Bruno and the Break-In

Thump. Thump. Bruno’s ears perked up. Thump. Thump. There it was again! He slowly climbed out of his dog bed and went to investigate.

First, he checked on the kids, Lucas and Charlotte. Good They were sound asleep.

Next, he crept downstairs. He checked all the rooms, but he couldn’t find anything.

H’mm. Must have been my imagination, Bruno thought. He crawled back into his bed and lay down. He had just closed his eyes then . . . thump. Thump. Bruno jumped out of bed. I know I heard something! he thought. He stood still and listened. Thump. Thump. It was coming from the office. Quietly he crept down the hall.

When he peeked around the corner, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Dad’s safe was standing wide open, and there was a man holding a stack of papers!

Bruno knew those papers were important. Once, he grabbed one to see what was on it. Dad had scolded him and made sure he never did it again. Bruno was pretty sure that this man couldn’t have those papers either.

The man turned and spotted Bruno. “Why, you mangy mutt!” he muttered and lunged for him. Bruno quickly jumped out of the way and began barking an alarm.

The man tried to run, but Bruno jumped at him, teeth bared, and snagged the man’s pantleg. There was a big RRRIP! as the jeans split.

Mom and Dad came running in. “Bruno boy, what’s the . . .” Mom’s eyes went wide as she took in the scene.

The man tried to escape through the open window, but Dad grabbed his arm and said, “Oh no, you don’t. You’re staying right here with us until the police get here. Then you’re going with them.”

When the police got there, they learned that the burglar had been going around the city, taking things such as cash, jewelry, and personal information from people. They hadn’t been able to catch him until now. Now they would be able to return the stolen goods.

Everybody was grateful to Bruno, and he became known as Bruno, Protector of the City.