP+ 6CAT* MY BR1?4
   ,I FELT MY =EH1D WR9KLE :5 ,I RU2$
 AT MY "R KNEE4 ,"! 0 A TE> 9 MY PANTS4
 ,! DAMP1 W>M FEEL ( BLOOD >.D ! T5D]
 FLE%4
   ,)A GRUNT1 ,I RAIS$ UP (F !     #ABI
  ROCK T 0 POK9' ME 9 ! BACK4      A#ABD
 ,PANT$ = AIR & LOOK$ >.D4
   ,=A SECOND1 ,I CDN'T REMEMB] ": ,I
 WAS4 ,X 0 L T "D AT ! /ADIUM PLAY+
 FOOTBALL )! GUYS4 ,!N ! T]ROR GRA2$
 HOLD ( ME4 ,I SORTA BLACK$ \ =A SECOND
 & DIDN'T RE,Y REMEMB] :AT _H HAPP5$4
   ,!N ,I HE>D ,KITTY4
   ,I DON'T "K H[ ,I KNEW X 0 HM4 ,"! 7
 VOICES F O!R DOGS4 ,GR[L+4 ,SN>L9' &
 B>K9'4 ,B :5 ,I HE>D ,KITTY'S VOICE1
 ,I KNEW X 0 HM4
   ,HE 0 / SQUALL9' MAD ) FI<T4 ,GR[L9'
 & SQU1L9' J L HE _H ! "D HE TORE 96!
 CATS4
   ,ONLY ? "T ! S.D ( HM 0 "SH[ DI6]5T4
   ,"S?+ T TOLD HE 0 9 A FI<T 6! D1?4
 ,N A FI<T = FOOD OR = FUN--A FI<T = 8
 V LIFE4
 ----------------------------------#ABE
   ,MY LEGS HELD ME :5 ,I /OOD4 ,! "R
 KNEE HURT "S?9' T]RI#1 B EV5 LIMP9'
 BAD1 X DIDN'T SL[ ME M*4
   ,I _H A /ICK 9 MY H&4 ,A BIG1 H1VY
 /ICK4
    ,I DON'T REMEMB] HUNT+ = X4    A#ABE
 ,DON'T EV5 REMEMB] PICK+ X UP4 ,X 0 J
 "!4
   ,I RECKON ,I CD H BE5 ?9K+ A LOT (
 ?+S4 ,?9K+ AB H[ ,I'D RAIS$ ,KITTY F A
 PUP4 ,H[ ,I'D KEPT HM F />V+ 6D1?4
 ,REMEMB]+ ALL ! "TS WE'D PLAY$ TGR OR
 *AS$ >.D ! C.TRYSIDE ) ,B1UTY4 ,I CD H
 BE5 ?9K+ T ,KITTY 0 TRY+ 6SAVE \R C[ &
 H] CALF1 & ,I %D H BE5 "! HELP+ HM1
 9/1D ( RUNN+ (F SC>$4
   ,ONLY ,I DIDN'T ?9K ANY ( ^? ?+S4 ,N
 UNTIL AF X 0 ALL OV]4
   ,X 0 L MY H1D 0 EMPTY4 ,I WASN'T
 ?9K+ ANY?+ AT ALL4
   ,I 0 RUNN+ BACK UP ! PA?4 ,LIMP+ ON
 MY HURT KNEE & HANG+ ONTO ! CLUB 9 MY
 H& = DE> LIFE4
   ,KITTY'S CRY CAME 6MY E>S AG4
   ,AT T MO;T1 8 VOICE 0 ! ONLY ?+ 9 !
 _W4 ,NO?+ ELSE4 ,NO ?"\S4 ,NO PANIC OR
 FE> ( DOGS4 ,NO FEEL9' (! D>K;S CLOS+
 9 >.D ME4 ,J 8 VOICE4 ,8 HURT1
 DESP]ATE VOICE1 GR[+ W1K] 0! SECOND4
                                   #ACA
    ,A LIMP+ RUN BROKE ME F !       #ABF
 BRU%Y PA? & 96! CLE>+ 0! POND4
   ,ACR F ME1 ,I CD SEE ! DOGS4 ,?REE
 (! FIVE _H JUMP$ ,KITTY4
   ,I CD SEE HM /RU7L+1 "R SQU>E 9 !
 MI4LE ( !M4 ,SN>L+ & FL++ HMF1 ALM
 HELP.S Z !Y DRA7$ HM 6! GR.D4
   ,! BIG ,G]MAN %EPH]D T _H />$ AT ME
 _H HOLD ( ,KITTY'S LEG4 ,HE /RET*$ X \
 F HM4 ,PULL$ HM (F BAL.E J 5 S ! O!R
 TWO CD KNOCK HM D[N4
   ,"O (! O!RS _H ,KITTY 0"O E>4 ,B
 ,KITTY _H HM 0! ?ROAT4 ,HANG+ 6HM1 EV5
 :ILE ! O!R TWO DOGS 7 RIPP9' HM A"P4
 ,HANG+ 6HM )A D1? GRIP4
   ,! ?IRD DOG _H ,KITTY 0! BACK4 ,EV5
 9 ! HALF D>K;S (! LL VALLEY1 ,I CD SEE
 ! BLOOD %OOT+ F 2N 8 FI]CE JAWS4
   ,! SI<T ( ^? DOGS TRY+ 6TE> ,KITTY
 6%R$S S5T A FIRE BOIL+ "? ME4 ,MY TEE?
 CLAMP$ TGR S H>D ,I CD FEEL ! GR9D+
 CL1N 6! TOP ( MY H1D4
   ,I RAIS$ ! CLUB ) BO? H&S4
   ,KITTY CRI$ \ 9 PA94 ,EV5 ) 8 JAWS
 CLAMP$ TI<T >.D ! DOG'S ?ROAT1 ,I CD
  HE> 8 :IMP]+ VOICE TELL+ !       A#ABF
 :OLE _W HE'D LO/ 8 BATTLE4
 ----------------------------------#ABG
   ,I BR"\ ! CLUB D[N ) E \NCE ( /R5G?
 9 MY BODY4 ,X :I/L$ "? ! CRISP W9T]
 AIR4 ,F.D XS M>K1 SQU>E 9 ! C5T] (!
 ,G]MAN %EPH]D'S BACK4
   ,HE LET \ A />TL$ YELP4 ,I FELT "S?+
 CRACK4
   ,!N1 8 LEGS FLEW \ F "U HM4 ,HE FELL
 6! GR.D ) 8 M\? OP5+ & CLOS+4 ,8 LEGS
 *URN$ E : WAY1 B HE CDN'T GET UP4
   ,I KNEW ,I'D BROK5 8 BACK4
   ,! DOG T _H BE5 BIT+ ,KITTY'S BACK
 _H MOV$ >.D 9 FRONT ( HM4 ,HE _H HM 0!
 S(T "P (! BELLY4 ,I CD SEE 0HIS JAWS !
 PLACE ": HE'D TORN A WIDE GAP 9
 ,KITTY'S /OMA*4
   ,HE SAW ME1 TOO4 ,J Z ,I RAIS$ !
