One Paw In The Air
“Yeah,” said Bernie, “I brought money.”
Foster stuck out his hand. “Let’s have it.”
Bernie shook his head. “My client is willing to pay $1000 for Astrid’s whereabouts.”
“Forget it.”
“And another $1000 for the whereabouts of Ray Jason.”
Foster gave Bernie a long stare. Long stares bother me. I was thinking of doing something about it when I caught another faint whiff of that smell I knew was so important in our line of work. Then a breeze sprang up behind me and took the scent away. I took a few steps in the direction it had gone, and then Bernie said, “Chet?” I paused, one front paw raised in the air.
“Ray Jason?” Foster said. “That’s a new one on me.”
“Swear on that?” Bernie said. “Cross your heart and hope to die?”
Foster’s mouth fell open.
“Just a little humor,” Bernie said.
Foster didn’t look amused. “You’re a funny guy. Albie says he likes funny guys, but take it from me – he really doesn’t.”
“Hope you know what you’re doing,” Bernie said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Foster.
Bernie reached into his pocket.
Many thanks to Anna Dorfman, book cover artist extraordinaire:
Tags: Albie Rose, Astrid, Foster, Ray, smells
This entry was posted on Friday, May 21st, 2010 at 8:54 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
4:24 am on May 21st, 2010
Anna Dorfman really did an excellent job on the cover. It is stunning. I think that those who have not read the series yet will be, first, attracted by the colors and, then, the point of view. They'll want to read the novel to find the answer to the mystery of a man and dog watching a puckish elephant. I can't wait to find out in what way Peanut is a piece of work.
I'm still pondering the content of today's blog.
4:44 am on May 21st, 2010
Anna!… I found her website and she also created the cover for ‘Dog On It’… snort!… I have to confess, a big reason we bought the first book was because of the cover….grunt!…. Thanks Anna!
5:18 am on May 21st, 2010
Chet: I love the cover. The circus and the colours do draw you in but the real grabber for me is those mismatched ears. I know you're sensitive about them, Chet, but I like the way they were in total silhouette in Dog On It and now it's a clear back of the head view. Kind of like the way you slowly reveal the stories. Someday we may get a frontal face shot.
Bountiful feast for the eyes, Anna.
Oh how I wish I had that book in my hands. And to think that Rio will get a signed, paw-printed copy. He must be skipping.
5:24 am on May 21st, 2010
Awesome! And to think the Pack and I were the first ones who said Peanut was an elephant . . . (subtle hint here!)
Zoë wanted to know if Chet's mismatched ears were also of a different size besides color. She couldn't remember without the books. They look a different size on Chet . . Any KIndle operators out there with a search button?
Okay, So Bernie has told Foster, $2,000 total for information on Astrid AND Ray. We know that CB has said Whatever it takes. So Bernie could go higher. . .
And why is Foster bringing up Albie not liking funny guys. At this point it seems he has opened his mouth a bit too much. Is Albie behing this whole thing?
Hmmm. Much to ponder.
5:28 am on May 21st, 2010
H e l l o D a w s o n!
Heh!… I was just thinking about that this morning!… gruff!… It’s such a beautiful book and I will one day have a signed copy…sigh
Skipping! I’m skipping!… grunt!
5:54 am on May 21st, 2010
Melanie: I don't think that Chet's ears are different in size. However, in DOI Gulagov sliced off the tip of one ear with a razor.
Rio: I'm pondering your comment last night: "Too much fun is not nearly enough fun at all." Interesting.
6:03 am on May 21st, 2010
Stover!…. You are sure doing a lot of pondering this morning!…. snort!… Just add it to the list of “Rio’s Quotes”.… heh!… I’m in a very good mood today for some reason…. wooo!… I’m skipping! I’m skipping!… wheeze!
6:05 am on May 21st, 2010
Speculation: We now know that Ray is also missing. Apparently Foster knows nothing about him….so, no connection between Ray and Albie? Since Foster's mouth falls open at Bernie's "humor," Foster must be a very literal person who doesn't think deeply?
