In a quiet little cul-de-sac, where the houses curve like a smile, there lives a small dog with a big job -

His name is Tater.

Tater is a mix of a Jack Russell terrier and a Corgi, which means he has short legs and a tail so tiny it looks like a bee stinger!

But don't let his size fool you...Tater is an investigator! 

"The greatest in the neighborhood", he often says, puffing out his chest. 

Every morning, Tater patrols the cul-de-sac as if it's his territory . You might say it's his "Tater-tory". He sniffs every yard, examines every blade of grass and keeps a careful eye on suspicious squirrels.

But one morning something unusual happened. Tater sat at the upstairs window, nose pressed to the glass...

No Chance!

Chance was Tater's best friend - a big, friendly dog who looked like some kind of Irish Setter mix, with floppy ears and a tail that wagged like a windshield wiper. And Chance had a talent  - he could escape!

Every now and then Chance would mysteriously appear at Tater's house, as if by magic. And it just so happened that Tater's owner always had treats.

Coincidence?!

Tater didn't think so!

But today...Chance was missing. 

Tater narrowed his eyes...

Clue #1  The Empty Yard

Tater trotted outside, his tiny tail giving determined wiggles. He sniffed along the sidewalk. 

Sniff....sniff...

"Aha!" , Tater barked.  There it was - a faint, but unmistakable scent trail !

Chance had been here!

But the trail didn't lead toward Tater's house like usual. It went the other way.

Curious...Very curious! 

Clue #2 - The Squirrel Witness

At the corner of the cul-de-sac sat Mr. Nibbles, the neighborhood squirrel.

He was known for two things:

1)Stealing snacks

2)Watching everything

Tater approached slowly.

"Mr. Nibbles", Tater said in his most official voice, "did you see a large floppy-eared dog pass through here this morning?". 

Mr. Nibbles twitched his fluffy tail.

"Maybe I did ", he chattered. "Maybe I didn't."

Tater squinted.

"I'll trade you information....for a cracker."

A deal was struck...

Crunch, crunch.

"Yes", said Mr. Nibbles, "Your friend ran that way- fast! Like he was chasing something."

"Or being chased", Tater muttered.

The plot thickened...

Clue #3 - The Mysterious Smell

Tater followed the trail farther than he ever had before.

Around the bend....

Past the neighborhood park....

All the way to a yard he didn't usually visit. 

And that's when he smelled it...Treats!

Not just any treats....Delicious treats!

Tater's ears perked up.

"Oh no", he gasped, "A rival treat supplier!"