First published in Great Britain by
HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2019
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Text copyright © Ben Fogle 2019
Illustrations © Nikolas Ilic 2019
Cover design © HarperCollinsPublishers 2019
Ben Fogle and Nikolas Ilic assert the moral right to be identified as the author and illustrator of the work respectively.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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Source ISBN: 9780008306366
Ebook Edition © 2019 ISBN: 9780008306373
Version: 2019-02-09
To Ludo and Iona.
A life of love and respect for all
animals great and small.
Contents
Chapter One: Mr Dog and Mother Rabbit
Chapter Three: The Story of Socks
The rabbit was running as fast as she could. The dog was gaining on her. Her fluffy white tail bobbed about as she darted left and right, trying to give him the slip. But the dog was too fast.
The rabbit rolled over on to her back as a long furry snout loomed above her …
‘Tag! You’re it!’ The dog nudged the bunny’s belly with his nose and snorted. ‘Now it’s your turn to catch me – if you can!’
‘Wait!’ snuffled the rabbit. ‘I’m all puffed out.’
‘Very well. I shall wait.’ The dog sat down for three seconds, then jumped straight up again, panting. ‘There! Ready to play now?’
The rabbit thumped a hind leg in excitement. Most dogs she’d met were scary and chased you because they wanted to get you. This dog was different.
He was a scruffy, scraggy mutt, his coat black except for his white nose and front paws. In place of a collar he had a red and white hanky tied round his neck. His long tail swished all about, busy as a broom, and his shaggy eyebrows were full of expression.
‘What’s your name?’ asked the curious rabbit.
‘Mr Dog,’ the dog replied. ‘What’s yours?’
‘Mother Rabbit.’ She paused, whiskers twitching. ‘If you don’t mind me saying so, Mr Dog is a funny name.’
‘No, no, no. Figgy-Jig is a funny name.’ Mr Dog danced a small jig on his hind legs. ‘Bafflehonk, Wiggy and Dumpy-Drawers are all funny names. But Mr Dog is … elegant.’ He bowed his head. ‘Rather like myself!’
‘Did your owners name you Mr Dog?’
‘Owners?’ Mr Dog’s eyes widened. ‘I don’t have owners. I’ve had a few pet humans, if that’s what you mean. But I prefer the travelling life. Right now I’m staying in a garden.’ He licked his nose. ‘Perfectly nice woman who lives in the house, but she will insist on throwing away perfectly good balls, however many times I take them back.’
‘Well,