The Adventures of Milo and Otis Edit

A bog where skeleton trees

A cat.

A chorus of birds joined in. "Cat! Cat!"

A clam might be able to help him, but how does a dog talk to a clam?

A dream about Otis

A farm isn't exactly my lifestyle."

A place like none he'd ever seen before:

A young chicken who had scratched and pecked her way

After a whole day of traveling, Milo arrived at a brook.

After dark.

After goodbyes, Milo reflected on the family he'd stayed with.

After his box got stuck there, he ran.

After some consideration,

Ah, he was sure Otis would never be able to find him this time.

Ah, he'd never be able to swim to shore.

Ah!

All the animals all around the countryside

Almost frozen,

Almost the moment he was asleep.

Although he'd certainly keep on the lookout for another of those

And a blast of icy wind

And a chilly wind was whipping across the countryside.

And a familiar form appeared in the window.

And a few quietly plotted revenge.

And about the time his mother left him

And above all, I must keep absolutely silent."

And after the whole group was gathered together,

And all the hens left in a clucking flurry

And all the puppies and kittens began to get to know each other.

And all together they'd travel back to the farm.

And be prepared for the dreams.

And began swimming.

And continued on to the river.

And cried out for joy

And cries in the night.

And decided to follow the road and see where it would take him.

And faster.

And follow me back home."

And found him again.

And growls

And he began burying his lunch

And he began to wish he was home.

And he came to a forbidding place,

And he didn't even look back.

And he felt awfully lonesome without Otis,

And he heard mysterious hoots

And he remembered he was far away from his farm.

And he tried another spot.

And he was drifting farther and farther from home.

And he was feeling safe at last,

And his mother had to go after him.

And how they used to play together when they were young.

And it came tumbling down from the trees.

And just when the bear almost had him…

And Milo and Joyce had their kittens.

And Milo knew somehow he was going to have to outsmart this bear.

And Milo slipped off to another hiding place.

And Milo started remembering

And Milo was asleep within moments.

And Milo's dreams began

And Milo's mouth watered

And never yell at her kittens.

And now, if he just kept going,

And on this glorious spring day,

And one of them was perching on a familiar wooden box.

And Otis came up with a much more sensible plan.

And Otis trailing behind.

And Otis, for the very first time in his rather serious life,

And Otis… Otis felt his strength renewed.

And outside, Milo and Otis suddenly remembered:

And over the noise, the pig yelled,

And said to himself, "What am I doing?

And saw only a solitary black feather.

And see the world beyond the barn.

And seeing old friends.

And so, of course, did the raccoon who stole the fish.

And spring wasn't that far off.

And that was "please."

And the bear, knocked silly,

And the bird flew away, cackling.

And the deer took Milo to a soft, mossy spot

And the deer was teaching her fawn to frolic.

And the fish were locked in solid ice.

And the next morning, he woke up and thought,

And the puppies grew even faster.

And the raccoon wanted it.

And the river took Milo farther downstream.

And the table manners of this family

And the three travelers began the journey back to the farm.

And the two families saw each other for the first time.

And the water was growing higher.

And then came a dream that was very sad.

And then it happened.

And then, once on the ground,

And there'd been times he'd looked a lot better too.

And they waited for Otis.

And though a chill wind was blowing outside,

And though he was a little scared, Milo still followed the cries for help.

And wait until spring.

And watched the fox run over the horizon.

And we'll bound and leap, like a gentle breeze.

And where no creature could live,

And with that, the fox jumped away laughing

As evening was falling,

As long as he doesn't… Oh, no!"

As soon as he could walk,

As the kittens grew, Milo soon noticed

As usual, Milo got into trouble.

At first, Otis was exasperated.

At first, they were a little…

At that moment, Milo was teasing a crab

At the shore…

Aww. Oh."

Bears, snakes, even seagulls!"

Because Milo, one of her kittens,

Because that was Gloria talking,

Because the river was beginning to move faster…

Because, finally, they were back together.

Before something happens."

Began acting very silly.

Bigger and tastier:

Bound and leap, like a zephyr set free.

Bound and, of course, leap."

Bound with me through fields of clouds," the deer sang.

Brought the usual string of gawkers…

But a lot of the other animals were awakened

But all at once…

But as the cold weather dragged on,

But at least he came to shore near a shack that looked warm and safe.

