CHAPTER 1
It was another warm, sunny summer day on Lake Minnetonka, near Minneapolis, when Dan decided to leave the family reunion picnic and walk on the beach with his trusty dog and friend, Rusty, the golden retriever.
The lake was crowded with people as the boy and his dog strolled along the lakeshore, watching everyone having fun swimming, splashing around, and playing in the water.
At this time of year Minnesota was brimming with wildlife. Geese returned from the south, ducks were plentiful, and beavers and muskrats were busy building dams.
Dan could also see people in the middle of the lake in small sailboats, kayaks, and canoes.
He watched them go by, and that's when he had an idea.
He wanted to take Rusty for a ride in a canoe, to enjoy the fabulous day on the beautiful lake.
As he looked farther down the shoreline he could see several empty canoes parked on the beach.
So he walked toward them and asked the owner if he could borrow one of the canoes to take his dog out on the lake for a quick ride.
The owner said, "Why, you betcha, son, but you will have to wear a life jacket and be really careful out there."
The owner helped Rusty climb onboard and then pushed the canoe into the shallow water.
Dan climbed into the canoe also.
Rusty sat in the canoe, looking regal.
For safety, Dan held on to the end of Rusty's leash.
Dan started paddling the canoe and they glided onto the lake.
As Dan paddled farther out on the lake, they passed many of the boaters Dan had seen earlier when he was onshore.
Both Dan and Rusty were enjoying the smooth ride.
Dan and Rusty were on the lake for several hours.
Dan started to get a little tired, so he began to turn the canoe around and head back to shore.
Just as the canoe turned around, Dan saw a great blue heron come swooping down toward them.
Frightened, Dan tried to shoo the bird away with his paddle, but as he did that he lost his balance and the canoe tipped over.
Both Dan and Rusty went kur-plop into the water. Luckily, when Dan hit the water he was able to hold on to Rusty's leash with one hand and the canoe with the other.