Splinter jumped up and started running in circles chasing his tail. This is something he did a lot since he became a real dog. Shaver didn't understand it but thought it must be a dog thing.

Shaver, Splinter and the spotted dog ran, jumped and even skipped through their yard. They went around the gate and up the sidewalk to their neighbor's house. Looking at them, at that time, you would never guess it wasn't a real boy with two rowdy pups. Well...by the way they were acting I mean.

They arrived at their neighbor's door and knocked several times before it was answered.

"Hello, we are Mrs. Hardy's new children." Proudly stated Shaver. "We have come to introduce ourselves and return your dog."

Unexpectedly, the old man began waiving his arms around like a windmill in a tornado.

"That silly mutt isn't mine. He is a stray that refuses to leave." He screamed. "You're not real children," he huffed, "you're nothing but a couple of misfits who don't fit in around here. I don't want you trespassing on my property again...do you hear me? Take that spotted dog with you...shoo!"

The lads didn't know exactly what just happened but they were sure it wasn't right. They decided to talk to their new mother about this.

"He is a mean old man who hates everyone." Mrs. Hardy said. "I feel sorry for him...I can't help it."

Mrs. Hardy went on to explain. "Since Mrs. Dipple passed away the man hasn't been the same. He is bitter and just hates everyone. His family moved away years ago but he was too proud and subborn to go with them. Now he is content to sit alone with nothing but his self pity for comfort."

"Mother, maybe if we tell him we want to be his friends he would feel differently." Remarked Shaver.

"Ruff!" Whined Splinter.

"No children, I'm afraid not." Said Mrs. Hardy. "Try to ignore his insulting comments...avoid him if you can."

Shaver and Splinter felt something for the first time and they didn't like it at all. They learned what it was like to feel sadness and pity for someone. It made their tummies feel awfully odd...kind of like when you eat too many green apples.

Mrs. Hardy explained to the children how sometimes humans said cruel things to other humans just because they are different...no other reason. It was her way of trying to prepare the children for any future remarks the old man might say to the boys.

Time seemed to fly to the lads as they became adjusted to being children instead of toys. They got to know the rest of the neighbors by going around introducing themselves to everyone like they tried to do with Mr. Dipple. For the most part, everyone else accepted them.

"Let's go, Splinter." Said Shaver. "We have to fetch some firewood for Mother. Jump into the cart and I'll let you ride all the way to Mr. Mike's shop." The boy teasingly said to Splinter.

He knew the dog loved to ride in the old cart almost as much as chasing his tail...but not quite.

As they passed Mr. Dipple's house Shaver paused to reflect on what his mother had told him. Like a shot, without warning, Splinter zoomed out of the cart, ran up the walk and barked as loudly as he possibly could.

"Great Scot!" He yelled. "What are you trying to do? You will get us in trouble with that nasty old man again." He yelled to Splinter.

Running up the walk after Splinter, Shaver smelled an odor that frightened him. He wasn't sure what it was but he knew he was afraid.

"Oh my, Oh my...smoke!" He noticed.

At just that moment the window glass exploded and fire lunged out so high it was reaching the second floor window. Splinter yelped wildly and started for home.

After all, Splinter thought, no self respecting wooden dog worth his salt should be nowhere near flames such as this. Shaver was frightened too but he felt differently.

"No wait...come back!" He yelled. "I know the danger is great but we must try to help Mr. Dipple."

Shaver, thinking quickly, ran for a garden hose connected to Mr. Dipple's house. Hurriedly, he hosed down Splinter first than himself.

"Wet wood doesn't b-b-burn so well, Splinter." He cried. "Maybe it will help protect us from the flames.

"One...two...three!" He yelled as they ran into the flaming house.

"I can't see anything through this heavy black smoke. Splinter, try hard...see if you can sniff Mr. Dipple out." Begged Shaver.

It seemed like an eterity the lads were in the raging fire but, actually, it was only moments.

"I can see him...I can see him!" Exclaimed the boy. "Help me pull him out. You take one pant leg and I'll take the other but...please, let's hurry. I feel my legs and arms starting to scorch...Splinter, your tail is on fire...hurry!"

Immediately after Mr. Dipple was pulled to safety by the boys, they stopped, dropped and rolled to extinguish the flames on them. This is something their mother taught them in case they ever got too close to the incinerator. Shaver then grabbed the hose and began spraying Splinter and himself with the lifesaving water.

Bye this time all the neighbors were watching the children work feverishly to revive Mr. Dipple. The moment was tense, everyone held his breath then...

"Yes, yes!" Cried Shaver. "He is going to be okay."

The onlookers cheered and quickly parted when they saw Mrs. Hardy approaching.

"My children! My children!" She screamed as she embraced them. "You could have been burned to ashes." She worried.

Mr. Dipple was a bit shaken up but otherwise okay. The neighbors started putting out the fire as best they could but, alas, My Dipple's house burned down before the fire department arrived.

"It was all my fault." Mr. Dipple said as he stood shaking. "I wanted to take a nap on the sofa but I didn't close the safety screen on my fireplace first." He stammered. "The sparks must have caught the rug on fire."

"All that matters now is you are safe, Mr. Dipple. Do you see now how many friends you really have?" Mrs. Hardy asked.

"Yes...I've been such an old fool and I'd like to apologize to all my neighbors for the way I've treated them in the past." Mr. Dipple sorrowfully admitted.

"Oh my, Mr. Dipple, what will you do...where will you live?" Asked Mrs. Hardy sincerely worried.

"That's not a problem, Madam." He said. "I'm going to call my family and tell them how much I love them and wish to live with them...if they will still have me. I'd like to take the spotted dog too, if he will let me, and apologize to him for how I treated him. Here boy, come here." He called.

The spotted dog immediately jumped in his arms and began licking Mr. Dipple's ears and nose.

"Well...I guess that means he will come with me." Mr. Dipple laughed.

"Now children," referring to Shaver and Splinter, "you saved my life knowing full well what that fire could have done to you. That makes you heroes in my book. I guess an old foolish man can learn a few things about friendship from two fine children like you." He stated.

When Mr. Dipple referred to them as children Shaver grinned so wide he nearly cracked his wooden head. Splinter just ran around in circles chasing his funny looking tail. All the neighbors started a line so each one could shake hands with the heroes. Splinter lifted his paw for everyone to shake. He wasn't sure what a dog was. He thought he was just one of the boys.

"Gee, Splinter," mused Shaver, "I think we are going to like our new home, don't you?"

"Yip, yip...yowl!" He wailed to say he agreed completely.

The end

~Index~