I Am Bella Star of the Show

  A lot can happen in a dog’s day.

  Bella is a Jack Russell terrier who was born to steal the show. She may be small, but her personality jumps off the screen. Bella has already appeared in commercials, and lately, she’s been practicing for what her owner says will be her big break.

  But when her time in the spotlight arrives, she’s asked to share the stage with her slobbery German shepherd brother, Chewy. And Bella finds out there’s more than one way to be a star.

  Albert Whitman & Co.

  More than 100 Years of Good Books

  www.albertwhitman.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  Jacket art copyright © 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company

  With love to my kind aunt and godmother, Patricia LaPrise. Your creativity has always inspired me!—CS

  To Lorenzo, Stefano, and Silvia. My favorite actors.—FR

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is on file with the publisher.

  Text copyright © 2020 by Catherine Stier

  Illustrations copyright © 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company

  Illustrations by Francesca Rosa

  First published in the United States of America in 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company

  ISBN 978-0-8075-1673-7 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-0-8075-1674-4 (ebook)

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Printed in the United States of America

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 LB 24 23 22 21 20

  Design by Rick DeMonico

  For more information about Albert Whitman & Company, visit our website at www.albertwhitman.com.

  Contents

  1.Two Dogs, One House

  2.Practice Makes Perfect

  3.Out of the Spotlight

  4.Doggy Dreams

  5.Star Treatment

  6.Mirror Image

  7.Best Buddies?

  8.Tipping Point

  9.To the Rescue!

  10.Two Stars, One Home

  About Actor Dogs

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Two Dogs, One House

  Something is up today. From the tip of my nose to the end of my tail, I can feel excitement in the house this morning. Chewy doesn’t seem to notice. He’s still curled up in his big doggy bed in the kitchen, snoring away. Typical.

  Chewy and I were both adopted years ago from the animal shelter by the Jameson family. I was a full-grown dog that no one else seemed to want when Mom, Dad, and their son, Aidan, brought me home. By breed, I am a Jack Russell terrier—mostly.

  I was adopted first, and I can tell you, I didn’t mind being the only dog in the house. A while later, the Jamesons brought home a German shepherd puppy. Even then, Chewy loved to sleep in, eat, and chew on things. That last part is how he got his name. When he was a pup, there were lots of ruined shoes around the house.

  And my name? Well, not to brag, but I’ve been told Bella means “beautiful” in some languages. I happen to think it’s a name that suits me just fine.

  When Chewy came to live with us, he was already bigger than me, and he just kept growing. I’m little, the smallest of my litter, but I’m very mature. Chewy still acts like a sloppy, silly puppy, even though he’s full-grown. We are just about as different as two dogs can be, but we have one thing in common: Mom calls us her “star dogs.” That’s because we work in what’s called show business—or showbiz, for short.

  Both Mom and Aidan are up early this morning. I’m guessing all the hustle and bustle means one of us dogs will be heading out to film with Mom today.

  “How about some breakfast, Bella? Then you and I can work on training a bit before I leave for school,” Aidan says as he comes into the kitchen.

  An early breakfast? Without Chewy? That’s fine with me. Maybe I’ll get to enjoy my food in peace. And I know that word training means lots of attention, treats, and praise. I’m on board with that too. I pick up the soft scrap of fabric Mom calls my blankie and prance in circles to show Aidan my happiness with his plans.

  As soon as Chewy hears the sound of food being poured into my bowl, though, he’s up and alert, and comes to check things out.

  “Okay, Chewy, you can have your breakfast too.” Aidan laughs as he fills Chewy’s bowl.

  Chewy does not prance prettily like me. He dives in and devours his food, sending nuggets bouncing from the bowl. Typical.

  I, on the other paw, drop my blankie and nibble neatly at my meal.

  Chewy and I get along all right, usually. But honestly, I don’t see why he gets to go on more filming jobs with Mom than me. I mean, he’s smart, I guess, but he’s also loud and messy sometimes and so immature.