 CLUB1 HE LET G ( ,KITTY & TURN$ 6RUN4
   ,I BR"\ ! CLUB D[N FA/4 ,AIM$ BL &
 SWUNG H>D4
   ,! BL[ CAU<T HM4 ,X 0 A GLANC+ BL[4
 ,X /RUCK AG/ ! SIDE ( 8 H1D4 ,!N ! 5D
 ( MY CLUB BROKE Z X SLAMM$ AG/    #ACC
  ! GR.D4                          A#ABG
   ,! DOG YELP$ ) PA94 ,HE /A7]$
 SIDEWAYS1 !N FELL 6! GR.D4 ,AF WALL]+
 >.D =A SECOND1 HE 0 ON 8 FEET4 ,YELP+
 & PIT*+ Z HE /A7]$ 9 CIRCLES4
   ,I KNEW ,I'D ONLY DAZ$ HM1 S ,I
 RAIS$ :AT 0 LEFT ( MY CLUB & />T$ = HM
 AG4
 ----------------------------------#ABH
   ,I 0 S BUSY ?9K+ AB KNOCK+ ^? DOGS
 (F ,KITTY1 ,I =GOT AB ! TWO :O 7 WAT*+
 F ! $GE (! BATTLE4
   ,ALL AT ONCE1 "S?+ HIT ! BACK ( MY
 LEG4 ,I FELT A %>P1 SE>+ PA94 ,YELL$
 \4 ,SCR1M$ Z L;G1 :ITE FANGS TORE "?
 MY FLE% & 96MUSCLE4
   ,I FELT MYF FALL+4
   ,I SCR1M$ AG4
   ,SU45LY1 ,KITTY CAME 6LIFE4
   ,=A "T "!1 ,I ?"\ HE 0 ALM D1D4 ,8
 /OMA* 0 TORN OP5 & "! 7 BLE$+ CUTS ALL
 OV] 8 BACK & %\LD]S4 ,HE 0 S W1K T HE
 CD J B>ELY HOLD 6T O!R DOG'S ?ROAT4
   ,B J Z ,I HIT ! GR.D1 ,I SAW HM LET
 G ( 8 D1? GRIP & *>GE T[>D ME4
    ,8 ATTACK KNOCK$ ! DOG F MY    A#ABH
 LEG4 ,I FELT ! FLE% TE> 2T 8 TEE?4
 ,HE>D ! RIPP+ S.D ( MY PANT LEG %R$D+
 AWAY4
   ,KITTY RO>$ & SN>L$ ) M FURY & ANG]
 ?AN ,I "E HE>D4 ,HE 0 L ! SWIRL+ W9D F
 A BAD /ORM4 ,8 RAGE KNOCK$ ! DOG LOOSE
 F ME & S5T !M BO? SP9N+ T[>D ! C5T] (!
 DRY POND4
   ,I LAY "!1 WAT*+ ,KITTY TAKE ! DOG
 AWAY F ME4 ,!N MY />TL$ M9D CLE>$ 5
 6REMEMB] T "! 7 / TWO M DOGS4
   ,TREMBL+1 ,I /A7]$ 6MY FEET4 ,ANY
 SECOND1 ,I
 ----------------------------------#ABI
 EXPECT$ ANO!R DOG 6-E TE>+ 96ME4
 ,EXPECT$ 6FEEL ! PA9 ( FI]CE TEE?4
   ,!Y W]5'T "!4
   ,! O!R DOG T _H BE5 WAT*+ ! FI<T &!
 "O ,I'D HIT )! GLANC+ BL[ AG/ ! SIDE
 (! H1D 7 G"O4 ,SC>$ & %AK+1 ,I LOOK$
 ALL >.D = !M4 ,F> UP ! HILL ,I CD HE>
 !M MOV+ "? ! BRU% AT A FA/ RUN4
   ,! ,G]MAN %EPH]D ,I'D HIT LAY / &
 LIFE.S ON ! GR.D4 ,! DOG ,KITTY   #ACE
  _H 0! ?ROAT 0 /A7]+ >.D A FEW    A#ABI
 FEET F ME4 ,8 H1D HUNG L[1 & ,I CD HE>
 ! BU2L+ S.D :5 HE TRI$ 6BR1!4
   ,I />$ 96! D>K;S AT HM4 ,BLOOD
 DRIPP$ F 8 M\?4 ,9 8 ?ROAT1 ":
 ,KITTY'S JAWS _H BE51 BLOOD & AIR
 BUB#D \ F DEEP HOLES4
   ,HE /A7]$ "S4 ,FELL4 ,8 ?ROAT RATTL$
 = BR1? Z HE DI$4
   ,ALL AT ONCE1 ! *ILLS %OT UP MY
 BACK4 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT X 0 AT F/4 ,!N
 ,I NOTIC$ ! QUIET4
   ,ONLY A SECOND AGO1 ,KITTY'S BATTLE
 _H BE5 RAG+ 2H ME4
   ,N[ "! 0 NO?+ "! B QUIET4
   ,I :EEL$ >.D4
   ,KITTY 0 LAY+ ON 8 BACK4 ,! O!R DOG
 /OOD OV] HM4 ,8 TEE? 7 BURI$ 9
 ,KITTY'S NECK4
   8,NO60 ,I SCR1M$4
 ----------------------------------#ACJ
   ,I RAC$ T[>D !M4 ,PLANT$ "O FOOT J Z
 ,I GOT "! & KICK$ )! O!R4
   ,! DOG YELP$4 ,I FELT ! TOE ( MY
 BOOT DIG DEEP 96HIS RIBS4 ,HE LET G (
  ,KITTY'S ?ROAT & TOOK (F         A#ACJ
 RUNN+4 ,A FEW FEET AWAY1 HE /OPP$4 ,I
 GRA2$ UP A /ICK & TOOK AF HM4 ,TAIL
 TUCK$1 HE LIT \ = GD4
   ,I GUESS HE _H BE5 S BUSY FI<T+1 HE
 =GOT ALL AB ! C[ & CALF HE &! O!R DOGS
 9 ! PACK _H -E AF 9 ! F/ PLACE4
 ',CAUSE1 :5 HE TURN$ 6RUN1 HE W5T
 /RAI<T UP ! DRAW ": ! HEIF] & H] BABY
 W]E4
   ,X 0 S D>K 9 T DRAW1 ,I N"E DID SEE
 :AT HAPP5$4 ,A FEW M9UTES AF ! DOG RAN
 9 "!1 ?\<1 ,I HE>D ! OLD C[ BELL[4 ,!N
 ,I HE>D ! DOG YELP &A :OLE BUN* ( BRU%
 SNAPP+ & CRA%+ >.D4
   ,I KNEW ! OLD HEIF] TOOK C>E ( HM1 B
 GD4
   ,! BATTLE 0 OV]4 ,I TURN$ ON %AK+
 LEGS & W5T BACK 6": ,I'D LEFT MY DOG
 LY+ 9 ! BOTTOM (! DRY POND B$4
   ,I KNEW HE'D 2 D1D :5 ,I GOT "!4
 ,D1D1 OR S F> G"O ,I CDN'T HELP HM4 ,B
 ,I _H 6"K = SURE4
   ,! TE>S ROLL$ D[N MY *EEKS4 ,I WIP$
 !M ) MY COAT SLEEVE & KNELT 2S    #ACG
  MY DOG4                          B#ACJ
   ,HE :IMP]$ :5 ,I T\*$ HM4
 ----------------------------------#ACA
   8,Y'RE GONNA 2 ALL "R1 BOY10 ,I SD4
   ,ONLY ,I KNEW ,I 0 LY+4 ,I KNEW HE 0
