Did you ever think that maybe your mom loves your dog more than she loves you? Ouch! What would you do?  Would you be sad, disappointed, angry? See how Tyler feels when Mom talks to him thinking he is Dundee.

Chapter 9 "The Plot Thickens"

Tyler took off in a gallop, leaving the leash flapping in the wind behind him. He ran across the neighbor’s yard to the main street. Without thinking he dashed into the traffic causing cars to swerve out of the way.

Mom came running after him. “Dundee, come here, you bad dog,” she shouted. “Dundee, come,” she ordered again. The dog came barreling towards Mom, pummeling the neighbor’s freshly planted petunias. Upon reaching Mom, Tyler jumped up to his familiar “wanna dance” stance and left doggie paw prints on Mom’s new white sweater. He stopped long enough for Mom to grab his leash. Then, Tyler took off, making Mom breathless from the pace.
 
At the front door, Mom caught her breath and scolded him, “Dundee, you wild thing.” She frowned. “Bad dog. What has gotten into you today?” she asked. “No treats for bad doggies.” Darn. Tyler stopped for a drink at his water bowl and looked up at Mom. I’m starving. What I wouldn’t give a piece of hotdog. 

Tyler couldn’t decide whether to be proud of himself for making Mom upset or angry for missing his favorite treat. He figured it was worth it. He scooted upstairs to his bedroom and jumped on the bed with his dirty paws, leaving a trail of dirt behind him. This will really get to her – dirt on the bed.

When Mom started to make dinner and didn’t go upstairs, Tyler decided to knock over a lamp or two, just to get Mom’s attention. Crash! Down went Tyler’s baseball glove lamp. Plunk! The baseball trophies tumbled from the nightstand.

That got Mom’s attention. She came bolting upstairs and stopped at the doorway. She would have made a pretty fair greyhound,  Tyler thought with a smirk.

Mom shook her finger at the dog. “Dundee, that is enough. Get outside on the porch. I don’t know what’s gotten into you today.” She put her hand holding the dishcloth on her hip. “I don’t like you when you do these things.” Perfect. It’s working. Dundee will not be number one in this house. Just wait till I’m back. She’ll really appreciate me then.

A thought caused Tyler to stop still as ceramic dog. What if I stay a dog forever? What if Mom is so mad at me that she takes me to the pound. What if I lose my family? He started to howl a horrible, mournful wailing sound that surprised even himself. Mom grabbed him by the collar and ushered him onto the screened in porch. “You just stay out there, bad doggie. You did this to yourself. You know better.” 

She turned around and headed for the kitchen without even a glance back at a very sorrowful canine.

Hey, dogs who live with people have a pretty great life, right? Take a look into the secret world of Tyler who stays home while Dundee goes to school. Do you think being home alone every day is more fun than going to school?

Chapter 8 "A Long Doggie Day"

Looking out the long window by the front door, Tyler watched Mom pull out of the driveway and go up the hill, just like the school bus. He finished his breakfast and drank some water, then went upstairs and looked around. He sniffed at the clothes on the floor and found a half-eaten granola bar in the shirt pocket. He sniffed around the rest of the house and gobbled up a small piece of popcorn that was wedged between the cushions of the couch. He thought about watching TV, but couldn’t press the buttons on the remote. Trying to read was even more difficult since it was impossible to turn the pages. Even licking his paws didn’t help. Who knew I would miss my thumbs so much?

Tyler found a napping spot near the garden window where the sun warmed the carpet. It was Dundee’s favorite spot and the nap on the carpet was flatter than other places. Hey, this isn’t so bad. I don’t have to make my bed and I won’t have any homework to do. Yippee! He settled his head on his front paws. Then he raised his head. Wait a minute, he thought. Being a dog for a day might be OK, but what if I stay a dog forever? He yawned and stretched his front paws. I’ll think about that after my nap. The warm sunlight brushed away his fears and he fell asleep.
 
It was a peacock, a big beautiful squawking bird, its feathers displayed and its eyes beady running to attack Tyler. But the dog was ready to pounce, eyes wide and growling. “Brrrinnnggg, Brrrinnngg.”
 
Huh? What? Tyler lifted his head and opened his eyes. He was back in his spot, still breathing heavily. He lifted up onto his front paws and shook his head. “Brrrinnnggg.” Oh, the phone. Tyler set his head down and brushed his snout with his paws. Just a dream. He rolled over onto his side and drifted off.

