Grover Finds a Home Read online

  Published by Piccolo Nero,

  an imprint of Schwartz Publishing Pty Ltd

  Level 1, 221 Drummond Street

  Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

  [email protected]

  www.nerobooks.com

  Copyright © Claire Garth 2016

  Claire Garth asserts her right to be known as the author of this work.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior consent of the publishers.

  National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry:

  Garth, Claire, author.

  Grover finds a home / Claire Garth ; illustrated by Johannes Leak.

  9781863958134 (paperback)

  9781925203912 (ebook)

  Garth, Claire. Grover McBane, rescue dog ; no.1.

  For children.

  Rescue dogs—Juvenile fiction.

  Dogs—Juvenile fiction.

  Children’s stories.

  A823.4

  Cover and text design by Peter Long

  Typesetting by Tristan Main

  Illustrations by Johannes Leak

  This book is dedicated to rescue dogs the world over, and to the wonderful humans who will give them their second chance.

  And to Andrew… for everything. But particularly for understanding my unwavering need to pet every dog I see on the street.

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  CHAPTER 1

  With his paws covering his eyes, Grover crawled as far back as he could. He wedged his body tight up against the wooden fence at the bottom of the backyard. As rain poured down around him in the dark, Grover shivered. There was no place to stay dry. Tonight would be just like last night – cold, wet and lonely.

  I wonder if he has forgotten I’m out here, Grover thought to himself.

  A huge clap of thunder made him jump in fright. ‘HELP!’ Grover barked. ‘I’m scared and I’m hungry and I want to get out of the rain!’

  Grover’s tummy had been rumbling all day. He couldn’t remember when he’d last had a meal. He wished the Man with Big Boots fed him more often. Doesn’t he know that dogs need to eat every day? Grover thought, as he scrunched his wet body up small and tight to try to stay warm. It didn’t work. He was still cold.

  Grover peered out from behind his paws. It was hard to see the house from here in the dark.

  Had anyone heard him bark?

  Nope. No-one was coming. The Man with Big Boots hadn’t even turned on the light to yell at him like he often did.

  As the rain began to fall harder, a huge bolt of lightning lit up the sky, bathing the entire backyard in a bright white light. Grover saw strange shapes moving across the yard. There were small shapes and big shapes. And they were making frightening noises. Grover did not like it one bit.

  ‘Who’s out there?’ he whimpered. ‘Is someone there?’

  No-one replied.

  The tree beside the house made scary shadows as it blew around in the wind.

  Grover decided to give it one more go. Maybe he didn’t hear me, he thought. Maybe I just need to bark louder.

  Taking a deep breath in, Grover prepared for the biggest bark of his life. But just as he was about to open his mouth, he remembered how angry the Man with Big Boots had been the last time Grover had barked loudly. He’d never seen his owner so angry.

  No, he thought, I just need to be brave. There’s nothing here to hurt me. I’m safe and I’ll be okay.

  Grover wasn’t quite sure that he was safe, but he hoped if he told himself he was enough times, then maybe it would be true.

  Grover buried his nose back under his paws. His heart was pounding in his chest. He wanted to disappear. He kept trying to think happy thoughts, but nothing was working.

  Then a loud clap of thunder struck right above his head. ‘THAT’S IT!’ Grover howled. ‘I can’t take it anymore!’

  As he jumped up, Grover could feel the heavy chain tugging at his neck. He pulled and pulled, trying to break free, but it was no use. The chain was made of thick metal and it was wrapped around a big wooden stake that was rammed deep into the ground.

  ‘I don’t want to be here!’ Grover howled, ‘I want to be FREE!’

  As he ran around in circles, Grover could see that the wooden stake in the middle of the yard had moved ever so slightly. The rain had turned the hard ground to slushy mud and the stake wasn’t upright anymore. Grover felt a surge of hope.

  I can do this, he thought. I can find a place out of the rain…

  He ran from one side of the yard to the other. Slowly the stake got looser and looser. Grover kept going. Every so often he ran up to dig at the mud that was holding the stake in the ground and loosen it some more. Finally, with one final big tug, Grover managed to pull the entire stake out of the ground.

