The Case of the Missing Dog

“I’m so sorry about your dog,” said Andy, the teenager who lived next door. 

“Thanks, Andy,” said Caleb. “We’re going to make some posters to let people know she’s missing.”

Caleb noticed that Andy had a shopping bag from the local video game store tucked under his arm. 

“Did you get a new game, Andy?” 

“Yeah! I just bought the new Zelda game. It’s a special edition that comes with a book of artwork from the game.” 

“Nice!” said Caleb. He had been wanting the game too. The special edition was $69.99. He was saving up. 

“I have some advice for your posters,” said Andy. “When the Simons’ and the Ferraras’ dogs got taken, they offered a reward. $50 to the person who found the pups! They got their dogs back in no time.”

“Taken?” said Caleb. He remembered seeing the posters when two neighborhood dogs went missing last week. 

“I’m so sorry about your dog,” said Andy. Andy was a teenager. He lived next door.

“Thanks, Andy,” said Caleb. “We’re going to make some posters. That way, people will know she’s missing.”

Caleb noticed something. Andy was holding a shopping bag. The bag was from a video game store.

“Did you get a new game?” asked Caleb. 

“Yeah!” said Andy. “I just bought the new Zelda game. It’s a special edition. It comes with a book of artwork from the game.”

“Nice!” said Caleb. He wanted the game too. The special edition was $69.99. He was saving his money to buy it.

“I see you’re making posters. I have some advice,” said Andy. “The Simons’ dog got taken, too. So did the Ferraras’ dog. Both families offered a reward. They gave $50 to the person who found the dogs! They got their pets back in no time.”

“Taken?” said Caleb. He remembered seeing the posters. Those dogs had gone missing last week. 

After Andy left, the Crafts argued about how generous their reward for Trixie should be. Then they finished their posters. But by the time they were done, the sun had set. They decided to wait until the next morning to hang the posters around the neighborhood. 

The Crafts hadn’t even gotten out of their pajamas the next morning when the doorbell rang. Caleb opened the door, and Trixie bounded into the house. She licked Tanya’s cheek.  

The family was so thrilled to see her, they barely noticed Andy following through the open door. 

“Look who I found! Now, if you’ll give me my $50, please,” he said, while taking out his wallet. Mrs. Craft reached for her purse. 

“Not so fast, Mom!” said Caleb. “Get out your phone instead. Andy is a dognapper. We should call his parents. I bet if he opens his wallet, he’ll have about $30 in it.” 

The Crafts argued after Andy left. They decided how much money they should give as a reward for Trixie. Then they finished their posters. The sun set before they were done. They decided to wait until the next morning to hang the posters.

The doorbell rang early the next morning. The Crafts were still wearing their pajamas. Caleb opened the door. Trixie bounded into the house. She licked Tanya’s cheek. 

The family was thrilled to see her. They barely noticed Andy. He followed Trixie through the door. 

“Look who I found! Please give me my $50,” he said. He took out his wallet. Mrs. Craft reached for her purse.

“Not so fast, Mom!” said Caleb. “Get out your phone. Andy is a dognapper. We should call his parents. I bet he has about $30 in his wallet.”