A short time later, the doorbell rang. Without thinking, Tyler jumped up and began to bark. He looked out the window. It was the UPS worker leaving a package on the front porch for Mom. Geez.  He returned to his spot and and lay on his back, paws up. But he couldn’t sleep. Nothing to see on the ceiling. This is boring. He went into the kitchen and lapped some water from his bowl. It was on the opposite side of the house next to the den. He saw the rug near the fireplace and resumed his nap.

A loud buzz from outside woke Tyler up. At first he thought it was part of a dream, but the sound droned on and on. What the heck is that noise? By now Tyler was irritated. He propped his paws on the window sill and looked between the blinds. It was Tony, the retired next door neighbor, cutting his lawn.

From there Tyler went to check his bowl, in case by magic some doggie snacks might appear.  But it was empty. He licked the dry bowl and ambled back to the front window. He looked up and down the street. All was quiet. Great. The canine snuggled up next to the couch away from the window and the sunshine. It was a nice, quiet, dark spot.  He curled up into a ball near Mom’s favorite chair. He snoozed with her scent nearby.

“Bam. Bang. Clang.”  Tyler bolted upright. The loud noise scared him and he was shivering. He shook his head and went to the window. It was the city garbage truck emptying the bins left near the street. Now, I know why dogs go after the men who pick up garbage. They are the worst for interrupting nap time. Grrrr. Tyler sighed and decided to go upstairs. Hmmm, maybe I should slide under the bed? Why didn’t I think of this before? OK, maybe I’m not such a smart dog. Something made him pause as he struggled to push himself through the narrow space. He heard a familiar sound, a door slam, and footsteps on the back porch.

He knew who it was. She smelled like lilies of the valley. He hopped down the stairs and rubbed his whole body against her leg. “Hello, my darling,” Mom said. She leaned down and took his head between her hands. Her eyes were sparkling and she had a big smile on her face. After a long scratch behind his ears, Mom bent over and kissed his snout. Tyler was so happy to see her. “Did you have a nice doggie day?”

Tyler whined. I hope your day wasn’t as frustrating as mine. “Come on. Let’s go out for a while,” she said while attaching his leash.

Yes, a walk, outside! Tyler could hardly stand still his tail was wagging so hard. After she put on a sweater, they walked down the stairs and started around the block. It had been a long time since he and Mom had gone for a walk together, just the two of them. Mom chatted about what was on her mind, what she might make for dinner, about the upcoming PTA meeting, baseball practice. It really didn’t matter. It was just wonderful to listen to her voice and be near her. Tyler felt very close to his mom. I wonder if she has any idea…

They stopped to let two college kids on bicycles pass. Tyler licked mom’s hand. She leaned over and patted his head. “I do so love you, Dundee. You know, I loved you first, before Tyler was born. You’re my favorite friend in the whole world.”

A neighbor who was outside digging weeds stood up when she saw them coming. The two women started chatting.
Wait a minute. Tyler just stood still for a minute, his head cocked one way, then the other. I thought I was your favorite, not Dundee. I’m your son. Then, he realized, she doesn’t know.

I don’t care. I won’t be second fiddle, not even to Dundee. Feeling jealous, a plan began to form in Tyler’s brain. I may just have to get into some doggie trouble. Then she’ll change her mind about who she loves more!

Oops! It's Tuesday! That means that somebody forgot to post this week's Dundee Monday chapter! (Must have been chasing some crazy cat!) 

What do you think are the main differences between the way people experience the world and the way dogs do? Think about what your dog loves to do; now imagine yourself doing those things.

Chapter 7 A Dog's Life

A pig’s ear? Tyler whined at Mom who was still drinking her morning coffee.  You really expect me to eat a pig’s ear? Do you know who I am? But then Mom swiped the treat under Tyler’s nose and without any further thought, he jumped up and crunched it like a hungry dinosaur. It was gone in two bites. Tyler licked his lips.  Not bad, not bad at all. Tastes like chicken.

Mom was getting ready to go to work. She shooed Tyler out the back door. “Do your business, Dundee,” she said.
Business? Then an urge overcame Tyler and he ran for the fire hydrant. Without thinking he lifted his leg and a yellow stream dripped over it, puddling at the bottom. OK.

Tyler almost gasped at all the smells that overcame him. Oh, yeah, a dog’s sense of smell is one hundred times greater than humans. Whoa… Tyler sniffed the air. From the front yard he could recognize all the children who had waited by the hydrant for the bus stop: Clair’s peanut butter sandwich for lunch, Owen’s gym shoes, and Billy’s breakfast breath from sausage and eggs. That kid never remembers to brush his teeth.  He could smell the candy that was in the empty candy wrapper on the street and the mint growing in the planter.  Oops, a beer bottle. Yuck. And then the smell of of of rabbits!
He hopped over the holly bushes hoping to scare the rabbits out of their hiding place. After a few barks, he gave up. Darn. Guess nobody’s home. Oh, well.

