Runaway Retriever (Pet Trouble #1)

Parker and his older sister lived with their dad. Since she was leaving for college, his sister thought a dog would be just the thing to keep the guys from getting lonely. It didn't take long for Parker to discover that Merlin was more than a cheerful, energetic golden retriever -- he was an escape artist! The baby gate in the kitchen was easy to conquer -- he just jumped over it. But then he learned how to release the latch on the back yard gate, and even figured out how to escape from doggie day care! The assistant principal is upset because every time Merlin escapes, he comes running to school to find Parker, and a cheerful, tail-wagging golden dog is just the thing to disrupt all the students. How can Parker teach his dog to stay? This is the first in a series of delightful dog books for middle-graders. Some are more girlie stories than others -- see my reviews. (Loudest Beagle On The Block (Pet Trouble), Mud-Puddle Poodle (Pet Trouble),Bulldog Won't Budge (Pet Trouble)) Kids with or without dogs of their own will love Merlin's escapades. The themes of friendship and family support are also positives. Recommended for boys or girls ages 9-12.