  “Don’t take it personally, Bella,” Mom told me once as she left with Chewy. “It’s just that Chewy can play a police dog or guard dog. And lately, there have been lots of shows and movies filming here in Atlanta that call for big dogs.”

  “Your chance will come,” she added. “You’re pint-sized, but packed with personality!”

  Okay, I admit Chewy can look tough and heroic. But I still don’t get why I’m not cast more often. After all, Mom is right about my oversize personality. And I’m a triple threat: I’m cute, clever, and never miss a cue—or a command!

  Once I’m done with breakfast, I glance at Chewy. Of all the nerve! He has my fuzzy mouse toy clamped in his teeth! I march over and tug it out of his mouth.

  Play with your own toys, big guy! I think as I sashay away.

  Chewy doesn’t grumble. He just goes and finds one of his own big chew bones. As he should!

  Then Aidan calls me over to a corner of the kitchen.

  “Hey, Bella!” he says. “If we’re going to get our new trick right, and if I’m going to be a professional dog trainer like Mom someday, we both need plenty of practice.”

  Aidan has everything set up on the kitchen floor, ready to go. There’s a little toy saucer, a plastic teacup, and a cleanup rag. There’s a pitcher of cool water to refill the teacup. Also, Aidan has a handful of treats—I can smell them!

  I drop my mouse toy and prance in circles with excitement. I know what all this means. It’s time for me to show off my talents!

  Chapter 2

  Practice Makes Perfect

  I scurry over next to Aidan, who is standing near the toy teacup.

  First, Aidan says the word sit. That’s easy. I learned that ages ago. I let my rump fall to the floor, and Aidan makes a little noise with the clicker he holds in his hand. Whenever I hear the sound of the click, I know I’ve done the action right, and a reward is coming.

  What’s my favorite reward? Liver treats, definitely. Oh, and I love the cheerful sound of Aidan’s voice when he says, “Good doggy!”

  Aidan tosses me my treat, and I gobble it up.

  “Okay, Bella, now it’s time for our special trick,” says Aidan. “The one we’ve been working on all month. The one that will make you a star.”

  I know what’s about to happen, but I wait for the command.

  “Tip it,” says Aidan. I raise my paw just right, so it nudges the teacup. The cup overturns and water splashes on the tile floor. When I hear the click, I know I’ve aced it.

  “That’s it, Bella! That’s perfect!” Aidan speaks in his excited voice that makes me happy and wiggly all over, and he gives me my tiny treat. Then he mops up the water with the rag.

  I’m glad Aidan is so excited! It took me a while to perfect this particular action. I needed to learn what was expected first. I me
an, humans are usually upset when things get knocked over, right? But for some reason, this is exactly what makes Aidan the happiest.

  While Mom taught me other commands and movements, Aidan patiently worked with me on the tip-it trick before and after school each day. We started first with an action I already knew—how to lift one paw. As I put my paw toward Aidan’s hand, I sometimes hit the plastic teacup. Then I’d hear the click and get a treat.

  It didn’t take me long to figure out that knocking over this particular teacup was a good thing! Soon Aidan added the words tip it to our game. Now, whenever Aidan says those words, I know just what to do. I admit, it’s fun—but I still don’t know how making a mess will make me a star! Since it’s Chewy that gets all the roles, maybe I should practice looking fierce and growling on command instead.

  Aidan and I try our trick a few more times. Before long, Dad is up too. He grabs a cup of coffee and stops to watch us. It’s even better doing my trick with an audience! Then I get even more attention and “good doggy” praise!

  “Great job, son,” Dad says. I look up at Dad, and he laughs. “My apologies, Bella. Didn’t mean to leave you out. You are doing a fine job as well.”

  “I just hope Bella gets it right when it counts,” says Aidan. “Mom is helping me with my dog-training skills. This is the first time she’s trusted me to teach Bella a new trick for a filming job. I don’t want to let her down.”

  Don’t worry, Aidan! I think. I promise you can count on me when it matters most—whenever that is!

  “I’m pretty sure you both will make her proud,” Dad says.

  Aidan nods, refills the teacup, and is ready to start again when the doorbell rings.