But at least he finally found out that he is a chicken."

But he didn't answer.

But he looked again.

But he was wrong again.

But how was he going to reach them way up there?

But it wasn't Otis' voice at all.

But Milo was determined.

But Milo wondered if it was really worth the trouble.

But Milo… Ah. Ooh. He was swept away by the river.

But Milo's attention was focused somewhere else.

But now, it was the end of a long day

But Otis found him there too.

But Otis had a bigger problem than rude clams.

But perhaps in the air.

But sleeping in that nest

But someone did.

But something did.

But suddenly, up above a seagull screamed,

But that approach would not last very long,

But that didn't work either. Otis just couldn't swim fast enough

But that was all behind them. Now they were bursting with joy

But that was the way it was done at mealtime in this particular family.

But the bird just ignored him.

But the bitter, cold weather had frozen over the fishing hole.

But the box was drifting right towards the hungry animal.

But the mood was very different up in the hayloft.

But the raccoon wasn't the only one interested in Milo's fish.

But then he began thinking about Sondra and the puppies.

But then he saw her.

But then the mother pig squealed,

But then…

But then…

But this is a major day for me because…

But this time, someone got the best of Milo.

But unfortunately much too soon. The bear saw what was in that box.

By all that scurrying overhead.

By myself."

By the time the moon rose,

Came as quite a surprise to Milo.

Caught in the same storm.

Climbing out of the pit was impossible.

Come on," said Milo.

Darting back into a drawer.

Do something, and quick. Otis, come on."

Do you understand? You're a chicken, not a dog. A chicken."

Dreams will surely come."

Eager to meet the cats they'd heard so much about.

Everyone understand?"

Except for the activity up in the hayloft,

Except for the dreaded Deadwood birds.

Feeling pretty hungry, he immediately wondered,

Finally, just as Joyce said, they came to a river.

Finally, Otis arrived,

First, a sweet dream about being back on the farm…

For one happy moment, he thought he was home

For the puppies, for dogs everywhere!

From the Deadwood Swamp to the fox's meadow.

Gloria had a good reason for wanting to be alone.

Grew without leaves or branches,

Had just given birth to her first litter.

He and Sondra kept on romping through the drifts,

He barked loudly to announce that there was a hungry dog outside.

He began to wish he'd never jumped into this box

He began wandering to the edge of the hayloft.

He climbed down the tree

He didn't know when he would ever see it again.

He drifted on through the darkness,

He even remembered the day he met Otis.

He figured out how he could catch one.

He forced himself up on his paws,

He got a little wet

He had to get out of there.

He had trailed Milo

He heard a call for help coming from somewhere.

He jumped on top of the dresser. The bear came closer.

He knew he had to rescue Milo, so he ran alongside the river,

He made up his mind to follow the wood and iron road.

He marveled at this road made of wood and iron

He ran from those birds as quickly as he could.

He ran up on the riverbank, leading the bear away from Milo. It worked.

He remembered a pond where he'd seen a bear

He remembered there was one magic word everyone understood

He saw in the distance an animal that he thought might be helpful.

He settled down and watched the sun set,

He surveyed the scene and he knew sometimes a dog's gotta do

He then decided to skip the whole thing.

He thought he'd be a lot safer hiding at the top of a tree.

He took a deep breath, but just when he was ready to dive in…

He trailed the fox, waiting to see just what was on his lunch menu.

He was beaten down by the storm. He had to rest.

He was running along the riverbank in hot pursuit.

He was the first to start calling out for food.

He would have thought differently if he'd known who lived in the shack.

He'd had enough of rummaging through drawers after a cat.

He'd have to try to swim.

He'd lost track of Otis now,

Heading towards the voice in the woods.

Hello in there."

Help!

Her.

Here we go. Oof! God."

Hey, down here!

Hey!

Hey! All right, everyone quiet.

His paws were numb from the cold.

His trip down the river wasn't fun any more.

Hoping to find the morning

I don't see any rivers around here."

I mean it, punk!" Otis growled.

I mean, don't you know I came out here to save you?"

I mean, friendly and kind. Just a nice bunch of pigs."

I think it's too short

I'll help you. I'll pull you in by your nose.

I'm a dog."

I'm frolicking. You see?"