I took Foster's comment about Albie not really liking funny guys as advice/warning to Bernie. Since Bernie's comment, "I hope you know what you're doing" to Foster seems to indicate concern, I don't think Bernie considers him a threat. That also seems to indicate that Bernie believes that Foster is not on Albie's side and that, therefore, Foster may be in trouble if he's not careful.
6:12 am on May 21st, 2010
Humor!… I think Foster’s mouth fell open because of the “Cross your heart and hope to die?” comment… snicker!… Is Bernie reaching into his pocket for the money or a piece of gum?…. or his gun?… snort!
6:22 am on May 21st, 2010
"Cross your heart and hope to die" is the humorous comment I was referring to Rio. Why do you think that makes Foster's mouth fall open?
6:25 am on May 21st, 2010
Contests…quizzes…paw printed and signed books as prizes. I keep hearing rumours of these things but rumours is all I hear. Yes, I would like some cheese with that…cheese?
Chet…you don't smell old cheese do you? Because Albie smells like old cheese. And I don't trust Foster.
6:28 am on May 21st, 2010
Die!… I guess the comment taken in the context of his Job….snort!… might be a bit worrisome to him… grunt!
6:32 am on May 21st, 2010
I get it Rio. Interesting… and then Bernie reaches into his pocket…..
Dawson: Why don't you trust Foster?
I hope we have a contest.
6:45 am on May 21st, 2010
Contest!… Both of my books are loaned out!… crap!
6:47 am on May 21st, 2010
B.Stover: One reason I don't trust Foster is that he doesn't seem very cooperative. And the other reason is pure instinct – as in the hairs on the back of my neck are wiggling.
7:51 am on May 21st, 2010
Rio: Oh oh. Do we have to have our books for these contests?
7:59 am on May 21st, 2010
D a w s o n! … I guess it depends on the questions!… heh!
8:23 am on May 21st, 2010
Puckish!…. I like that word!…. snort!… Is ‘impish’ the opposite of ‘puckish’? … Stover used it to describe Peanut!… heh!
8:26 am on May 21st, 2010
Chet: I suggest we have a contest for those of us who are not the brightest on the block scholastically speaking. Otherwise Rio and B.Stover will end up with too many books. Even though Rio probably needs at least two because he keeps lending his out.
My instincts are telling me that the only way I'll get an autographed paw printed copy is to head down to Cape Cod or attend one of Spencer's public appearances.
8:33 am on May 21st, 2010
D a w s o n!…. I will send you a photo of my autographed book after I receive it… snort!
8:42 am on May 21st, 2010
Paw! … Will do! on the Paw Print!…snort!… I'm skipping! I'm skipping!… woooo!
8:58 am on May 21st, 2010
Rio: I think that impish is a synonym of puckish. It's derived from an Old English word, puca, which meant a malicious or mischievous spirit. In Middle English it was identified with Satan. By Shakespeare's time (and he's considered Modern English), it referred to a trickster or impish character….Puck (Robin Goodfellow)in Midsummer Night's Dream. Sorry, didn't mean to give you a dissertation but you know that I love words.
9:07 am on May 21st, 2010
Dawson: I understand. Since Foster is asking for money, he can't be a very honest person.
The paw print is "shrunken." I can't remember how it was described when I was told I'd be getting an autographed and paw-printed copy of THAT. But it's really neat!
Rio: I forgot to say, I think that the expression on the face (especially the eyes) of Peanut is "puckish."
9:51 am on May 21st, 2010
Antonym!… Can a word be both a Synonym and an Antonym to another word?…. snort!
10:06 am on May 21st, 2010
I am really so happy to see that Chet's ear is now white on the cover. As much as I love the other two covers, it just wasn't right to see him with two black ears. A dog doesn't like to be misrepresented!