 GONNA DIE4
   ,!N1 MY M\? FELL S WIDE OP5 X NE>LY
 T\*$ ! GR.D4
   ,"SH[1 ,KITTY 0 ON 8 FEET4
   ,HE 0 WA7+ T L;G1 FLOPPY TAIL4
 ,B\NC+ >.D & LOPP+ ME 9 ! FACE ) 8
 SLOPPY1 WET T;GUE4
   ,I DIDN'T PU% HM AWAY L ,I USU,Y
 DID4 ,I J LET HM LICK ME4 ,I HELD HM 9
 MY >MS & CRI$4 ,LAU<$ & CRI$ TILL ,I
 CD H>DLY CAT* MY BR1?4
   8,Y'RE GONNA 2 ALL "R1 BOY10 ,I SD
 AG4
   ,? "T1 ,I WASN'T LY+ 6HM4 ,T ?ICK
 HIDE ( 8 _H SAV$ HM F ! DOG'S NECK
 HOLD4
   ,I CALM$ HM "S4 ,HELD HM \ AT >M'S
 L5G? 6H A GD LOOK AT HM4
   ,"! 7 CUTS ALL OV] 8 BACK & %\LD]S4
 ,"O E> 0 BIT CL1N (F--NO?+ LEFT B A
  %ORT1 BLOODY /UB4 ,! TE> 9 8     A#ACA
 /OMA* 0 ! WOR/4
   ,B N"O ( 8 9SIDES _H SPILL$ \4 ,& ,I
 KNEW T IF ,I CD GET 6! H\SE ": ,MAMA
 CD TAKE C>E ( HM1 HE'D 2 GD Z NEW 9 NO
 "T4
   8,ALL ,I GOT 6D IS GET Y HOME10 ,I
 SD4
   ,!N ,I REP1T$ ! ^WS1 L !Y 7 F> (F &
 F"R5+1 8,ALL ,I GOT 6D IS GET Y HOME40
   ,B H[8
 ----------------------------------#ACB
   ,HOME 0 TWO MILES AWAY4 ,TWO MILES (
 H>D WALK+4 ,I 0 AFRAID 6LET ,KITTY
 WALK1 'CAUSE HE MI<T TE> T /OMA* W.D
 OP5 & RE,Y HURT HMF4
   ,I WASN'T 9 M* %APE 6C>RY HM1 EI4
 ,"O LEG 0 PRETTY WELL TORN UP4 ,F/ F
 BU/9' MY KNEE OP5 :5 ,I FELL ON T %>P
 ROCK1 & SECOND F HAV+ ! BACK ( X *EW$
 0! DOG4
   ,:ILE ,KITTY & ME 7 FI<T+ = \R
 LIVES1 ,I _HN'T NOTIC$ X4 ,N[ T "EY?+
 0 OV] & ,I'D SAT D[N 6RE/1 ,I CD FEEL
 ! PA94 ,X 0 AN A*+1 ?RO2+ PA94    #ACI
  ,HURT+ BAD 5 6BR+ ! TE>S 6MY     A#ACB
 EYES4
   ,! LL VALLEY ": \R DRY POND SAT 0
 D>K N[4 ,"! 0 A GRAY GL[ 9 ! SKY4 ,!
 SUN _H SET 2Y ! HORIZON &! LI<T F !
 $GES ( HI< CL\DS 0 ALL WE _H4 ,X
 WASN'T 5 6SEE BY4
   ,I SAT D[N 2S ,KITTY4 ,HE CRAWL$ UP
 AG/ ME & :9$4 ,:5 ,I PETT$ HM1 HE
 LICK$ MY H&4
   ,T'S :5 X />T$ -+ 6ME1 ALL ! ?+S T
 _H HAPP5$1 ALL ! ?+S T CD H HAPP5$4
   ,X GAVE ME ! %AKES1 ALL OV]4 ,I FELT
 SICK 6MY /OMA*1 TOO4 ,KITTY NUZZL$ UP
 AG/ ME4 ,LICK$ AT ME1 L HE 0 TRY+
 6TAKE C>E ( ME4 ,& ALL AL;G1 HE 0 ! "O
 NE$+ C>E4
 ----------------------------------#ACC
   ,T MADE ME CRY EV5 M4
   ,I FELT S HELP.S4 ,I 0 HURT &! COLD
 0 MOV+ 96ME4 ,-+ )! NI<T 6*ILL MY ALR
 A*+ BODY4 ,?"\S & VI.NS (! BAD ?+S T
 CD H HAPP5$ 6ME & ,KITTY KEPT -+ 6MY
 M9D4 ,WOR/ ( ALL1 MY PUP NE$$ HELP &
 "! 0 NO WAY ,I CD GET X = HM4
    ,T'S :5 ,I HE>D ! HORN         A#ACC
 HONK+4
   ,! S.D CAME F ! PICKUP D[N 9 ! MU4Y
 FIELD4
   ,I ?REW MY H1D BACK & />T$ YELL+4
   ,MAMA 0 "!4 ,"!1 PROBABLY WORRI$
 SICK AB ME & TRY+ 6F9D ME4 ,I HOLL]$
 L\D]4 ,KEPT HOLL]+ UNTIL ,I SAW !
 FLA%LI<T BO2+ & FLICK]+ UP ! PA? T[>D
 ! POND4
   ,T FLA%LI<T 0 ! PRETTIE/ SI<T ,I "E
 SAW4
 ------------------------------#ACD-ACE
               ,*APT] #AC
 
   ,I 0 "R PR\D ( ,MAMA4 ,%E DIDN'T
 MAKE A BIG FUSS & G 6BAWL9' :5 %E F.D
 U4 ,%E DIDN'T GET GU%Y & SMOO* ALL OV]
 ME AF %E GOT U BACK 6! H\SE1 EI4
   ,%E KEPT H] H1D R1L GD4 ,"! 0 S M* T
 NE$$ 6BE D"O1 ,I RECKON %E DIDN'T H
 "T4 ,%E GOT ?+S D"O1 TOO1 )\T ! L1/ LL
 FUSS4
   ,F/ (F1 %E TRI$ 6CALL A DOCTOR = ME4
 ,X 0 LATE1 & ALL %E GOT 7 ^?      #ADA
  RECORD+ ?+S ON ! PH"O T TOLD     A#ACE
 H] 6L1VE H] "N & NUMB] &! DOCTOR WD
 CALL 9 ! MORN+4 ,S %E CALL$ ,BRAD'S
 "M1 H] CLOSE/ FR1 & %E SD
 ----------------------------------#ACF
 %E KNEW A DOCTOR1 & !Y'D 2 "! QK Z
 POSSI#4
   ,NEXT1 ,MAMA CALL$ ! VET4 ,%E TOLD
 ME %E DIDN'T "K A ?+ AB PAT*+ UP A
 DOG4 ,& AF ,I KEPT PE/]+ H] =A :ILE1
 %E CALL$4
   ,MR4 ,/UB# GOT "! 2F ! DOCTOR DID4
 ,HE TOLD ,MAMA HE'D CALL$ ! ,%]IFF1 &
 !Y'D -E & F9D ! DOGS4 ,TAKE !M
 6,OKLAHOMA ,C;Y =! TE/S 6MAKE SURE !Y
 DIDN'T H RABIES4
   ,T S5T A SC>E RUNN+ "? ME4 ,I CD /
 REMEMB] HAV+ 6TAKE ^? RABIES %OTS BACK
 9 ,/4 ,L\IS4 ,I PRAY$ & BE7$ T ,I
 WDN'T H 6G "? T PA9 AG4
   ,AF T1 HE SET 6"W PAT*+ ,KITTY UP4
 ,HE SD ! CUTS & BITES W]5'T BAD1 B T !