I'm going over the mountains

I'm the night bird, and that is a dreaming nest."

I've really missed you."

In a small but comfortable cave.

In fact, Milo was nowhere near the Deadwood Swamp.

In the chilly, misty night.

In the water, he could see some delicious looking trout.

In the water, Milo could see the reflection of the moon.

It had turned into something lonely and frightening.

It looked bad for Otis.

It seemed so real.

It seemed to be trembling as much as he was

It seemed to Milo she yelled a lot.

It was a cry for help from down on the ground.

It wasn't easy fooling a dog's nose.

It worked.

It's a boy! It's a boy! It's a boy!"

It's Otis, Jr.! I'm a father! I'm a father! Oh, ha!

Join the other chickens.

Joyce and Milo seemed to get friendlier and friendlier. Heh.

Joyce finally said yes.

Joyce knew where a river flowed through these woods,

Joyce was making preparations.

Keep an eye on it, Otis, while I spread the word."

Kicking up snow and disturbing some of the more

Knowing that he had to go on for Sondra,

Looking to dig up some scandal.

Making sure to keep his teeth tightly clenched.

Maybe he could jump off the bridge into the box if he hurried.

Maybe he had some hidden away. Heh.

Maybe he'd be lucky and find some fish there.

Maybe he'd finally find the friend he missed so much.

Maybe Milo was having a terrific time, but Otis was pretty scared.

Maybe someone could help him find a safe place to rest for a while.

Maybe someone like…

Maybe you don't realize it, Milo,

Mean, fighting dog, like this."

Milo and Joyce knew they'd have to find shelter in the woods

Milo and Otis became best friends.

Milo and Otis grew big enough to play outside by themselves.

Milo and Otis led the way down the road.

Milo and Otis went to see what all the commotion was about.

Milo brought out his new family.

Milo called for help, even though he knew it was useless.

Milo caught one.

Milo climbed out of the sea, feeling salty, wet and cold,

Milo could almost hear Otis' voice.

Milo could feel the tips of his claws.

Milo couldn't believe what he saw. Could it really be Otis?

Milo crept slowly down the tree

Milo decided the safest place to spend the night would be in a tree.

Milo had a plan. They would find the river

Milo had ducked just in time.

Milo had it all worked out.

Milo had some new hiding places he couldn't wait to try out.

Milo hid as an owl swooped down and carried off a field mouse.

Milo kept drifting along, but he was getting a little concerned

Milo kept himself well hidden.

Milo knew he wouldn't have a chance against the bear on the ground,

Milo knew just how to get his paws on a big

Milo ran until he came to an open meadow

Milo saw a farm on the riverbank.

Milo tried a harder spot.

Milo tried to duck low in the box so the bear wouldn't see him.

Milo tried to figure this out and said,

Milo tried to hide, but the bear smelled the cat right away,

Milo wanted just one more look at that weird animal.

Milo was afraid the bear would be back.

Milo was all right, except for being wet.

Milo was always with Joyce and hardly paid any attention to him.

Milo was safe, but never did get his lunch.

Milo was several miles from the beach

Milo wasn't really worried until he lost sight of Otis.

Milo watched as the kittens got bigger every day.

Milo went to say goodbye to his friend

Milo woke up and, forgetting all about the screech owls,

Milo, far away,

Milo, meanwhile,

Milo's fur was beginning to dry off

Naturally, the sight of a dog and a cat watching an egg

Never.

Nevertheless, as if they knew how much they would need each other,

Next time the tide comes in, I'll have to rescue somebody else.

No sense taking chances with a lovely meal like this."

Nobody would hear him out here.

Noisy animals.

Not by a long shot.

Now and then, he saw some eyes flashing among the trees.

Now dry yourself off, like this:

Now he found himself in a burning valley.

Now he was going to pull the whole shack apart.

Now Milo needed a brilliant idea.

Now Milo was plenty tired.

Now Otis began to understand what had come over Milo.

Now the bear was raging mad.

Now the water was up to his paws.

Now, here's a little hint."

Now, you must never, never go too close to the edge of the dock.

Of hard traveling.

Oh, dear, back to sea."

Oh, would it ever be like this again?

Oh! Ha, ha!

On the first warm day, just as planned,

On the forest floor.

Once again trying to speak softly.

Once again, they tried to make the mixed up chick

One of the barn puppies.