10:15 am on May 21st, 2010
Antonyms refer to words opposite in meaning; synonyms refer to words similar in meaning. I guess I'd have to say no to your question. What specifically are you referring to? (Imp and puck in Modern English both mean mischievous. Earlier they were both associated with "demon" and they can both be used to mean "evil" or "devilish" today. I suppose "mischievous" and "evil" are not synonyms, but I think the move from one meaning to the other is understandable. I always think of "trickster" for imp or puck, such as Bugs Bunny.)
10:34 am on May 21st, 2010
Impish!… I looked it up – It is both a synonym and an antonym to puckish … snort!… How about that?!
10:48 am on May 21st, 2010
Holy crap!
You both win!
11:00 am on May 21st, 2010
Rio: Where are you looking?
11:08 am on May 21st, 2010
You puckish pug!
11:14 am on May 21st, 2010
Stover!… I puckishly looked it up on
http://www.synonym.com/
…snort!
11:16 am on May 21st, 2010
I don't like Foster because Chet doesn't like Foster.
I'm glad to see that Bernie is dealing with cash and has (apparently) left his checkbook at home!
I think that Franklin should win a prize for being able to disappear in plain sight! (Molly – I loved your joke!)
This confirms that Ray is missing, something that I wasn't positve about until just now.
I love how Chet raised one paw in the air. I'm going to practice. Hey, maybe I can blur and raise a paw up at the SAME time! Whoa, that might take some practice.
11:16 am on May 21st, 2010
Here is impish at thesaurus.com…..Puckish is a "related" word (in the left hand column) and below are antonyms listed, one of which is "unmischievous" but not puckish.
http://thesaurus.com/browse/impish?__utma=1.13184…
11:24 am on May 21st, 2010
Rio: I went out to your synonymn site and clicked on both the synonym and antonym tabs. It is confusing, but what they are giving you on the antonym tab is first the synonyms and then underneath that the antonyms: unplayful, serious, sober.
11:29 am on May 21st, 2010
Well!… I don’t think www. synonym.com is a very reliable site at all!… snort!… I couldn’t imagine how a word could be both to another word… grunt!
11:30 am on May 21st, 2010
!…. Then it’s just me who is baffled and confused…. Heh!
11:34 am on May 21st, 2010
Grunt!… That last sentence doesn’t sound right …. Sigh… I give up…. snort!… In a couple more hours I will be drinking beer at the Pub… gruff!…. and all will be forgotten… sniff!
11:37 am on May 21st, 2010
Melanie: I can just imagine Franklin when he's "disappearing". So funny.
11:41 am on May 21st, 2010
It's just confusing the way the site set it up. Your last sentence is fine. When you're at the pub drink a toast to Peanut the puckish elephant.
11:43 am on May 21st, 2010
Good grief! We've spent all day on puckish and impish.
What is it that Chet smells? Wolfie thinks it's death.
11:45 am on May 21st, 2010
Wolfie: Can you blur on three legs?
12:01 pm on May 21st, 2010
The cover of the book is beautiful! Love the striking colors and the way Chet and Bernie are pictured. It just doesn't get any better than this. I think it is really going to catch the eye of people in the bookstores.
The first book of Chet's I picked up as soon as I saw it because it had a dog on the front of it. It only took a few seconds of examining the book closer to know that I wanted to read it. I have rejected books with a dog on the cover when I find out it is a romance disguised as a dog story, or if the story is going to be too "cute" for my tastes.
Whatever Chet smells has got to be some distance away because it is a faint scent to him. Our noses are the best! I suspect the same thing that Wolfie does.
Mom and I drove by one of those empty housing developments today..it was more or less out in the middle of nowhere. We thought of Chet and Bernie.
12:36 pm on May 21st, 2010
Stover!… I will drink a toast to you too!… snort!… Hell, I’ll just drink a toast to everyone on the blog… heh!
1:38 pm on May 21st, 2010
Thanks Rio: I am most interested in the paw print. Whether it is life-sized or shrunken.