 "O 9 8 /OMA* & ANO!R ON ! BACK ( 8
 NECK WD NE$ /IT*ES4
   ,KITTY 0 BRAVE AB FI<T+ (F A PACK (
  WILD DOGS 6SAVE ! LL CALF4 ,B    A#ACF
 :5 X CAME 62+ DOCTOR$1 ,I RECKON HE 0
 AN EV5 BI7] C[>D ?AN ,I WAS4
   ,MR4 ,/UB# GOT \ A C\PLE ( %OTS
 6GIVE HM1 & ,KITTY ?REW A REGUL> FIT4
 ,HE />T$ SQUALL+ & F9,Y BROKE AWAY F
 ,MAMA & TOOK \ RUNN+4
   ,I BET ,MAMA &! VET *AS$ T CRAZY DOG
 "? ! H\SE = ?IRTY M9UTES 2F !Y
 ----------------------------------#ACG
 F9,Y CAU<T HM & WRE/L$ HM 6! KIT*5
 TA#4
   ,! %OTS CALM$ HM4 ,B N 5 6KEEP HM F
 Y[L+ & SNAPP+ :5 ! VET TRI$ 6/IT* UP 8
 W.DS4
   ,X TOOK ,MAMA & ME &! VET 6HOLD T
 DOG D[N4
   ,BRAD & 8 MOM GOT "! )! DOCTOR AB !
 "T WE 7 HALFWAY "?4 ,BRAD & 8 MOM TOOK
 \R PLACES HOLD+ ,KITTY D[N :ILE !
 DOCTOR FIX$ ME UP4
   ,I 0 SURE GLAD :5 HE SD "! WASN'T
 ANY NE$ = /IT*ES4 ,HE GAVE ME ?REE
 %OTS4 ,CL1N$ \ ! CUT 9 MY KNEE )
 HYDROG5 P]OXIDE & !N PUT A        #ADC
  BUTT]FLY B&AGE OV] X4 ,HE        A#ACG
 SPRAY$ ! DOG BITE ) "S K9D ( 49FECTANT
 T ALM MADE ME CLIMB ! WALL4 ,!N HE SD
 "! WASN'T M* ELSE HE CD D = X4
   ,! ,%]IFF &A BUN* ( M5 DROVE UP AB
 T5 M9UTES LAT]4 ,I TOLD !M ": ! DOGS
 _H JUMP$ ,KITTY & ME1 &A :OLE BUN* (
 M5 />T$ \ 6F9D !M4
   ,"O (! M5 TOLD ,MAMA HE _H CALL$ !
 /ATE H1L? DE"P;T 9 ,OKLAHOMA ,C;Y1 &
 !Y SD !Y'D H M5 WAIT+ "! 6EXAM9E !
 DOGS = RABIES Z SOON Z !Y BR"\ !M IN4
   ,! VET SD "! PROBABLY WASN'T M* NE$
 TO
 ----------------------------------#ACH
 WORRY AB RABIES1 'CAUSE X 0 M LIKELY 9
 SPR+ ?AN W9T]1 L N[4
   ,T DIDN'T HELP ME1 ?\<4 ,"! 0 A KNOT
 9 MY /OMA*4 ,A %AK+ 9 MY >MS T J WDN'T
 /OP :5 ,I ?"\ AB ^? RABIES %OTS4
   ,AF A LL BIT1 ,I />T$ FEEL+ SLEEPY1
 ?\<4 ,MAMA TOLD ME X 0 "O (! %OTS !
 DOCTOR GAVE ME4
   ,I F"\ X Z L;G Z ,I CD4 ,"! 0 TOO M*
 GO+ ON = ME 6SLEEP4 ,TOO _M P >.D4
  ,TOO M* -MO;N4                   A#ACH
   ,B FI<T+ 0 NO USE4 ,:AT"E 0 9 T %OT
 0 /R;G] ?AN ,I 0 &1 9 NO "T1 ,I FELT
 MY EYES GETT9' DROOPY & MY H1D ROLL+
 >.D4 ,I F9,Y GAVE X UP4 ,W5T 6SLEEP
 DESPITE ! NOISE & -MO;N4
 
   ,! S.D (A SIR5 BR"\ MY EYES OP54 ,I
 CD TELL 0! LI<T -+ 9 ! W9D[ T X 0
 "D"T4
   ,! SIR5 GOT L\D] & L\D]4 ,!N ,I CD
 TELL X 0 "R \TSIDE ! H\SE & / GO+4
   ,I BL9K$ A C\PLE ( "TS4 ,SAT UP ON !
 $GE (! C\* & LOOK$ >.D4
   ,\R LIV+ ROOM 0 FILL$ ) P4 ,! VET &!
 DOCTOR 7 / "!4 ,S 7 ,BRAD & 8 MOM4
 ,"S"T :ILE ,I 0 ASLEEP1 ,BRAD'S "F _H
 ----------------------------------#ACI
 -E4 ,"! 7 NEI<BOR FOLKS1 TOO4 ,!
 ,JESS5S F AB A MILE NOR? ( \R PLACE4
 ,! ,RODG]S &! ,SIMMONS &! ,PRI4LES 7
 "!1 TOO4
   ,"EYBODY 0 WAT*+ ! DOOR4
   ,! DOOR FLEW OP5 &A MAN :O _H -E )!