Ooh, much better."

Or the puppies will get it!" his mother yelled.

Otis and Sondra faced a serious problem.

Otis dried off and came back to settle the score with that…

Otis followed the river until it flowed into the wetlands

Otis fought his way through the snow,

Otis had never seen such ridiculous behavior.

Otis had not given up his chase,

Otis knew he was on the right track.

Otis knew he'd have to go out and find some.

Otis knew his family would love to have these fish,

Otis laid down in the snow, ready to give up.

Otis led the charge, and the puppies ran towards the kittens,

Otis prepared himself and peeked in the box

Otis resumed his search for Milo.

Otis started following his trail immediately

Otis took the egg watching assignment very seriously.

Otis was all right, but he was sure

Otis was feeling pretty rotten about the way the trip was going.

Otis was having a little trouble getting his puppies organized.

Otis was in his cave with Sondra,

Otis was not so lucky.

Otis was only gone a few days

Otis was outraged.

Otis wasn't sure what this turtle wanted.

Ow, my leg is caught," the pig cried.

Phew. It looked bad, but Milo had one last plan.

Phew. Otis had a feeling there was trouble ahead.

Please, don't walk on the chickens."

Please, somebody help me! Oh. Ow!

Pretty soon, he had another chance for a meal.

Pretty soon, it was the beginning of a big day for Milo.

Proper neighbors.

Quiet!"

Really, deep down inside, we're all cats, right?"

Remember, you're eating for eight now."

Safe from those screech owls.

Scoop up some fish through a hole in the ice.

Sensing this fox wasn't gonna be any help.

She and Otis decided to stay there until spring.

She showed Milo to the cool water of a forest pool.

She was determined to be a good mother

Signaled the start of a winter storm.

Sleep was not possible.

So he marched up to a clam hole and said,

So Milo and Otis made an agreement.

So Otis made a decision.

So settle down in the nest, dear cat,

So she led the way, with Milo by her side

Some fool gets stuck out here."

Some of them just accepted it.

Some strange noises brought Milo out of the henhouse.

Some were pretty annoyed.

Sometime later, during the last weeks of the long winter,

Sondra had been spending the winter

Soon his dry rock would be underwater.

Stumbled on an excellent hiding place. Ha, ha.

Stumbled out of the shack, wondering what hit him.

Stumbled upon a road that looked clear and safe.

Suddenly he heard something moving in the bushes.

Suddenly Otis started swimming away

Suddenly, one chicken's voice rang out:

Tasty muskrat lunch.

That afternoon, the winter sun was warm enough to melt the snow

That bear is 10 times my size."

That carried him away and follow it back home.

That one of them was turning out to look just like him.

That same day, not too far away,

That the rock Otis had been sitting on

That was waddling through the farmyard.

That, uh, thing.

That's Francois, and the one on the end is Suzette."

The beach was far and the water was rough.

The bear followed him and forgot all about

The bear reached for Milo with an open, hungry mouth.

The chick didn't like the sound of this at all.

The chick dried itself off, looked at Otis and cheeped:

The clouds were getting darker and darker

The Deadwood Swamp.

The egg!

The farm cat

The farm was pretty quiet that morning.

The first animal Milo met outside of his family was Otis,

The following day, the henhouse was in an uproar.

The fox felt someone watching him.

The fox who hid the muskrat now had a cub.

The frog was right.

The ground was hot and the smoke made his eyes sting.

The iron road led Milo to a meadow of wild cotton blossoms.

The kittens were now big enough to leave the hayloft

The months passed, and the farm was humming

The noise attracted a group of local snoops

The noise upstairs didn't disturb the dogs that slept in the barn.

The orange cat in the floating box.

The other animals told Otis he'd better take the chick to Gloria, and quickly,

The pig's family squealed with joy when they saw him return.

The pigs offered Milo a place to sleep.

The river had carried Milo deep into the forest.

The road that would take them home.

The road that would take them to the place where their lives had begun.

The seagulls were pecking him, hurting him.

The storm finally died down, but Otis had no idea where he was.

The tide came in so fast

The time was drawing near.

The trouble with guarding an egg is you have to always be on guard.

The whole business was a little too messy for any cat to take.

The wind was stinging his face like needles.

The winter suddenly seemed warmer.