  He’d done it!

  Grover raced over to the side of the house, pulling the stake and the chain along the ground. A very high gate made of iron separated the backyard from the front garden, and it made a scary creaking sound as it moved in the wind.

  Hmm, too high to jump over, he thought.

  Crouching down low, Grover could see a small gap under the gate. I wonder if I could fit through there?

  Grover crawled through a puddle to reach the gap. Poking his head through to the other side, Grover could see a long driveway.

  I might actually fit, he thought as he inched further and further forward.

  He could feel the gate pressing on his back as he wriggled his body through the small space under the gate.

  Finally, Grover made it through to the other side.

  ‘I’M FREE!’ Grover barked.

  He couldn’t believe it, but he didn’t waste any time hanging around. He started to run. He ran and ran like he’d never run before. The rain in his eyes didn’t slow him down. He was finally free.

  With only the streetlights to guide him, Grover ran along footpaths for kilometres and kilometres. He had no idea where he was going, but that didn’t matter.

  Anywhere is better than staying in that backyard with the Man with Big Boots, Grover thought.

  CHAPTER 2

  After hours of running it began to get light. Grover turned a corner and saw a big white van coming towards him. Its orange lights were so bright, Grover could barely see. He stopped in his tracks.

  Panting to try to cool down, Grover felt his heart racing. He slumped to the ground.

  Grover heard someone marching through the puddles towards him.

  Oh no, Grover thought, is that the Man with Big Boots?

  ‘Well, then,’ came a loud deep voice, ‘It’s a bit too wet and stormy for a dog to be out running so early in the morning.’

  Grover peered up into the rain. It wasn’t the Man with Big Boots at all. Grover didn’t know who it was.

  This man was very tall and he had a scruffy beard. He walked closer to Grover, and bent down to stare at the heavy chain around Grover’s neck.

  ‘What’s this, then?’ he said, trying to unhook the chain.

  Grover was struck with fear.

  What if this man takes me back to the Man with Big Boots? He will be so angry! Grover thought.

  The man tugged at the chain, trying to loosen it, but it was no use. After years out in the rain, the chain had rusted closed. Even with all his strength, the man couldn’t get it undone.

&
nbsp; ‘Come on, boy,’ he said, lifting Grover off the ground. ‘You’re coming with me.’

  The man placed Grover into a cage in the back of the van. Then he slammed the door shut.

  Oh no! Grover thought as the van started to drive away. Where am I going?

  Grover scrunched himself into a ball inside his cold metal cage.

  It was dark inside the van. Outside, Grover could see drops of rain falling against the window. Grover’s nose was in overdrive. The van was filled with the smell of wet dogs. But there was only a small light shining from the front of the van, so it was hard to see anything very clearly. He could faintly make out other cages lining the back of the van.

  I wonder if anyone else is in here?

  Grover let out a little whimper, but there was no response.

  He felt so alone.

  As the van continued to drive over bumps and around corners, the rattling of the cages got louder and louder. It was more than Grover’s little ears could take.

  He let out a loud WHINE as he crouched further back in his cage.

  ‘Now, now, young boy,’ said a sweet, soothing voice. ‘All that howling is only going to tire you out. Just try to relax and I’m sure we’ll be there soon.’

  Grover quickly sat up and looked around. Where is that voice coming from? he wondered.

  ‘Er, hello?’ Grover yelped. ‘Is there someone else here?’

  ‘Yes, dear,’ replied the sweet voice. ‘My name’s Clara. What’s yours?’

  ‘I’m Grover,’ whimpered Grover. ‘But I can’t see you!’

  ‘I’m right over here. Come forward a little and you’ll see me.’

  Grover crept to the front of his cage and pushed his nose between two of the metal bars. He looked to his left, and then to his right, but he couldn’t see anything except empty cages.