 ,%]IFF LA/ NI<T RU%$ IN4 ,HE 0    #ADE
  WAV+ A PIECE ( PAP] 9 8 H&4      A#ACI
 ,SMIL+ F E> 6E>4
   8,!Y'RE ALL "R10 HE %\T$4 8,! DOGS
 >E OKAY4 ,NO RABIES40
   ,:AT HE SD S5T A *ILL "? ME4 ,MADE
 MY HE>T P.D TILL ,I ?"\ X 0 GONNA JUMP
 "R \ ( MY *E/4
   ,ALL ! P SITT+ >.D *E]$4 ,!N1
 "EYBODY LOOK$ AT ME4
   ,ALL ! FOLKS MADE OV] ME4 ,PATT$ ME
 ON ! BACK & %\LD] :ILE ,MAMA HU7$ ME
 UP TI<T4
   8,DID Y HE>80 ,MAMA SNI6$4
   ,I HU7$ H]4
   8,YES1 ,MAMA4 ,I HE>D40
   ,"EYBODY 0 LAU<+ & TALK+4 ,& SU45LY1
 ABV ALL ! -MO;N1 ,I HE>D ,DAD'S VOICE4
   8,:AT ! '''0 ,HE /OPP$4 ,CLE>$ 8
 ?ROAT4 8,:AT ON E>?'S HAPP5$80
   ,DAD LIK$ 6?R[ A WALL-EY$ FIT4 ,HE
 KEPT RUNN+ >.D ! H\SE ASK+ "QS1
 YELL9'1 &1 9 G5]AL1 MAK+ A -PLETE PE/
 \ ( HMF4
   ,I DIDN'T BLAME HM = GETT+ S EXCIT$4
 ,AF ALL1
  "! 0 A %]IFF'S C> ) XS SIR5 GO+   #ADJ
 \TSIDE4 ,!N "! 7 A :OLE BUN* ( O!R
 C>S1 N 6M5;N ALL ! P 9SIDE ! H\SE4
   ,I RECKON HE WD H G"O "R ON ASK+
 ,MAMA :AT _H HAPP5$--!N RUNN+ (F 6ASK
 "SBODY ELSE1 2F %E CD ANSW] HM--IF X
 _HN'T BE5 = ,MR4 ,/UB#4
   ,! VET F9,Y TOLD ,DAD HE 0 GONNA
 GIVE HM "O (! TRANQUILIZ] %OTS HE US$
 ON C[S IF HE DIDN'T SETTLE D[N4
   ,MAMA TOLD ,DAD ALL T _H G"O ON4 ,&
 "EYBODY ELSE 9 ! H\SE _H 6JUMP 9 & ADD
 6H] /ORY4 ,! M5 F ! ,%]IFF'S DE"P;T
 KEPT SAY+ H[ BRAVE ,I 0 & H[ !Y'D HATE
 6TANGLE ) ME & MY DOG1 AF :AT WE'D D"O
 6^? ?REE H.DS4 ,! DOCTOR TOLD HM H[
 BRAVE ,I 0 AB GETT+ DOCTOR$4 ,&! VET
 TOLD HM H[ ,KITTY _H ACT$1 & AB HM &
 ,MAMA HAV+ 6*ASE HM ALL OV] ! H\SE4
   ,"EYBODY 0 EXCIT$ & HAPPY4 ,"EYBODY
 0 LAU<+ & ALL TRY+ 6TALK AT ONCE4
   ,X 0 PRETTY EXCIT+ = ME1 TOO4 ,B AF
 LI/5+ 6ALL T /UFF = WELL OV] AN H\R1
 ,I GOT K9DA BOR$ ) X4
   ,"EYBODY 0 CLUMP$ UP >.D        #ADG
  ,MAMA & ,DAD AT ! KIT*5 TA#4     A#ADJ
 ,& S9CE NOBODY 0 WAT*+1 ,I FIGUR$ ? WD
 2 Z GD A "T
 ----------------------------------#ADA
 Z ANY = ,BRAD & ME 6SN1K (F4
   ,MAMA & ,DAD _H BE5 SAY+ ,I CD H
 ,BRAD \ 6SP5D ! NI<T4 ,B :AT ) ALL !
 *ORES & S*OOL & ,DAD 2+ AWAY1 WE N"E
 _H "T4
   ,:ILE "EYBODY 0 BUSY TALK+ 6,DAD1 ,I
 MO;N$ ,BRAD OV]4 ,HE _H ME PUT MY >M
 OV] 8 %\LD] S HE CD HELP ME WALK4 ,!N
 WE H1D$ UP/AIRS4
   ,MAMA _H PUT ,KITTY ON A PILE (
 T[ELS AT ! FOOT ( MY B$4 ,HE 0 / K9DA
 W1K & GRO7Y4 ,9/1D ( WA7L+ ALL OV] &
 TRY+ 6JUMP UP ON ME :5 ,I CAME IN1 HE
 J LIFT$ 8 H1D A LL & :IMP]$4
   ,BRAD & ,I SAT D[N 2S HM & PETT$ HM4
   8,EV5 ALL *EW$ UP &) /IT*ES 9 HM1
 HE'S / A F9E-LOOK9' DOG10 ,BRAD SD4
   ,I %RU7$4
   8,HE'S J AN OLE /RAY4 ,N WOR? M*4
 ,HE'S SORTA L A BAD COLD4 ,HE CAME
 AL;G "O "D1 & ,I HAV5'T BE5 A# 6GET
  RID ( HM40                       A#ADA
   ,I 0 ONLY T1S+ AB ! WAY ,I FELT T[>D
 ,KITTY4 ,HE KNEW X1 TOO1 'CAUSE 8 TAIL
 KEPT WA7+ ALL ! "T ,I 0 TALK+ AB HM4
   ,SURE1 9 ! 2G9N+1 X 0 L ,I SD4 ,I
 DIDN'T ?9K M* ( HM4 ,I DIDN'T WANT HM
 >.D4
   ,N[ X 0 DI6]5T4
   ,I N"E ?"\ ,I CD /& 2+ >.D DOGS1
 ----------------------------------#ADB
 M* LESS LOVE "O4 ,B ,I LOV$ ,KITTY4
 ,LOV$ HM M ?AN J AB ANY?+4
   ,T'S :Y1 :5 HE DI$1 "S?+ DI$ 9 ME1
 TOO4
 ----------------------------------#ADC
               ,*APT] #AD
 
   ,KITTY & ME 7 REGUL> H]OES =A L;G
 "T4 ,! NEWSPAP] 9 T[N WROTE UP A BIG
 /ORY AB H[ ! TWO ( U DE/ROY$ ! PACK (
 WILD DOGS T _H BE5 KILL+ CALVES \ WE/
 ( ,*ICKA%A4
   ,\R W.DS H1L$ QKLY1 & X 0 NO "T 2F
 WE 7 \ RID+ ! C.TRY AG4 ,OP5+
 NEI<BOR'S GATES & EXPLOR+ ALL     #ADI
  OV]4                             A#ADC
   ,AN OIL -PANY MOV$ 9 D[N ! ROAD4 ,!Y
 PUT UP A TALL D]RICK & />T$ DRILL+4 ,I
 SP5T A BIG "P (! SUMM] WAT*+ !M &
 VISIT+ ) "S (! M5 AT ! OIL WELL4
   ,A FELLA "ND ,>?UR ,S5D5S TOOK A R1L
 LIK+ 6ME & ,KITTY4 ,HE US$ 6%>E 8 LUN*
 ) U4 ,&
 ----------------------------------#ADD
 ,I RECKON HE TOLD ME "EY?+ "! 0 6"K AB
 DRILL+ = OIL & OP]AT+ AN OIL WELL4 ,HE
 EV5 TOOK ME UP ON TOP (! D]RICK ONCE4
 
   ,WE 7 H1D$ OV] 6VISIT ,>?UR "O
 ,FRI"D AFN4 ,MOM _H LET ME 9VITE ,BRAD
 \ 6SP5D A FEW "DS1 & ,I 0 GONNA ASK
 ,>?UR IF X 0 ALL "R 6BR+ HM 6SEE !