Then came Otis.

Then in the distance, he saw a sign of hope.

Then Otis barked, "Hey! Hey!

Then Otis saw a bridge up ahead.

There was only one way for Milo to escape.

There was too much winter left and too little food.

They battled over the trout until the bear caught sight of something

They could sleep through anything.

They followed it upstream, hoping to see something familiar.

They may be sad or frightening or beautiful,

They ran to the cat cries and Milo was suddenly breathless.

They took a cozy winter home in a tree trunk.

They were waiting for him back in the cave, depending on him.

They'd meet in the spring with their families

This one is Jean Pierre.

Those cows were all strangers

To a beach full of clam holes.

To free the pig's foot.

To keep up his spirits, he began singing a dog marching song.

To the top rung of the henhouse.

Too late!

Towards the desperate cry.

Traveling through the snow would be too dangerous.

Trying to keep up, and without much success.

Under a fresh, bright sky

Until he looked at what was right outside.

Waiting just around the bend.

Wanna come in?

Was completely surrounded by water.

Was it Otis? Definitely not.

Was trouble from the very beginning.

We can't start playing games with the egg. Now, just leave it alone."

Well, maybe you don't realize that this is the day I've become a watchdog."

Well, perhaps not, but even if this creature wasn't food,

Were bringing their young out into the sunshine.

What a dog's gotta do.

What a life."

What was all this about?

What would happen to them if he never returned?

When daylight came,

When he saw the fox holding a plump, juicy muskrat.

When he was a little kitten back on the farm.

When Otis was just sitting on the dock, wasting time…

When the first snowstorm of winter interrupted the journey.

Where he figured no one would ever be able to find it.

Where he saw a kind of animal he'd never seen before.

Which drawer has the cat?

Which he did. But the chick kept coming back to Otis.

Which was exactly what Milo wanted to hear.

While Otis trudged through the snow, continuing on his way.

Who still had some breakfast on his face.

Who was heavy with puppy.

Will have his sleep flooded with dreams," the bird said.

With a doting babysitter.

With the sounds of summer.

Wondering what sorts of creatures would begin stirring…

Would he ever see Otis again?

Yeah, the cat that saved me."

You can stop frolicking now," the deer cooed.

You should be safe there till dinnertime," the fox said.

You two follow the river.

Your cruddy egg," the hedgehog grumbled.

Your singing stinks. Will you quit it?

"Aha." He thought of a place where Otis could never sniff him out.

"Ahem.

"Ahh, God.

"All of you, back on the dock," she ordered.

"All right, be careful," his mother ordered,

"All right, hold on!" Otis growled,

"All right. I'm not going to yell," his mother said.

"All right."

"All this just for a lunch?" Milo thought to himself.

"And six more to come, Milo. Heh, Heh. Yeah."

"And that bird, he'll be back."

"And what are you doing up here?" a strange bird said to Milo.

"And, Milo, I've told you again and again,

"Are you sure you know where we're going?" Otis asked.

"Are you sure you know where we're going?" Otis said. "Huh?

"Breakfast!"

"But it's a safe place,

"Can't we swim back?" Milo asked. "That was fun. Ha, ha."

"Cat! Cat! There's a cat near the babies!"

"Cat's in the can!" Otis shouted.

"Climb it!" Otis barked.

"Close call," said Milo, poking his head up.

"Come back here, Milo!" she yelled.

"Come on, just reach in and grab me!

"Come on, Otis!" Milo called out.

"Come on, Otis!" Milo called out.

"Come on, peck him away! Peck him away from the nests!"

"Come on," said the cat.

"Come on!"

"Did you hear about Gloria?"

"Did you try climbing out?"

"Do you think we can eat it?"

"Do you think you can follow me back to the shore?"

"Does this nest belong to you? I didn't know."

"Don't be a fool, Otis. Stay with us."

"Don't worry," Otis barked. "I'll get you out somehow."

"Don't worry!" Otis barked. "I've got another idea."

"Eh, yes," Milo meowed.

"Every time the tide comes in

"Excuse me, please.

"Excuse me," Otis called out, "I'm looking for a friend of mine."

"Follow me.

"Freeze!" Otis barked.

"Frolic with me, friend. Come, frolic. Frolic."

"Grab the end," Otis shouted.