  Grover let out a sigh. ‘I’m so tired I must be dreaming,’ he muttered.

  ‘No, dear, you’re not dreaming. Look closer.’ Clara’s voice reminded Grover of his mother’s voice when he was a pup. It was soft and ever so calm.

  Grover peered for a second time through the bars of the cage. The van turned a corner and the morning sun lit up the cages along the back of the van. Inside one of them was a tall, skinny dog with gentle eyes and a very long, thin nose.

  ‘Oh, I see you, I see you!’ Grover cried. Grover jumped with excitement. His head hit the top of the small cage.

  He let out a yelp. OOOWWWWW! he cried as he slumped back onto the cage floor.

  ‘Are you okay there, dear?’ came the concerned voice.

  Grover climbed back onto his feet, ‘Yes,’ he whimpered. ‘Thanks. But I have very sore ears.’

  ‘Oh, you poor love,’ said Clara. ‘Don’t worry. I’m sure the vet at the animal shelter will take a look at your ears and make them better.’

  ‘What’s a vet?’ asked Grover. He’d never heard that word before.

  Clara gasped. ‘Haven’t you been to a vet before? Vets look after you and give you medicine when you’re not feeling well. Haven’t you ever been sick?’

  Grover had been sick. He’d been sick a lot. In fact, he felt sick right now. His ears were sore and itchy and his tummy was empty and grumbly. Maybe the vet could help him.

  Grover was glad that Clara was there with him. Just looking at her soft, kind eyes made Grover feel a little better.

  ‘Clara,’ he asked, ‘who is this man? Is he really taking us to a vet?’

  ‘Oh, don’t you know? He’s an animal ranger,’ she replied. ‘He finds lost animals.’

  Grover shivered. Did that mean the animal ranger would take him back to the Man with Big Boots?

  Clara continued. ‘The ranger’s taking us to the animal shelter.’

  ‘What’s an animal shelter?’ Grover whispered. ‘Is it like the pound?’ His voice shook. The Man with Big Boots had once threatened to take him to the pound. He’d made it sound like a prison for dogs.

  ‘Yes, Grover, the ranger’s taking us the pound,’ Clara responded chirpily. Then her voice changed. ‘My owners are going to be really annoyed when they find out I got out again… but we’re nearly there now.’

  Suddenly the van came to a stop.

  ‘Alright, you lot, we’re here!’ called the ranger.

  Grover sat back in shock. No time to escape now, he thought.

  CHAPTER 3

  The ranger flung the back doors of the van open. Grover glanced out and could see a building with a sign saying ANIMAL SHELTER. A woman in a long white coat walked towards the van. She wore glasses and had a very concerned look on her face.

  ‘Good morning, cheeky pooches,’ she said. ‘Who do we have here?’

  ‘I found this rascal racing along with a heavy chain around his neck,’ said the ranger. ‘Needs a good feed, doesn’t he?’

  ‘Thanks for bringing him in, Ranger Dan,’ the woman said as she climbed inside the van and alongside Grover’s cage. She was watching Grover closely.

  Grover was too scared to look at her. He bowed his head as low as he could. He didn’t like being in trouble.

  ‘Oh, you poor thing,’ the woman whispered, looking Grover up and down. ‘What have they done to you?’

  Scared to move, Grover raised his head until he was looking straight into her kind eyes. She moved forward to open the cage.

  Grover shrank back into the far corner.

  ‘Oh, it’s okay, little one,’ she said. Her voice was gentle. ‘Come to me,’ she urged.

  Grover wanted to leave the cage, but he was frozen. He was very scared and he couldn’t bring himself to move.

  The woman reached in and gently stroked Grover. It felt REALLY good. It had been a long time since Grover had been patted. He’d forgotten how nice it felt.

  Then the kind woman reached into her pocket and pulled out the most delicious-smelling treat Grover had ever smelled.

  The treat reminded Grover that he was starving, and he began to drool.

  Grover wanted that treat so badly, but he knew that if he moved closer, the woman would be able to take him… somewhere. And maybe that somewhere would be scary.