12:47 pm on May 21st, 2010
YSAS was Puck once. He was a good Puck. Had a lot of practice when he was young.
Molly, really liked the joke, very good. Franklin was not disappearing today! We had a lady come over who is thinking about getting a puppy (remember we don't even remember how many we're having) and she had TREATS in her pocket. Franklin was her BFF!
12:54 pm on May 21st, 2010
Thank you Rio!
12:56 pm on May 21st, 2010
"Swear on that?” Bernie said. “Cross your heart and hope to die?”
Foster’s mouth fell open."
I'm still wondering if Albie is behind all of this. Is it old cheese of which Chet is getting a whiff? (That convoluted sentence is for B Stover, snicker)
Does Foster's mouth fall open because the whole thing is a set up and Bernie is supposed to die?
12:57 pm on May 21st, 2010
Does BFF stand for best friend, and, if so, why are there two "F's"?
1:06 pm on May 21st, 2010
I'm watching Warehouse 13 reruns…"Breakdown"…this one is so good. I'm also pondering your questions Melanie.
1:07 pm on May 21st, 2010
Ah ha!
Even I know that one…it's forever, best friends forever.
1:19 pm on May 21st, 2010
Very good Dawson. He was her BFF until the treats were gone!
1:19 pm on May 21st, 2010
Much like middle school friendships.
1:31 pm on May 21st, 2010
Thank you Dawson. I've been wondering about that one for a while.
Melanie: It seems to me that if Albie had ordered the "elimination" of Bernie, then someone–perhaps Foster–would just do it rather than going through this elaborate setup: first going to Bernie's house and now meeting him at the development. The saying "cross my heart and hope to die" does not make a great deal of sense anymore. (I realize that it probably originated as a religious oath.) To someone who is literal, as Foster seems to be and who apparently seems not to have heard it before, it would be ambiguous and surprising. Thus, the mouth falling open. Rio interpreted it as Foster taking the saying as a threat.
2:01 pm on May 21st, 2010
We can only wait and see . . . Darn. . .
Speaking (or writing) of sayings that don't make a great deal of sense anymore. . .
Was watching the Duchess of Duke Street and "Dicky Bird" came up.
Will have to look that up tomorrow.
Going to watch First season 2 episode of The X Files now.
2:13 pm on May 21st, 2010
In rhyming cockney dicky bird is used for "word" I think. It's been a long time since I watched Duchess of Duke Street. XFiles is very good. Have fun.
2:16 pm on May 21st, 2010
Jaspers' mom here. I've been sick as Chet in a helicopter for the past week. I was glad to feel good enough to get out to my library to pick up The Tutor waiting on hold for me.
You know when you read the first sentence of a book and just know it's a winner or a loser? Two key words in the first sentence of The Tutor: morning and erection. Sigh. What arousing potential this book has. What firm promise for the future. Thanks PA for elevating my desire to grab on to The Tutor with a hard and steely grip and never let go. Morning erection FTW!
2:32 pm on May 21st, 2010
Rio, I think you're so happy and skipping, skipping because of seeing that book cover. You almost have your paws on it.
3:08 pm on May 21st, 2010
Jasper, I wrote earlier to say how much I enjoyed your post. Luckily having already swallowed the drink I had in my mouth.
Then I was looking something up about "Dicky Bird" and completely forgot to upload. Or I did and it's in the Ether(net) somewhere.
3:09 pm on May 21st, 2010
Sorry that was to Jasper's Mom!
3:15 pm on May 21st, 2010
Meant to ask Wolfie:
I thought that BLURing required a sort of take off of all four paws off the ground.
Must be thinking of something else.
If four paws are required on the ground, be careful of the "One paw in the Air". If you become unbalanced where might you end up?
3:26 pm on May 21st, 2010
Guys, the screen-to me-is getting blury seeing all of this blur! Or, maybe it's just me. I feel like crap. Just figured out that mommy is going to Germany on the 28th to visit her long lost brother. And she left Megan in charge while she is gone. MY MOM HAS OFFICIALLY LOST HER MIND.
