Badger the Mystical Mutt and the Crumpled Capers by Lyn McNicol Read Free Book Online Page A

Pogo Paws together.
    Suddenly, Pogo Paws charged towards Badger, Timmy and Snif, brandishing his rolling pin.

Snif stood up tall and placed himself between the rolling pin and Badger and Timmy.
    â€œDrop it now and step away from the rolling pin,” barked Snif.
    Pogo Paws laid down his weapon and backed off. Pickle kept hold of her bin lid shield, and Lennie began to peel off his tinfoil.
    â€œYes, this is where I’ve been. And if you knew anything at all, you would know why. While you were so busy trying to destroy Timmy yesterday,
he
was busy trying to save my life,” continued Snif.
    Pogo Paws and Pickle looked at each other, not quite sure what to say. Lennie, who was lurking at the back, simply said, “Nice one, Timmy.”
    â€œIn fact, now is probably a good time to tell you, I’m not your leader any more. You’re on your own. I resign.”
    A month later, when the bitter frost had become less bitter, Badger was on his way to see Timmy and Snif.
    Ahead of him in the lane, he spied Pickle, Pogo Paws and Lennie. Pickle threw a scrunched-up paper ball behind her before running on with the others. Badger tutted at Pickle’s littering, and stopped to pick it up.
    He smoothed out the paper ball and read aloud:
    â€œToday, you are cordially invited to the Grand Opening of PLOPP, the new local drop-in centre for
The Peaceful Living Organisation for Pooches and Pussycats”
    He smoothed it out some more.
    â€œNo more crumpledness here,” he thought, as he marched on proudly to attend the opening of Timmy and Snif’s new centre. He wanted to present Timmy with a very special gift.
    Badger smiled as he walked past the easels with tail-wagging diagrams and signs for workshops explaining the body language of cats and dogs. He chuckled at one blackboard as he read the words:
Fundamental Difference No. 1. Dogs like to be liked; cats aren’t bothered
.
    And he giggled when he saw a group of dogs giving some cats a lesson on how to endear themselves to the Big Folk.
    He passed a production line with recycled cans of Buddy Bites and saw Snif in an apron with a net on his head, packing a thick yellow sludge into the cans.

    â€œHi, Badger,” shouted Snif. “I’m chief-chunker. What do you think? It’s our new papaya and pineapple preserve; perfect for preventing allergies caused by pet dander.”

    â€œWow, that’s amazing!” said Badger.
    â€œWe’ve just done a deal to supply the local lanes, and it’s really catching on. We plan to expand across the duck pond soon, and we’re doing a roaring trade on p-bay.”
    â€œToastastic! Is Timmy here today?” he asked.
    â€œYes, he’s over there,” said Snif happily. “And his sneezes are long gone. This papaya and pineapple preserve sorted his allergy in a jiff of a jiffy.”
    Timmy was hosting a session to his fellow cats on, “Conquering your fear of water”, when Badger appeared shyly at his side.
    â€œI just wanted to give you this, Timmy,” said Badger holding out his paws.
    Timmy looked and saw a shiny new Badger badge.
    â€œBut I thought …” he gasped,” that a Badger badge was a once-in-a-lifetime award, and I’ve already had mine”
    â€œYes, but you lost it during a remarkable feat of bravery, so I had another one made, just like it.”
    Timmy pinned it proudly to his collar and thanked Badger. Snif appeared by his side and pointed happily to the sign above the entrance.
    â€œWhat do you think of our logo?” he asked.
    Badger looked at the PLOPP lettering, which had a sprig of mistletoe entwined around it.

    â€œI think it’s very appropriate, Snif, as mistletoe is, after all, a symbol of peace and harmony. I wish you well with this. It’s a really good thing you’re doing for us all.”
    Snif and Timmy linked paws and smiled.
    Out in the lane, Pogo Paws and Pickle were figuring out which of them