  Or they’d find his owner, the Man with Big Boots, and he’d have to go back to the cold, dark backyard.

  Turning his head, Grover tried to ignore the smell of the delicious treat. If he couldn’t smell it, maybe his tummy would stop wanting it.

  ‘It’s okay, Grover,’ came Clara’s reassuring voice. ‘That lady is a vet. She’ll help you. Trust me, Grover!’ Clara was staring deep into Grover’s eyes.

  ‘Alright,’ Grover replied. ‘I trust you.’

  ‘Good. Then take the treat and let the vet help you.’ Clara’s voice was sweet but firm.

  Ranger Dan stepped forward and opened Clara’s cage.

  ‘I’ll take the greyhound inside, Dr Cole,’ the ranger said, ‘Will you be ok with the scared one?’

  Staring into Grover’s eyes, Dr Cole didn’t answer. She just waved her hand to let Ranger Dan know he could leave.

  ‘I’ve got to go now, Grover,’ Clara said as she stepped out of her cage. ‘But you’ll be fine with Dr Cole, I promise!’

  With one last reassuring look, Clara hopped down out of the van with the ranger. Grover watched as he walked Clara through a big steel gate.

  Grover was now alone in the van with Dr Cole.

  Taking in a big gulp of air, Grover plucked up the courage to take the treat. Grover couldn’t tell if it was beef, chicken or liver – but it was delicious. Yep, it was ‘delicious flavour’, for sure! Grover couldn’t remember eating anything so tasty. He let out a little MOAN of delight and licked his lips.

  ‘You like that, do you?’ Dr Cole smiled at Grover. Now she gently ran her hand along the length of his back and down his leg. It felt so good!

  ‘You poor poppet! You must have been very hungry. You ate that quickly!’ said Dr Cole. ‘Shall we head inside and see what else we can find for you?’ She looped a soft lead around Grover’s neck.

  Dr Cole leaned
in to look closely at the battered old nametag on Grover’s chain.

  After a lot of time in the rain and sun, Grover’s nametag had almost completely faded.

  ‘Grr…o…ver. Grover! Is that your name?’ Dr Cole asked, looking at Grover for a sign of recognition.

  Grover stared straight back at her and pricked his ears up at the sound of his name.

  ‘Yes, Grover, that is your name… and what a nice name it is,’ said Dr Cole, giving Grover a reassuring hug.

  And, although he was still a little scared, he let her.

  CHAPTER 4

  As Dr Cole walked Grover towards the animal shelter, a gust of wind blew through his thin fur – it was so cold. Grover could hear lots of dogs barking from behind the big steel gate. It sounded like there were hundreds of them! I bet they’re all cold too, Grover thought. He tried desperately to stop his knees from shaking.

  ‘We’re going to go this way,’ said Dr Cole as she gently led Grover to a door.

  Grover started to panic – Clara had gone through the big gate. Why wasn’t he going there? Where was he going? Was there a separate section of the shelter for naughty dogs? He didn’t like this one bit. Grover began to feel DIZZY. He cowered on the ground and closed his eyes.

  ‘You’re okay, buddy, I’ve got you,’ Dr Cole whispered as she lifted Grover up and opened the door.

  Inside, in Dr Cole’s arms, Grover opened his eyes. They walked through a warm office and along a corridor to a small room. Nothing scary… yet!

  Dr Cole placed Grover on a high stainless-steel table and moved away to get her stethoscope and gloves. Grover didn’t have the strength to jump down, but he was also too tired to sit up. As he began to slump forward, he felt a reassuring arm slide under his chest. Another one was gently placed on his back.

  Who was holding him up? It couldn’t be Dr Cole, because he could see her putting on gloves by the sink. Grover lifted his head and glanced over his shoulder. A woman with long hair and big brown eyes was staring back at him. She stroked his back. ‘Shhhhhh, boy.’

  ‘Thanks, Annie. I’m going to take a look at him now,’ said Dr Cole, walking back to the table.