Tyler spied the neighbor’s gray tabby cat hiding behind the big oak tree, crouched low on all fours, stalking some doves looking for worms. Oh, no you don’t. Tyler baring his teeth and growling had the feline dashing away as if Dundee were some cat eating monster. Huh, what do you know?

With his legs moving like a locomotive, he ran faster than he ever had as a boy. Guess four legs are better than two for running. Dogs would make great center fielders. Too bad they can’t catch. He heard the sound of the wind in his floppy ears.
Tyler kicked up his heels in excitement and starting running, just to be running, until he spied the chipmunks. He stopped and looked at one, and then the other. He couldn’t tell which was Chip and which was Dale. That’s what Mom always called them. One look at Tyler and they scurried over each other to their hole in the ground. Scaredy cats.

After chasing a squirrel up a tree, Tyler ran back to the yard enjoying the crackling of long fallen leaves rustling at his paws. He lifted his nose and continued smelling all the aromas of the morning, like coffee. “Dundee,” called Mom from the porch, holding her favorite cup. “Hey, wild thing, come back here. Some people in this house have to go to work.”
Because he was a good dog, Tyler rushed back to Mom. She gave him a kiss on the snout and ruffled his ears. She grabbed her purse and after saying, “Be a good dog,” left for work.

Why does she say that every time? She already knows I’m a good dog. Tyler stretched on the carpet by the door before laying down.  Humans….

Guess what day it is? If you guessed Dundee Monday, then you are R-I-G-H-T! Can you imagine what it would be like to be a dog who uses the restroom at school? Guess what happens during math class! Sounds like a rough doggie day. What would you do?
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Chapter 6 Afternoon Classes
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The boys and girls lined up on opposite sides of the hallway. The boys went into one room and the girls went into the other room. Dundee thought it was silly to call this resting since there were no couches just funny looking things attached to the wall and seats with big holes in the center. 

Dundee lagged behind the other boys and watched Kevin. “Hey, Tyler, what are you looking at?” asked Kevin.
“Nothing.” Dundee felt awkward. He had seen Tyler go to the bathroom before. He figured he could do the same thing. He struggled with his pants, but the worst part was that his leg kept wanting to lift and he wobbled on one leg. It’s a lot harder trying to balance on one leg than on three legs.

“What a weirdo,” said Alfred who noticed Dundee struggling to keep his balance. Kevin thought it was funny and started to laugh. So did the other boys. 

Mrs. Duncan called into the restroom. “What’s so funny in there? Come on, boys.” The others splashed water onto each other as they washed their hands, then scurried back to the line. Dundee used his hands to help balance. He hurried outside without stopping at the sink. Stifled giggles greeted him. He pretended to ignore the other boys. 

When they entered the classroom Mrs. Duncan said, “Math time.” Oh, great, Math. Dundee passed the math worksheets behind him to Jessica. He felt a knot in his stomach and felt like crying. He put his fist to his mouth.

“Let’s practice what we learned yesterday,” said Mrs. Duncan brightly. Dundee looked around. Kevin and Alfred were bent over their worksheets. Jessica was erasing. He still couldn’t figure how to hold a pencil so he could pretend. I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to read or do math. I just want to rest. This is all too hard. “I want to go home,” Dundee cried softly.

Mrs. Duncan was preparing a lesson at her desk and didn’t notice Dundee’s frustration. Jessica did. She came over to him and said, “I’ll help you, Tyler. I know that math is hard for you. We’ll do it together.” Just then, Dundee was overwhelmed with gratitude. She’s so pretty and so nice. She smells like soap. In that moment Dundee forgot himself, leaned over and gave her a great big wet doggie kiss on the cheek.

“Ouuuuu,” shrieked Jessica. “I’ll never want to kiss a boy as long as I live!”  She wiped her shirt sleeve over her shining cheek. “And, you can do your math yourself!” she pouted as she went back to her seat. 

The class giggled. Mrs. Duncan was so absorbed in her work that she barely glanced up. Dundee felt awful. He didn’t mean to upset Jessica and was embarrassed. He began to daydream; I wonder what Tyler is doing at home.

He looked out the window; it had started to rain.