and her bike. She might as well ride around. She was still confused about last night. But at least she had reached one decision. She would never mention that awful petition to the Garbers. Maybe no one would sign it and they would never have to know. Suddenly Winnie heard a loud âWOOF.â It startled her and she spun around looking for the dog. Then she heard somebody laughing. It sounded like it was coming from inside the garage. Winnie ran over to the side window and peeked into the dark garage. She couldnât really see anything. So she opened the garage door, very slowly and very carefully. She wasnât quite sure what she might find inside. âOh no!â she hollered when the door was opened. âHow did you get in here?â
A loud âWOOF â¦Â WOOFâ was the only reply. The red wagon that she forgot to take home yesterday was in the middle of the garage. Sitting inthe middle of the red wagon was a dog. It looked like a huge stuffed Panda bear with shaggy white fur (except for one black eye and one black ear). âOkay, I know somebodyâs in here. Come on out! Right now!â she commanded.
Somebody giggled. Then somebody else giggled. And finally Tina, Herbie and Glenn jumped out from behind Mr. Barringerâs gardening supplies, where they were hiding.
âHi Winnie,â they yelled.
âHow do you like our furry friend?â laughed Glenn.
Herbie jumped up and down. âI told you Winnie. I told you we were going to get him last night. Isnât he something?â Herbie seemed excited about the dog. Yesterday heâd acted so
blah
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âIs he ever!â Winnie agreed. âHeâs really neat! But heâs so big!â
âYou think this is BIG?â Glenn asked. âHeâs only a puppy now. âCourse he already weighs forty pounds. How about that!â
âWow â¦Â some puppy!â Winnie said. âWhat kind of dog is he anyway?â
âThis is a Sheep Dog,â Tina announced. âA genuine English Sheep Dog puppy.â
âHa! A Sheep Dog!â Winnie laughed. âThatâs funny. Thatâs really very funny. I never saw one before.But thatâs what my Mom says I look like when I donât brush my hair. Look!â And Winnie shook out her long hair, letting it fall over her face, covering her eyes. She danced around the wagon hollering, âWOOF! Woof â¦Â Woof â¦Â Woof â¦!â She collapsed on the floor laughing.
At first the dog seemed confused. He stood up in the wagon and began rocking back and forth. Then he bellowed â¦Â long and low. âArooo â¦Â Arooo â¦Â WOOFââand jumped out of the wagon onto Winnie. âOh help!â Winnie called out. âGet this monster off me!â But the dog was busily licking Winnieâs nose and ears. Glenn and Herbie tried to pull him off. Tina joined her brothers and they all tugged at once. After much grunting, groaning and barking they managed to separate the dog from his new friend.
Tina brushed off Winnieâs clothes which were covered with shaggy white hairs. âNever again!â Winnie promised. âIâm never playing doggie again! Letâs get out of here now before my mom catches us. Sheâs not big on dogs running loose around here. Theyâre not good for her rose bushes, if you know what I mean.â
âOkay,â Glenn said. âLetâs take him for a walk.â
âWhy do you call him HIM?â Winnie asked, asthey started walking. âDoesnât the dog have a name?â
Glenn didnât answer. Neither did Herbie or Tina. But they all giggled. Winnie put her hands on her hips and said, âWell, if youâre not going to tell me Iâm not going for a walk with you!â
âOh, weâll tell you, Winnie,â Glenn assured her. âItâs just a kind of different name. Thatâs all.â
âOkay, so