Hey, Chet! Look out for Bernie! Foster might take the money from Bernie and THEN pull out his gun! Then he would stuff Bernie's dead body somewhere secret in that Warehouse! Oh. My. God. I got MYSELF scared just thinking about it right now…
And school? What's this about school? The only way that you'll get me to a school is dragging me there kicking and screaming. And Megan is PROOF that school sucks. She says it all of the time. Ha! I got PROOF! Which is kind of what you do, don't you, Chet? Ha! Becoming more like you, you…you-you role model,you…
3:41 pm on May 21st, 2010
Lexi: Breathe dear. And another Breathe. So Megan is in charge while your mom is in Germany. Just breathe. Everything will be okay.
(aside to all others) LEXI'S MOM HAS OFFICIALLY LOST HER MIND!
It will be fine Lexi, just fine. Make sure you have bail money and can dial 911. I know that phones can be programed for dogs to make the 911 phone call.
Chet will save the day with Bernie and you will save the day with Megan. Remember you have a wonderful role model.
4:01 pm on May 21st, 2010
How old is Megan?
4:07 pm on May 21st, 2010
Hi everyone,
I am here at Quilt market and the cats are home with the other Staff. I am having a good time, but suffering Chet the Dog withdrawal! Hope you are all well. I will be back online on Monday.
Take care everyone.
Love,
Alice and Abbie's Staff
4:17 pm on May 21st, 2010
Stover!… HA! and HA!…snort!
4:18 pm on May 21st, 2010
I hope you are setting down Stover as I think Megan is 12.
Lexi, That is very good advice from Melanie.
4:25 pm on May 21st, 2010
Rio: Why the Ha and Ha?
AbbieKat's Staff: Have a good time.
4:25 pm on May 21st, 2010
Lexi!… Even though Bernie is reaching into his pocket for “something”… snort!.. I don’t think he will give Foster the money until he knows where Astrid is… grunt!… I can only imagine the news we will get from you when your ‘mommy’ is gone off to Germany… heh!… Can’t wait!… HA!… grunt!… I’m laughing a lot… Maybe I had too many beers?… Naw!… and like I said before Lexi, Bernie is Bread and Butter… heh!
4:27 pm on May 21st, 2010
I'm assuming Lexi and Megan have a "father" while mother is in Germany?
4:31 pm on May 21st, 2010
Stover!… That you are just now asking the age of Lexi struck me funny….snort!… She said she just turned one year old a while back… snorkel… but who knows???… heh! … and I have had a few beers, so factor that into the equation of laughableness….heh.
4:34 pm on May 21st, 2010
Megan!… will be in charge!… I thought Megan was the pre-teen! … snort!… Maybe we should call Social Services?… heh!
4:37 pm on May 21st, 2010
Oh!…this has been fun, but I need to get back to my Rockies…snort!… They are down by 2 in the top of the 7th!…drat!
4:39 pm on May 21st, 2010
Rio, hee hee..you had a good time at the pub, didn't you. Stover was asking the age of Megan.
"snorkel" cracks mom up.
Stover, I am sure there will be a grownup present. Lexi is young and gets easily confused. Surely, I was never like that. I can't remember.
4:40 pm on May 21st, 2010
Rio, I asked how old Megan was not Lexi. Now you're reading every other word.
4:48 pm on May 21st, 2010
Opps! … Sorry!… I did have a good time drinking some beer and having dinner with friends on a patio over-looking a lovely golf course… snort!… And the weather is actually behaving itself tonight! … gruff!…What a treat!
4:51 pm on May 21st, 2010
We are having thunderstorms.
4:53 pm on May 21st, 2010
Crapola!.. Rockies 0 – Royals – 4… I should have stayed at the Pub… hmmmm…. But in the wonderful game of baseball, things can change very quickly… grunt!….Clap Clap Clap-Clap-Clap!!!… All hope is not lost till the very end!… snort!
