Rover the Family Dog: Naughty Adventures

Rover was a nice dog, but he chewed on shoes and socks.

He dug up plants in the garden.

Then one day, Rover chased Mrs. Art's kitten.

No, Rover cried Emmy.

Leave Ginger alone.

Rover is a good dog, Mrs. Hart said.

But he needs to learn some manners.

Dad and Emmy took Rover to school.

There were lots of other dogs there. The dogs and people formed a circle.

Sit, >> said the teacher.

All the dogs sat except Rover.

Speak, said the teacher. All the dogs barked except Rover.

Fetch, >> said the teacher.

All the dogs fetched except Rover.

Dad and Emmy sighed. Rover is a hopeless dog, said Emmy.

He's never going to learn anything. Dad and Emmy took Rover home.

Mrs. Hart was outside.

She's looking for something, >> said Dad.

Ginger called Mrs. Hart. Where are you? >> Oh no, said Emmy.

Mrs. Hart's kitten is lost.

Suddenly, Rover sat. He barked three times.

Then he raced into the backyard.

Soon he came back with Ginger.

"Good dog, Rover," >> said Emmy proudly. "You know how to sit,

speak, and fetch."

Rover wagged his tail. Then he ran to the garden.

"Oh no!" >> Dad moaned.

Emmy >> called Dad.

Rover needs a walk. >> I want to play soccer,

said Emmy. >> You can play later,

said Dad.

>> Emmy got Rover's leash.

She took Rover outside.

Rover saw a cat. He wanted to chase it.

"No, Rover," Emmy said. She pulled Rover away.

Rover saw a garden.

He wanted to dig in it.

"No, Rover," >> Emmy said.

She pulled Rover away.

Rover saw some trash.

He wanted to eat it. >> No, Rover,

Emmy said. She pulled Rover away.

Then Rover heard something. He wagged his tail.

He started to run.

Rover pulled the leash out of Emy's hands.

"Come back, Rover!" >> Emmy cried.

Rover did not come back. He ran down the sidewalk.

Emmy ran after him. Rover ran into the park.

There were lots of kids there.

They were playing soccer. Rover wanted to play, too.

"No, Rover," >> Emmy said.

It was too late. Rover chased the ball.

He chased it right into a goal.

The kids all laughed.

Your dog is a good soccer player, >> one kid said.

Emmy looked at Rover. He wagged his tail.

You did not want to walk, Rover, >> said Emmy.

He wanted to play soccer, too.

It was a rainy day. Rover wanted to go outside.

No, Rover, >> said Emmy.

We have to play inside today.

Rover followed Emmy into the kitchen. Oliver and Harry were eating lunch.

Let's make banana bread, Emmy said. >> Yeah, said the boys.

Emmy beat the eggs. Harry mashed the bananas.

Oliver got out the flour. Rover tried to help,

but he got covered in flour.

"Now, let's paint something," >> Emmy said.

She got out paper and paints.

Oliver painted a pirate ship.

Emmy painted some flowers. Harry painted a baseball player.

Rover tried to help, but he got covered in paint.

I think Rover is bored, said Oliver. Emmy nodded.

"I know what to do next," >> she said. "Let's give Rover a bath."

Emmy filled the tub with water.

Oliver put soap in the water.

Harry put Rover in the water.

But Rover didn't like the tub. Water splashed.

Soap sprayed. Rover slipped and slid.

Finally, Emmy opened the back door. >> "Go, Rover,"

she said.

Rover ran out into the rain. >> "Now Rover is having fun,"

said Emmy. >> "And he's getting a bath,"

said Oliver. >>

The Carters were babysitting Martha again.

Rover wanted to help. >> "You can't help,"

Emmy said. >> "Dogs don't babysit."

Rover looked very sad. Baby Martha was playing on the floor.

Rover tried to sit next to her. >> "Not there,"

Harry said. Rover moved across the room.

He sat on the rug and watched Martha.

She dropped her teddy bear. Rover rushed to pick it up.

>> "Stop, Rover,"

Emmy said. She grabbed Martha's teddy bear.

"Rover needs some rules." Mom said, "Don't chew Martha's toys."

Emmy said, "You will make her cry."

"Don't bark at baby Martha." Oliver said,

"You will scare her.

Don't jump on the baby." Harry said,

"You will hurt her." >> Rover did not chew or bark or jump.

He sat on the rug and looked sad.

Later, Harry found one of Martha's books.

There were many teeth marks on the cover.

"Rover chewed this book." "Bad dog," >> Harry said.

Rover looked very sad.

"Wait a minute," Emmy said. >> "Look at baby Martha."

The baby was chewing on another book.

"Rover doesn't chew books. Martha does." >> Emmy said.

Rover barked loudly. He jumped on Emmy and gave her a

big kiss. Emmy laughed.

Good dog, Rover.