"Ha ha ha. You want me to kick it back to you, Otis?" Milo asked.

"Ha, ha. Quick, jump in! This'll be fun!" Milo shouted. Otis didn't know what to do.

"Ha! Are you all right?" Otis asked.

"Ha! You call that a tail? This is a tail. Ha ha ha."

"Have you known him long?" Joyce asked.

"He deserved it," the frog croaked.

"He still deserved it."

"Hello, someone there?" the fox called.

"Hello. I'm Joyce."

"Hello. Who's there?

"Here, let me show you a place where we can rest."

"Here's what you've got to do. You've got to be a rough, tough,

"Hey, cat, nice fish," the raccoon said.

"Hey, could you cut that out?" Milo said.

"Hey, he's my friend," Otis said.

"Hey, Mom, here comes the cat!

"Hey, Otis.

"Hey, this is great. Come on! Hurry up, Otis! Come with me."

"Hey, where are you going, Otis?"

"Hey!

"Hiding from the screech owls, I suppose."

"Hmph. Thanks, nothing.

"How can you be a dog? You have no tail."

"How does he do that?" Milo wondered.

"How long do we have to stick around this henhouse?"

"I certainly do. Look."

"I finally fooled you!"

"I gave them all French names.

"I have an idea," Otis said.

"I haven't got time," Otis said,

"I hope it's the right one," Milo said.

"I hope that turns out to be a kitten," thought Milo.

"I know I put it around here somewhere," the fox said.

"I mean, uh, kittens," Milo yelled.

"I must be very careful," Milo thought.

"I must make sure I stay out of sight.

"I save someone just about every month. Did you know that?"

"I say, look, do you want a ride back to shore or not?

"I think I'm a little tuckered out," Milo said.

"I told you, I'm not your mommy," Otis said again and again.

"I… I don't know.

"I… I… I can't dig out. It's solid ice."

"I… I… I think so," Milo said.

"I'd rather go alone."

"I'll bet that one's gonna be trouble," Milo thought.

"I'll miss him. I'll miss him.

"I'll never forget those waterfalls. I told you she'd do it! Otis! Otis!"

"I'm a dog, of course," Otis answered.

"I'm just glad you're all right.

"I'm looking for someone to play with," the fox said.

"I'm Sondra," she said. "Who are you?"

"Is it going to be soon?"

"Is she staying at home with it or is she going back to work?"

"Is that something you can eat?"

"It is! It's a little girl kitten!"

"it's a litter! It's a litter!"

"It's too deep. See?" Milo said.

"Jeez," he thought, "no wonder they call them pigs."

"Joyce, come back with me to my farm."

"Joyce!"

"Joyce?"

"Just try something. Make my doggy day."

"Lighten up. I didn't touch

"Listen. What was that?" Otis said.

"Look at you. Are you all right?"

"Look in the box."

"Look what the blizzard blew in," Milo said.

"Look, this isn't funny," Otis said. "Gloria gave us a job to do."

"Milo, dear," his mother said, "that's not a good idea!"

"Milo, did you hear me?"

"Milo, finish your breakfast

"Milo, get back here," his mother demanded.

"Milo," Otis barked, "get out of there

"Milo," Otis said, "I… I… I think we're having a baby."

"Milo! Get over here!"

"Milo. Milo, I think it's time."

"Mommy, Mommy, ha, ha, Mommy, Mommy."

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy?"

"Mommy. Chicken mommy," the chick peeped, and ran to Gloria.

"Mommy."

"No, no, up here!" Milo yelled. "Up here!"

"No, Sondra. It's a French pronunciation."

"No," Otis said, "I didn't know that."

"No," said Otis, "I didn't know that."

"Now go back to Gloria.

"Now, do you know a place where we'd be safe?"

"Now, just stay on the shore, where you belong," the turtle grumbled.

"Now, listen carefully," Milo's mother said,

"Now, stop that!" Otis said. "I kicked it by accident.

"Oh, all right, a dog. I understand. But, um,

"Oh, boy.

"Oh, I did that already," Sondra replied.

"Oh, I'm not a cat. I'm a dog," Otis replied.

"Oh, it worked," Otis thought.

"Oh, Milo!" his mother said.

"Oh, no, I'm not your mommy," Otis said. "Your mommy's a chicken."

