A Betty the Beagle Adventure
Page 1
It was a sunny summer day.
Dad had a plan.
“Let’s take the big red canoe to the lake!”
Joslyn smiled. Jordan jumped up.
Betty the Beagle wagged her tail.
Before they left, Dad checked their list.
“Life jackets for everyone?”
“Check!” called Joslyn and Jordan.
“A dog life jacket for Betty?”
“Check!”
Betty sniffed her jacket.
“Two paddles?” asked Dad.
“Check!” shouted the children.
Dad looked around.
“Now, did we forget the big red canoe?”
The children laughed.
“It’s right there, Dad!”
“Then let’s roll!”
Page 2
At the lake, the water sparkled in the sun.
Dad helped the children put on their life jackets. He checked each one.
Then he put Betty’s jacket on, too.
“Ready, Betty?” asked Jordan.
Betty wagged her tail.
Page 3
Dad held the canoe steady at the shore.
Joslyn stepped in. Then Jordan stepped in.
They sat where Dad showed them.
Now it was Betty’s turn.
Betty took one step closer.
The canoe gave a little wobble.
Betty took one step back.
She sat down on the sand.
“Come on, Betty!” called Jordan.
Betty did not move.
“Is she scared?” asked Joslyn.
“Maybe,” said Dad. “This is new to her. Let’s give her time.”
Page 4
Joslyn held out her hand.
Betty leaned forward and sniffed it.
“Good girl,” Joslyn said softly.
Dad kept the canoe steady. He gently helped Betty aboard.
Betty stood very still.
Her ears hung low.
“Stay seated,” Dad reminded the children.
Joslyn rested a hand beside Betty.
“We’re right here,” she whispered.
Betty sat down.
Her tail gave one small wag.
Page 5
Dad climbed in and pushed away from shore.
Dip. Pull.
Dip. Pull.
The paddle made little swirls in the water.
Jordan watched the shore move slowly past.
“We’re doing it!” he said.
Page 6
A leaf floated beside the canoe.
Betty watched it pass.
Then a duck paddled by.
Betty’s ears perked up.
“Look, Betty,” whispered Jordan. “That duck has paddles for feet!”
Joslyn giggled.
Betty stayed beside them and watched the duck swim away.
Soon, her ears relaxed.
She lifted her nose into the breeze.
“Do you like the canoe now?” Joslyn asked.
Wag. Wag.
“I think that means yes,” said Dad.
Page 7
They took a gentle ride near the shore.
Then Dad paddled back to the beach.
He stepped out and held the canoe steady.
One at a time, he helped everyone onto the sand.
Page 8
Betty gave herself a great big shake.
“But you didn’t even get wet!” laughed Jordan.
Dad smiled.
“Did everyone have a life jacket?”
“Check!”
“Did we bring our paddles?”
“Check!”
“Did Betty try something new?”
“Check!” called Joslyn and Jordan.
Betty wagged her tail.
“And did we have fun?” asked Dad.
“CHECK!”
Betty gave one happy bark.
That was her check, too.
The End
