Stick Dog Wants a Hot Dog Read Online Free Page A

confidence back a little. “To the mall. I bet there’s a helicopter store at the mall. That’s where we’re going. You betcha.”

    â€œUmm, okay,” said Stick Dog. “Let’s go ahead and say that there’s such a thing as a helicopter store. And let’s assume that just such a store is at our local shopping mall. After all, that mall has about every other kind of store. So why not a helicopter store? How much does a helicopter cost anyway?”

    â€œA dollar?” answered Stripes. “Two dollars? Maybe? We can probably find that much change in the parking lot.”
    â€œI think it may cost a little more than that. But you know what? I’ve never bought a helicopter before, so what do I know?”
    â€œMaybe they’re having a big sale today,” said Mutt, trying to help.
    â€œMaybe so,” said Stick Dog. “So let’s go ahead and say there is such a thing as a helicopter store. And let’s say there is one at the mall. And let’s say it costs one dollar—because of the big helicopter sale today. I still have one question.”
    Stripes closed her eyes. She really, really, really didn’t want to know what Stick Dog’s next question was. “Yes?”
    â€œDo any of us know how to fly a helicopter?”
    Stripes kicked at some dirt with her front left paw. “Shoot,” she said, and hung her head.
    â€œIf it wasn’t for that one detail,” said Stick Dog.
    Then Stripes lifted her head and started to smile a little to herself just for a moment before straightening her face again. “I thought YOU knew how to fly a helicopter, Stick Dog.”

    Stick Dog began to shake his head and speak, but he didn’t get the chance because Stripes turned to the other three dogs and began speaking herself.
    â€œForget it, you guys,” she said, and sort of nodded a couple of times toward Stick Dog. “The helicopter plan isn’t going to work, after all. I had everything all worked out, but Stick Dog doesn’t know how to be a helicopter pilot. So the plan is ruined. Thanks to him.”
    â€œBut . . . ,” began Stick Dog.
    But Stripes interrupted him again. “No, no,” she said. “Don’t worry about it, Stick Dog. You don’t have to apologize to me. It’s okay. I’m not mad at you for ruining my most excellent plan with your lack of helicopter-piloting skills. Oh, I am a little disappointed in you, that’s true. But not mad. You’re still my good friend. I do wish I could depend on you to do your part when it comes to such things, but it’s okay. We’ll get through it.”
    Stick Dog just stared. And stared. Finally, he said, “Well, Stripes, I don’t know what to say.”
    â€œYou don’t have to say anything,” said Stripes. “It’s okay.”
    â€œThanks,” said Stick Dog. And then he turned to Karen. “You must have a plan too. Is it a good plan?”
    â€œIt’s not a good plan. It’s not even a great plan,” said Karen. “It is definitely the most extra-spectacular splendiferous frankfurter-snatching strategy of all time.”

    â€œOkay,” Stick Dog said. “Out with it then.”
    â€œIt’s so brilliant because it’s so simple,” Karen began, and started to pace in front of the other four dogs. “We’re going to walk right up to old Prickle Pop there and . . .”
    â€œHis name’s Peter,” Stick Dog whispered.
    â€œMm-hmm, yeah. That’s what I said,” replied Karen, never missing one of her little dachshund strides. “Anyway, this marvelous plan is going to work for one reason: greed.”
    â€œGreed?” asked Stick Dog.
    â€œGreed,” answered Karen. Then she did something rather odd. And, let’s face it, rather odd for this bunch of dogs is going to be pretty darn peculiar. Karen stopped pacing back