 RIG4 ,I 0 AL HOP+ HE WD LET ME & ,BRAD
 RIDE 6! TOP (! D]RICK ) HM4
   ,B1UTY & ,I CAME UP AT A GALLOP4 ,"R
 Z WE GOT 9 SI<T (! RIG1 ,I CD SEE
 ,>?UR4 ,HE 0 /&+ ON ! BOOM1 WAY UP TOP
 (! RIG4
   ,HE 0 WAV+ 8 >MS4 ,& ABV ! S.D (!
 MA*9ES1 ,I CD HE> HM YELL+1 8,WAIT6
  ,/OP60                           A#ADD
   ,I YANK$ ,B1UTY UP4 ,YELL$ = ,KITTY4
 ,ONLY1 ,KITTY 0 ?9K+ AB 8 /OMA*1 L
 USUAL1 & EXPECT+ ,>?UR 6FE$ HM :5 HE
 GOT 6! OIL WELL4
   ,I YELL$ AG1 B ,KITTY N"E HE>D ME4
   ,"! 0 A BIG TRUCK BACK$ UP 6! RIG )A
 LOAD ( PIPE ON X4
   ,KITTY W5T TE>+ PA/ ! SIDE ( X4 ,J Z
 HE DID1 !Y REL1S$ ! LOAD ( DRILL+
 PIPE4 ,>?UR 0 YELL+ AT ! M51 TRY+ 6/OP
 !M4
   ,B !Y DIDN'T HE> HM4
   ,! PIPES ROLL$ & TUM#D (F ! TRUCK4
 ----------------------------------#ADE
   ,KITTY 0 "R "U !M4
   ,HE N"E HE>D ^? H1VY1 CRU%+ PIPES -+
 D[N ON HM4 ,N"E HE>D ME OR ,>?UR YELL+
 = HM 6RUN4
   ,! M5 7 R1L SORRY X _H HAPP5$4 ,!Y
 M/ H TOLD ME T A HUNDR$ "TS :ILE
 "EYBODY 0 "W+ 6MOVE ! PILE ( PIPES4
   ,>?UR PICK$ UP ,KITTY'S BODY AF ! M5
 _H MOV$ "EY?+4 ,HE TURN$ >.D1 TRY+
 6HIDE ! SI<T F ME4                #AEA
    8,I'M SORRY1 ,RICKY10 HE SD4   A#ADE
 8,I'LL TAKE C>E ( HM = Y40
   ,I SWALL[$ D[N MY CRIES4
   8,IS HE D1D80
   ,I DIDN'T NE$ 6ASK4 ,I ALR KNEW MY
 PUP 0 G"O4
   8,YES10 ,>?UR ANSW]$4
   ,I SWALL[$ AG4
   8,I BETT] TAKE HM HOME10 ,I SD4 8,HE
 0 MY DOG4 ,I NE$ 6TAKE MY DOG HOME40
   ,I C>RI$ HM ON MY LAP1 ACR ! SA4LE4
 ,B1UTY MOV$ AT A SL[ WALK4 ,H] SLEEPY
 H1D DROOP$ L[4
   ,I CDN'T HELP ?9K+ AB ALL ! BAD ?+S
 ,I'D SD 6,KITTY4 ,AB H[ ,I KEPT TELL+
 HM ,I 0 GONNA BA% 8 H1D )A ROCK :5 ,I
 F/ F.D HM4 ,AB H[ ,I KEPT TELL+ HM ,I
 0 GONNA RUN HM (F Z SOON Z HE GOT WELL
 5 6WALK4 ,AB
 ----------------------------------#ADF
 H[ ,I'D CALL$ HM A C[>D ! "D HE GOT !
 C[ 6*ASE ME4
   ,N[1 HE 0 G"O4 ,N[ X 0 TOO LATE
 6TELL HM T ,I N"E M1NT ALL ^? ?+S4
 ,TOO LATE 6TELL HM H[ M* ,I LOV$ HM4
  ,NE$$ HM4                        A#ADF
   ,I RECKON HE KNEW1 ?\<4 ,I GUESS HE
 KNEW T ALL AL;G4
 
   ,I DON'T REMEMB] CRY+ M*4 ,OR FEEL+
 SICK 6MY /OMA* OR SETT+ UP A BIG FUSS
 :5 ,I TOLD ,MAMA & ,DAD4
   ,I J FELT EMPTY 9SIDE4
   ,I BURI$ HM ON TOP (! T]RACE 0! B>N4
 ,T 0 8 FAVORITE SPOT4 ,! PLACE HE US$
 6SIT & SOAK UP ! SUN :ILE HE 0 WAT*+
 =! CATS4
   ,!N ,I PUT ,B1UTY 9 H] P5 & W5T 6!
 H\SE4
   ,MAMA & ,DAD TRI$ 6TALK 6ME4 ,TRI$
 6HELP ME FEEL BETT]4 ,I LI/5$ 6ALL !Y
 _H 6SAY4 ,LI/5$ :5 ,DAD TOLD ME ,I _H
 6REMEMB] ! GD ?+S1 ! FUN ?+S1 ME &
 ,KITTY US$ 6D TGR4 ,& T H[ DY+ 0
 NATURAL & H[ IF X _HN'T BE5 = T
 A3ID5T1 ,KITTY WD H DI$ SOON] OR LAT]1
 'CAUSE DY+ 0 J A "P ( LIV+4
   ,I LI/5$ 6!M1 B X DIDN'T HELP4 ,T
 EMPTY FEEL+ /AY$ 9SIDE ME4 ,/AY$ "!1
 MAK+ ME                           #AEC
  WAKE UP AT NI<T4 ,MAK+ ME EAT     #ADG
 ONLY HALF ! FOOD ON MY PLATE4 ,MAK+ !