5:15 pm on May 21st, 2010
Whoa!… A broken piece of bat flung up into the crowd and hit someone it looked like!… snuff!.. I wonder what happens after that?… gee!… They said they had medics for that kind of thing planted around the stadium….yikes!… Medics are there for people who get hit by flying balls also… grunt!…We always pay attention and take our glove!… wheeze!… And we never have good seats behind the pitcher either.. heh!… That damned Umpire would get in the way… so says someone who is ‘cheap’. … hummpf!
5:39 pm on May 21st, 2010
Guys!… We have a ‘newbie’, name of Nan!… snort!… (way up thare)..Lets not try to scare her off please… sniff!… Nan, so glad you stopped by and left a post!… gruff!… Tell us a little bit about your wee self, if you are so inclined, please? … wheeze!
5:51 pm on May 21st, 2010
Rio, Nan has a web site. Very nice. Reminds me of the Kats' Staff.
6:00 pm on May 21st, 2010
Wow!…Nan’s blog is just the relaxing place I need to go sometimes!…snort!…I hope she comes back…gosh!… Her photography is really amazing too!… cough!…We need that Nan around here!…yup!… I hope her post was not just a one off! … sob!… We’ve added it to our Faves…heh!
6:09 pm on May 21st, 2010
Hi Nan! I'm glad to have you here because that means I'm no longer the newby! Hah!
Well, I wish I could tell you more about the Blurring thing. Truth be told, I didn't know I could Blur until I met y'all.
For beginners, Blurring is all about speed. Definately not a newf strength. But now that I am more of an expert, I have learned that is really more of a metaphysical activity. In it's purest form, it means deconstructing one's cells and then bringing them back together in a different location. Whoa! Talk about fun!!! It's hard to explain, but it's not unlike Franklin's ability to disappear by hiding his head. There are many facets of Blurring, but trust me, it can be very handy, especially during missions.
AK – I was wondering where the heck you've been!! Mom wants to know what's new and exciting at Market! She is envious. If she knew how to Blur, then she would come visit.
Jasper, remember that we have some Young and Innocents on board. And with Megan in charge, Lexi could easily be led astray. I wonder if Megan is boy crazy yet. I hope not. Kids grow up way too fast these days. Just ask my boys!
My gut tells me that Foster is being disloyal to Albie in some manner. (Not that I would blame him. Not one bit.) My gut is also telling me that it is time for a Snack. Chicken jerky!
(psst- I think we should wake up Rio bright and early tomorrow. That'll teach him for drinking too much!)
6:10 pm on May 21st, 2010
Hmmm!…. I know there has to be ‘security’ and I am damned glad of it!… sniff!… but sometimes posts get overlooked because of the time delay… cough!…as in the case of ‘Nan’…gasp!…Luckily I was scrolling around for some strange reason and saw her post… Way Up Thare!… wheeze!… She seems a very interesting entity.. and I hope she comes back here again… gruff!
Nan!… Come Back!…yeep!
6:12 pm on May 21st, 2010
Initial trials of three legged Blurring were not a complete success. I will continue the experimentation.
6:15 pm on May 21st, 2010
Nan, Welcome and come back!
6:18 pm on May 21st, 2010
Dang. Foster stole my bling AGAIN!! What's up with that?
6:18 pm on May 21st, 2010
Well!… So much for ‘Not Trying’ to scare off our newbie friend. ….snort!.. Thanks Wolfie!.. Really?… blurring right off the bat?… sigh.
6:24 pm on May 21st, 2010
SNORT!!… Good night… and and…grrrr!. Blurring is blurring my vision right now… Grrrrr!
11:20 am on May 23rd, 2010
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Anna Dorfman, ChetTheDog. ChetTheDog said: One Paw In The Air: “Yeah,” said Bernie, “I brought money.” Foster stuck out his hand. “Let’s have it.” Bernie sho… http://bit.ly/cH5pBU […]