"Oh, not again," the sea turtle gurgled.

"Oh, not the old puss in boots trick," Otis groaned.

"Oh, the egg? So it finally happened."

"Oh, there it is!"

"Oh, well, time for lunch break anyway. Ha, ha."

"Oh, you'll love it!" Milo said. "They'll all love you. I love you."

"Oh!"

"Oh!" But he was too late. There was only one way to catch up with Milo now.

"Oh. Oh! It's Otis, Jr.!

"Oh. Oh. Aah!"

"Okay, but not for me. For my puppies."

"Okay, punk," Otis barked.

"Okay, puppy," Otis ordered. "Your turn. Give it a try. Give it a try."

"Okay, tough guy! Come and get me!" he shouted,

"Okay, you lot! Clear out! Clear out!"

"Okay, you want to be a dog?" Otis barked.

"Okay," Milo said. "Remember the way to breathe?"

"Okay. Okay, look, I've got it. I'm frolicking.

"Otis, it's your cat buddy. He's got the whole farm crazy.

"Otis, Otis, Otis, Otis. Come here, Otis," a frog croaked.

"Otis, where are you?" Milo shouted.

"Otis, where are you?" Milo shouted.

"Otis. I've never met a dog like you, Sandra."

"Perfect shot," Milo said, feeling pretty good.

"Poor cat. Cat so sad," the bird croaked.

"Probably rotten anyway."

"Right now. And behave while I'm gone. Milo! Milo, I'm coming!"

"She's smart too."

"Some seagull eggs might be tasty," Milo thought.

"Sorry, sorry," Milo said.

"Stay calm," Milo thought. "It's all right,

"Sure. The dock is right this way, and you've never seen the river.

"Surprise!" Milo shouted.

"Take it easy," said Milo, working quickly

"Thanks for saving me," Otis said.

"That cat has got to be kidding," muttered a nearby raccoon.

"The one you pulled out of the pit?" Francois asked.

"There it is, fellas," Gloria cackled. "My first egg.

"There's the box. Now, where's the cat?"

"These pigs are all right.

"This is the dock and down there is the river.

"This is your Uncle Milo," Otis said to his puppies.

"Too bad it's gonna be the one that got away."

"Touch that egg and you're dead meat!

"Trust me," said Joyce. Otis just growled.

"Uh, no," Otis barked. "No. Deep down inside, I'm a dog.

"Uh, Otis, you ran out a little too soon."

"Um, I'm… I'm not sure cats know how to bound," Milo said.

"Um, over here," whimpered a dog's voice.

"Um…

"Until Gloria comes back.

"Wait. What kind of animal are you anyway?"

"Wanna race me across the stream?"

"We did it!" Otis yelled, opening his mouth by mistake.

"We want to make it home before winter."

"Well, any minute now, Otis," Sondra whispered.

"Well, back with my family," said the pig. "Come with me."

"Well, dear cat, anyone sleeping there

"Well, I don't know. It just doesn't look right when I do it."

"Well, just let your heart lead and your feet will follow.

"Well, now you know. Get on."

"Well, who ever heard of eating seagull eggs anyway?"

"Well," said the turtle, "now you know. Heh.

"What do you mean?" Milo asked.

"What is it?" Otis said. "I'm supposed to be egg sitting."

"What was that?" he wondered. "It could've run right over me."

"What's too close?" Milo asked. "Is this? Is this too clo…? Oh! Ah!"

"Where are you?" Otis hollered.

"Who would eat something that looks like that?" Otis replied

"Woof," the chick peeped. "Woof, woof, Mommy."

"Wow, look at this thing, Otis," Milo said.

"Yeah, here, my precious muskrat.

"Yes, and it's not just any nest, I'll have you know.

"Yes, it is possible to over frolic," the deer murmured.

"Yes, this is the right river!" Milo cried out.

"You have no idea what I've been through.

"You have puppies? Me too."

"You have what?"

"You know," Otis said, "we really should think of names for them."

"You look hungry. How about some fish?"

"You look tired and thirsty," a deer whispered.

"You okay, Joyce?" Milo asked. "Want some more dinner?

"You saved mine."

"You're a strange looking cat," Milo said.

"You're a strange looking dog," Suzette said to Milo, Jr.

"You're dogs, we're cats," he replied.

"You're fine," Milo said.