 CORN]S ( MY M\? DROOP 9/1D ( SMIL+4
   ,KITTY 0 D1D4 ,I KNEW ,I'D N"E GET
 OV] ! EMPTY FEEL+ 9SIDE ME4
   ,DAD WANT$ 6GET ME A DOG4 ,B ,I TOLD
 HM ,I DIDN'T WANT "O4 ,I GUESS HE
 "U/OOD1 'CAUSE AF ,I TOLD HM T1 HE N"E
 M5;N$ X AG4
   ,MAMA TRI$ 6*E] ME UP1 TOO4 ,%E TOOK
 ME SWIMM+ & VISIT+ ) FRS 9 T[N4 ,%E
 EV5 LET ,BRAD -E \ AF A C\PLE ( WEEKS
 & SP5D F\R "DS ) U4
   ,ONLY1 NO?+ SEEM$ 6HELP4
   ,I DIDN'T MOPE >.D OR N EAT4 ,"SH[1
 ,I'D MANAG$ 6HIDE ! WAY ,I FELT4
 ,MANAG$ 6SMILE S ,MAMA & ,DAD WDN'T
 WORRY AB ME S4
   ,B 9SIDE1 ,I / FELT ! SAME4 ,/ SAD &
 L"OLY4
 
   ,! WEEK 2F S*OOL />T$1 ,MAMA ?REW ME
 A R1L BIG BIR?"D "PY4 ,%E 9VIT$ ALL MY
 FRS1 & %E F.D \ F S*OOL :O 0 GONNA 2 9
 MY HOMEROOM 9 SIX? GRADE & 9VIT$ MO/ (
  !M1 TOO4                         A#ADG
   ,I DON'T GUESS ,MAMA KNEW H[ ,I FELT
 AB ,SAMMY ,D>L+]1 'CAUSE %E 9VIT$ HM4
   ,SAMMY BR"\ 8 DOG4 ,:5 ,I SAW X1 ,I
 RAN 6TELL HM T ,I DIDN'T WANT T /9K+
 DOG ( 8 "H
 ----------------------------------#ADH
 &= 8 MAMA 6TAKE X BACK HOME4 ,B
 ,SAMMY'S MAMA J DROPP$ HM \ (! C>4 ,&
 2F ,I CD GET "!1 %E DROVE (F4
   ,X 0 A PRETTY GD "PY4 ,I MANAG$
 6LAU< & PLAY )! GUYS4 ,B ALL ! "T1
 9SIDE1 ,I 0 WI%+ X 0 OV] S ,I CD 2
 AL"O4
   ,WE PLAY$ C[BOYS & ,9DIANS ON ! ROCK
 HILL4 ,I LET "S ( !M RIDE ,B1UTY ) ME4
 ,!N WE W5T BACK 6! H\SE = CAKE & ICE
 CR1M4
   ,MAMA & ,DAD _H SAV$ _! PRES5T TILL
 LA/4 ,X 0 A FOOTBALL4 ,I'D ALW WANT$ A
 FOOTBALL1 & ,I TRI$ 6LET !M "K H[
 HAPPY X MADE ME4
   ,WE *OSE UP T1MS4 ,I 0 "O CAPTA9 &
 ,BRAD 0 ! O!R4 ,WE PLAY$ 9 ! PA/URE \
 S\? (! B>N4 ,X 0 AB ! ONLY FLAT   #AEE
  PLACE ON \R L&1 EXCEPT =! /UFF   A#ADH
 ,DAD _H PLANT$ 9 NEXT YE>'S :1T4
   ,Z USUAL1 ,SAMMY 0 8 HATE;L SELF4
 ,JOEL ,HAVELY 0 ! LL/ KID AT MY "PY4
 ,S X ONLY /OOD 6R1SON T ,SAMMY WD S+LE
 HM \ 6PICK ON4
   ,A C\PLE ( "TS1 ,SAMMY TACKL$ ,JOEL
 R1L H>D4 ,!N1 HE TACKL$ HM "O "T :5 HE
 DIDN'T EV5 H ! BALL4 ,JOEL GOT HURT &
 />T$ CRY+4
   ,S9CE HE 0 ON ,BRAD'S T1M1 ,BRAD
 TRI$ 6/RAI<T5 HM UP4 ,SAMMY DIDN'T
 LI/54 ,S9CE X 0 MY "PY1 ,I FIGUR$ X 0
 UP 6ME 6SAY "S?+4
 ----------------------------------#ADI
   8,:Y DON'T Y L1VE ,JOEL AL"O1
 ,SAMMY80
   ,HE GOT T R1L SM>T LOOK ON 8 FACE4
   8,M9D YR [N BUSI;S10 HE SNAPP$4 8,I
 A9'T HURT9' HM N"O4 ,HE'S J 2+ A
 BABY40
   8,Y'RE 2+ TOO R\<1 ,SAMMY4 ,:Y DON'T
 Y L1VE HM AL"O80
   ,SAMMY PUT 8 H&S ON 8 HIPS4 ,M>*$ UP
 6ME :5 ,I HELP$ ,JOEL (F ! GR.D & DU/$
  8 %IRT4                          A#ADI
   8,Y GONNA MAKE ME1 ,RICKY80
   ,I LOOK$ HM SQU>E 9 ! EYE4
   8,IF ,I H TO4 ,& ,I "K BETT] ?AN
 6TURN MY BACK ON Y L LA/ "T40
   8,Y T\* ME10 HE ?R1T5$4 8,Y HIT ME1
 ,I'LL SICK MY DOG ON Y40
   ,I /OPP$4 ,/>$ AT HM4
   ,ALL (A SU451 "! 0 A BIG -MO;N OV]
 0! B>N4
   ,GR[L+ & B>K+ & ALL SORTS ( RACKET4
   ,WE =GOT ! >GU;T & W5T RAC+ >.D 6SEE
 :AT 0 GO+ ON4 ,SAMMY'S DOG 0 /&+ OV] A
 LL PUP4 ,HE _H HM P9N$ D[N ) 8 FRONT
 PAWS1 BIT+ AT HM4
   ,! PUP 0 S LL & SCRAWNY HE DIDN'T /&
 A *.E4 ,F ! LOOKS ( HM1 HE 0 PROBABLY
 A /RAY T "SBODY _H DUMP$4 ,:]"E HE
 CAME F1 HE _H G"O )\T FOOD =A L;G "T
 ----------------------------------#AEJ
 & WASN'T 9 ANY %APE 6PUT UP A FI<T AG/
 ! BI7] DOG4
   8,CALL YR DOG (F10 ,BRAD YELL$4
   ,SAMMY CAME RU%+ UP 2S HM4
   8,GET HM1 ,BUT*4 ,TE> HM UP1    #AEG
  BOY4 ,T ,BUT* IS A GRT FI<T]4    A#AEJ
 ,HE N"E HAS LO/ A FI<T40
   ,"EYBODY 0 JUMP+ >.D1 YELL+ AT ! TWO
 DOGS4
   ,I / DON'T "K :AT MADE ME D X4 ,B =
 "S R1SON1 )\T ?9K+1 ,I RAN OV] 6!M4 ,I
 GRA2$ ,SAMMY'S DOG 0! SCRUFF (! NECK
 &! TAIL4 ,PICK$ HM UP & SLUNG HM4 ,HE
 FLAPP$ AG/ ! B>N )A ?UD4 ,!N /OOD "!
 ON ! GR.D %AK+ 8 H1D4
   ,SAMMY RAN UP & GRA2$ ME4
   8,Y L1VE MY DOG AL"O10 HE YELL$4
 8,I'LL P.D YR H1D 9 IF Y "E D MY DOG L
 T AG40
   ,I'D _H J AB 5 ( ,SAMMY1 TOO4
   ,I FELT MY FI/ DRAW UP AT MY SIDE4
 ,I DON'T REMEMB] HITT+ HM4 ,B AFWS1 MY
 H& HURT4 ,& :5 ,SAMMY /RAI<T5$ UP1 "!
