Free Sea Dog by Dayle Gaetz Page B

wheelbarrow. Treasure sat and barked at it. He gave the stick to Treasure and she ran away. She bounded into the water. Kyle ran to the water’s edge. By then Treasure was a long way from shore.
    â€œTreasure!” he called. “Come back!”
    A lone white boat sailed far out on the rippled sea. Treasure’s nose pointed toward it. But the boat sailed farther and farther away.
    Kyle ran into the water. It was cold on his legs. “Treasure!” he called.
    At last Treasure turned around and swam back. She still had the stick in her mouth.
    After that Kyle hurried home from school every day. He always took Treasure for a walk along the beach. She always carried the same stick. She always went swimming. But she never swam so far from shore again.
    Sometimes Kyle went out with his dad, but it wasn’t the same. When Kyle came home, he always felt sad. He always took Treasure for a walk on the beach. She helped him feel less lonely.
    Spring came and the days grew longer. One warm sunny afternoon, Kyle took Treasure for a walk. For once she didn’t run into the water. Instead, shestreaked along the beach. She still carried her stick in her mouth.
    â€œTreasure, come back!” Kyle called. But the dog paid no attention.
    She ran along the sandbar and Kyle ran after her. He saw Treasure leaping around a tall man. The man carried a pipe in his mouth. He had a big gray beard.
    Treasure dropped her stick. She leaped up and down and quivered with excitement.
    The man took his pipe from his mouth. He crouched down and put his arms around the dog. Treasure licked his face.
    â€œBy gum, it’s you, Otter! I can’t believe it! You ought-ter be drowned!”
    The man looked at Kyle. There were tears in his eyes. “Thank you for finding my dog,” he said.

Chapter Four
    Kyle looked at the man. He felt scared and angry. This man wanted to take Treasure away.
    â€œHer name’s Treasure, not Otter! And she’s my dog, not yours!”
    â€œKyle!” his mom called. She ran toward them.
    Kyle watched his mom and tried not to cry.
    â€œIs there a problem here?” she asked.
    â€œThat man says Treasure is his dog!” Kyle pointed at the man.
    â€œHi,” the man said. He smiled. “I’m Bill. I’m so happy to see my dog again. She fell overboard in a big storm. I searched for a long, long time. Finally I gave up. I thought she had drowned.”
    â€œShe’s my Treasure!” Kyle shouted. “I found her on the beach. She was all wrapped up in seaweed.”
    Bill smiled again. “That’s my Otter. She’s a great old sea dog.”
    â€œShe’s my dog!” Kyle shouted. “Here Treasure!” Treasure licked Kyle’s face.
    Bill stopped smiling. “I’d say we have a problem here.”
    â€œPlease, come back to our house,” Mom said. “I’ll make coffee and we can talk.”
    Kyle didn’t want to talk to Bill. Bill was not a nice man. He wanted to take Treasure away. Treasure picked up her stick. She walked between Kyle and Bill. Her tail wagged all the way back to the house.
    Mom and Bill sat in the kitchen. Kyle took Treasure into his room. He packed some clothes in his schoolbag. “Shh!” he whispered. “We’re going to find my dad. He’ll let me keep you.”
    They tiptoed to the front door. Bill’s voice drifted down the hall. Kyle heard two words, “
Lady Tia.”
    Treasure stopped. Her ears perked up. She turned and ran to the kitchen.
    Bill laughed. “You love the
Lady Tia,
don’t you, Otter?”
    Kyle moved close to the kitchen door. He waited for Treasure to come back.
    Bill sighed. “My boat is for sale,” he said. “I didn’t feel like sailing after I lost Otter. I missed her too much.”
    â€œWhy did you name her Otter?” Mom asked.
    Bill chuckled. “Because she swims like an otter. She’s the best sea dog that ever