A Pup Named Chaos

If Sam doesn't teach his dog to behave, Dad is going to sell him to a farm. The dog has had its last warning.

Sam doesn't know if Dad is serious but he sure was mad yesterday when he missed his train because Chase stole his cell phone and tore through the house with it. No one could catch him. From now on, Sam is determined to keep the puppy out of Dad's way.

The morning alarm rings. Sam jumps out of bed. Chase is pawing at the door - eager to start the morning. He barks loudly - demanding to be set free from Sam's room.

Sam tries to hush the puppy but he's too excited to listen.

Mom knocks at the door. "Sam," she says. "I brought you some dog biscuits. Keep the dog busy. You can let him out as soon as Dad leaves."

Sam opens the door to take the biscuits but his grip the Chase's collar is not tight enough. Chase breaks loose and runs between Mom's legs, heading for the stairs.

Chase runs downstairs with Sam in close pursuit. Dad is standing in front of the hall mirror - straightening his tie and with some gel - his hair.

Sam uses the dog biscuits to distract the dog from Dad. Look Dad, Chase can sit. Sit Chase. Now stand Chase, instructs Sam, and the puppy does as he is told - eager to have more biscuits. Dad is pleased to see some progress and encourages Sam to keep up the training.

Dad grabs his cell phone and brief case and heads for the door. The train to the city leaves and 8:00 am sharp and he must be on it! He gives Mom a kiss goodbye and opens the door.

Once again, Chase bolts through the open door. Sam grabs his jacket to put on over his PJs, stuffs biscuits in the pockets and runs out after him - just in time to see him squeeze through the gap in the hedge and into Mrs. Cobley's front lawn. The puppy could just fit.

Better catch before he digs another hole in the garden, shouts Dad out the car window. Better catch him before the school bus comes, shouts Mom from the front door.

Sam runs around the hedge and watches Chase disappear behind the house. Poor Sam chases Chase around the house three times. Will the puppy ever tire!

Suddenly, Mrs. Cobley's cat appears in the front yard and the puppy stops in his track. Cat! Chase doesn't know what to make of the cat, but judging by the arch of its back - the cat has some ideas what to do about the puppy. Chase begins to bark madly.

Quickly, Sam throws a biscuit to Chase. Clever Chase goes for the biscuit and Sam manages to grab hold of him.

Chase isn't too big to pick up and Sam carries him back to the house. He passes Amber who is waiting at the bus stop with some friends. They are too busy gabbing to notice him or at least they pretend not to notice him which suits Sam just fine. He doesn't want to be noticed.

But when Chase sees Amber, he starts barking madly again and tries to squirm out of Sam's arms. Sam holds on tighter this time and doesn't let him go. That's enough of your bad tricks this morning, scolds Sam.

The girls smile at the puppy. Sam remembers he is still in his pajamas. Heat rises in his cheeks, fogging his glasses. He hurries in the front door.

Good work Sam, shouts Mom from the kitchen. Now you better hurry. If I have to send you to school in a cab it comes out of your allowance.

Sam leaves the puppy with Mom and hurries upstairs. A cab ride would cost him a month of cutting Mrs. Cobley's grass and that would be no fun. Oh well, Sam thinks, I wanted a puppy and now I have a puppy, and having Chase beats all.