The Fast and the Furriest (20 page)
Read The Fast and the Furriest Online
Authors: Andy Behrens
“We’ll need to finish that course in 38 seconds next time for sure!” shouted Kevin. He sped past a mail carrier, then jumped a hydrant. “Might even need to go 37, because Shasta was
not
a gracious second-place finisher.” Kevin leapt over a planting bed with Cromwell at his heels. “See, you’ve gotta
really
want this, Cromwell, if you’re going to defend that champ—”
The dog glanced up, woofed, and locked eyes with Kevin as they ran.
“Okay, so you don’t need the pep talks. Me, I sometimes do.”
Cromwell barked, dipped his head, and broke into an all-out sprint. Kevin chased after him, grinning, his shoes squishing, the leash held loose in his hand.
The author wishes to extend his sincere gratitude to everyone at Alloy Entertainment, and he would like to specifically flatter/thank Sara Shandler, Katie Schwartz, and Josh Bank. Also, many thanks to Nancy Hinkel, Nora Pelizzari, Jan Dundon, Jennifer Boss, Ella Behrens, and All For Doggies Chicago.
Two canines must be acknowledged as well: Izzy and Henry. The latter is a stout pug, fond of sausage. Needs to change his lifestyle. Consider this an intervention, fatty.
Andy Behrens is the author of two previous children’s books and has written for the
Chicago Reader, Flak Magazine
, and ESPN.com, among others. He lives in Chicago with his wife and daughter and is a self-described “avid, somewhat psychotic Bears fan.” This is his first book for Knopf.
THIS IS A BORZOI BOOK PUBLISHED BY ALFRED A. KNOPF
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2010 by Alloy Entertainment and Andy Behrens
All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
Knopf, Borzoi Books, and the colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Behrens, Andy.
The fast and the furriest / Andy Behrens.—1st ed.
p. cm.
Summary: The overweight and unathletic son of a famous former football star
discovers that his equally fat and lazy dog is unexpectedly—and obsessively—
interested in competing in dog-agility contests.
eISBN: 978-0-375-89602-6
[1. Dogs—Agility trials—Fiction. 2. Dogs—Training—Fiction. 3. Competition
(Psychology)—Fiction. 4. Football—Fiction. 5. Humorous stories.] I. Title.
PZ7.B388233Fas 2010
[Fic]—dc22
2009018365
Random House Children’s Books supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right to read.
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