 0 BLOOD DRIPP+ F 8 NOSE4
   8,SICK HM1 ,BUT*10 ,SAMMY CRI$4
 8,GET HM1 BOY40
   ,BUT* 0 AB Z SNOTTY Z ,SAMMY4 ,:5 HE
 CALL$1 ,BUT* CAME GR[L+ & B\NC+ >.D4
 ,HE 0 A LL 3FUS$ AB :O HE 0 SUPPOS$
 6SICK1 ?\<4
    ,0! "T ,SAMMY 3V9C$ HM X 0 ME   #AEA
 HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE *AS+1 X 0 TOO LATE4
 ,I'D GRA2$ UP A /ICK & 0 WAIT+ = HM4
   ,:5 ,BUT* SAW T /ICK1 HE TURN$ TAIL
 & LIT \ >.D ! B>N1 :9+4 ,I ?REW ! /ICK
 D[N & :IRL$ ON ,SAMMY4
   8,Y WANT A BLACK EYE 6G AL;G ) YR
 BLOODY NOSE80 ,I ASK$ HM4
   ,SAMMY TOOK \1 CRY+1 =! H\SE4
   ,ALL ! GUYS LAU<$4 ,!N1 !Y />T$
 PETT+ & MAK+ OV] ! /RAY PUP T ,SAMMY'S
 DOG _H B1T UP4
   8,Y GUYS L1VE HM AL"O10 ,I TOLD !M
 AF A M9UTE OR S4 8,LET'S G F9I% \R
 GAME40
   ,"EYBODY WANT$ 6"K :Y4 ,S ,I TOLD !M
 T IF WE PETT$ & F$ /RAY DOGS1 !Y'D
 /ICK >.D4 ,IF !Y LEFT HM AL"O1 HE'D
 F9,Y G ON & F9D "SPLACE ELSE 6LIVE4
   8,B Y NE$ A DOG10 ,BRAD >GU$4 8,:Y
 DON'T Y KEEP ? "O80
   8,I DON'T WANT A DOG10 ,I SNAPP$4
 8,N[ -E ON40
   ,WE W5T BACK 6\R GAME4 ,AF A :ILE1
 "EYBODY'S MOM CAME & TOOK !M      #AEI
  HOME4 ,I _HN'T _H 6HELP ,DAD     A#AEA
 )! *ORES TD 'CAUSE X 0 MY BIR?"D4 ,S
 ,I 0 SITT9' 9 ! KIT*5 POLI%+ (F ! LA/
 (! BIR?"D CAKE :5 ,MAMA W5T 6FE$ !
 CATS4
 ----------------------------------#AEB
   ,I _HN'T GIV5 ANO!R ?"\ 6! PUP UP 0!
 B>N4 ,I M1NT :AT ,I'D SD 6! GUYS4 8,I
 DON'T WANT ANO!R DOG4 ,IF WE DON'T PET
 OR FE$ HM1 HE'LL L1VE40
   ,I GUESS N ?9K+ AB A DOG 0 :AT
 SURPRIS$ ME S M* :5 ,I HE>D HM B>K+
 \TSIDE4
   ,ALL (A SU451 ,I HE>D ,MAMA SCR1M4
 ,!N "! 0 A -MO;N L Y N"E HE>D 2F4
   ,SQUALL+ & HISS+4 ,B>K+ & GR[L+4
   ,I JUMP$ UP & RAN =! BACK DOOR4
   ,:5 ,I GOT "!1 ,I SAW T CRAZY PUP
 TANGL$ UP ) \R CATS4 ,!Y 7 FUZZ$ UP
 MAD & DET]M9$ 6FI<T HM (F _! FOOD4
   ,MAMA 0 SQU>E 9 ! MI4LE ( ?+S4
 ,JUMP+ F "O FOOT 6! O!R & YELL+4
   ,X DIDN'T TAKE L;G =! CATS 6LICK HM
 GD4 ,"O 0 BALL$ UP ON 8 BACK1 CLAW+ &
 BIT+4 ,TUFTS ( HAIR 7 FLY+ E : WAY4
    ,! PUP GAVE ! FI<T 6!M & LIT   A#AEB
 \ =! B>N4 ,HE _H 8 TAIL TUCK$ & 0
 YELP+ & SQUALL+ ALL ! WAY4 ,SETT+ UP S
 M* (A FUSS Y WDA ?"\ \R CATS 7 / *AS+
 HM4
   ,T'S :5 ,I HE>D MYF LAU<+4
   ,X 0 A R1L LAU< ? "T4 ,N A PUT-ON
 LAU< 6KEEP ,MAMA & ,DAD F WORRY+4 ,A
 R1L LAU< T CAME F WAY D[N DEEP 9 MY
 /OMA*4
 ----------------------------------#AEC
   ,I WAT*$ T LL1 SCRA7LY PUP RUN =!
 B>N4 ,LAU<$ & LAU<$ UNTIL ! TE>S CAME
 6MY EYES4
   ,:5 ,I 0 ALL LAU<$ & ALL CRI$ \1 ,I
 W5T 6! REFRIG]ATOR & GOT \ "S M1T
 SCRAPS &A B[L ( MILK4
   ,I KNEW J :AT ,I 0 GONNA SAY 6HM :5
 ,I GOT 6! B>N1 TOO4
   ,I'D SAY1 8,Y /9K+1 NO-GD PUP4 ,I'LL
 FE$ Y4 ,N 'CAUSE ,I L Y1 B 'CAUSE ,I
 DON'T WANT Y />V+ 6D1?4 ,B1 SOON Z
 Y'RE WELL 5\<1 ,I'M GONNA RUN YR TAIL
 (F4 ,Y "U/&80
   ,T'S :AT ,I'D TELL HM4 ,I'D     #AFA
  TELL HM1 B ,I KNEW HE WDN'T      A#AEC
 RE,Y 2LIEVE ME4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
               ,AB ! ,AU?OR
 
   ,S9CE ,,BILL ,,WALLACE,''S BE/SELL+
 F/ NOVEL1 ..,A ,DOG ,CALL$ .,KITTY1 0
 PUBLI%$ 9 #AIHJ1 HE HAS WON NUM]\S
 AW>DS = 8 *N'S BOOKS4
   ,AF SEV5 YE>S Z A CLASSROOM T1*] &
 T5 YE>S Z ! PR9CIPAL & PHYSICAL $UC,N
 T1*] AT ,WE/ ,ELE;T>Y ,S*OOL1 : HE
 ATT5D$ Z A *1 ,WALLACE IS N[ A FULL-"T
 AU?OR & PUBLIC SP1K]4 ,BILL SAYS T AL?
 X HAS BE5 A :ILE S9CE HE TAU<T S*OOL1
 HE / WRITES BOOKS = 8 F\R?
 GRAD]S--8,X'S L !Y'RE 9 MY H1D & HE>T
 :5"E ,I SIT D[N 6"W ON A /ORY40
   ,HE RCVD 8 ,M4,S4 9 ,ELE;T>Y
 ,ADM9I/R,N F ,S\?WE/]N ,/ATE ,UNIV]S;Y
 & /UDI$ PROFES.NAL WRIT+ ) ,WILLIAM
 ,FO/]-,H>RIS & ,DWI<T ,V4 ,SWA9 AT !
 ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,OKLAHOMA4
 
                ,,! ,,5D
 
 
                                   #AFC