  At first I figure it’s one of Aidan’s fifth-grade friends, arriving early to walk with him to the school bus stop.

  I do what I always do when I hear the doorbell. I jump up and trot toward the door. Chewy, the copycat, follows close behind.

  But I stop short and let out a bark when—my goodness—I see strangers on the porch!

  Mom throws opens the door.

  “Good morning! You are right on time,” she says in a cheerful voice to two smiling people.

  I wag my tail and greet our guests with a good-morning bark.

  No wonder Aidan and Mom were so excited all morning! They knew that new friends were coming over!

  Then I see that one of the new friends is holding a big, boxy thing on his shoulder.

  I’m enough of a showbiz dog to recognize a camera when I see it!

  Chapter 3

  Out of the Spotlight

  My human family and the people on the porch shake hands.

  “I’m Megan Wong, the reporter who contacted you,” the first human says.

  “And I’m Ed Mendoza. I’ll be working the camera. Thank you for inviting our news crew to your home.”

  News crew? I lean out and sniff these visiting humans. Chewy, though, hangs back. He is still a bit wary when it comes to new people. He doesn’t relax until he sees that Mom is happy to see these visitors.

  “You are both most welcome,” Mom says as she shows the news crew in.

  “Hello, Chewy and Bella.” The reporter crouches down, and Chewy and I offer our paws to shake.

  “I’ve heard all about you two. It’s an honor to meet such talented dogs,” she says.

  Dad excuses himself to leave for work, and Mom and Aidan lead the news crew to the kitchen.

  “I understand you’re a professional dog trainer,” the reporter says while the cameraperson fusses with some equipment.

  Mom nods. “Yes, I work at a dog-training school and also with these sweeties in my own home.”

  “They are sweet,” the reporter agrees. She looks adoringly at Chewy and me.

  Thanks for noticing, I think.

  As a light on the camera flashes on, the reporter asks Mom, “How did your dogs get their start in acting?”

  “My son and I decided it would be fun to work as extras in some of the shows and movies filming here in Atlanta,” Mom explains. “We’ve played customers in an ice-cream parlor and fans cheering at a football game. We had such a good time that I thought our dogs would like to be in movies and shows too. They love nothing better than showing off before an audience!”

  “Yes, I can see that they like attention,” says the reporter.

  “So I contacted an agency for animals that perform on film,” Mom says. “Turns out, both dogs have important qualities casting agents look for—they get along with other dogs and people, love to learn new things, and don’t get nervous around cameras and other equipment. Best of all, performing is all play to them.”

  I stare up at the reporter. Is that all this visitor is going to do? Sit around and talk with Mom? I thump my tail and pose prettily. But that reporter just keeps on talking. And not about me!

  “Chewy has become quite the celebrity since his last movie!” the reporter says. “And haven’t there been lots of German shepherds who have starred in films—like Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart and Ace the Wonder Dog?”

  “Yes, that’s true. German shepherds like Chewy have been in films since the silent movie days, playing both friendly and fearsome characters,” Mom says.

  Chewy whines and nudges the reporter, coaxing her to pet him. Humph! Now that Chewy has warmed up to our guests, he’s so impatient! But for some reason, the reporter doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, she laughs!

  “I have to say, I can’t imagine this charmer playing a tough guy,” she says.

  “Oh, he has quite a range. Would you like Chewy to show you what he can do?” Mom asks.

  Why is this all about Chewy? I think. I run over, pick up my blankie, and prance, but no one seems to notice.

  “Chewy, speak,” Mom says, and Chewy lets out some loud and fearsome barks.

  GRROUFF, GROUFF!

  Hey, I have a great bark too! I helpfully show off my bark.

  Erruf! Erruf!

  “And you may have seen Chewy do this trick in his latest movie, Strike Out,” Mom continues. “The film is about a pro baseball player, and Chewy plays his dog, Sport. In that movie, whenever the player gets discouraged about his career, Sport cheers him up this way. Aidan, you got this?”

  Aidan nods, grabs a baseball cap, and sets it on a chair. Then he gives a command: “Chewy, get the cap!”

  The camera is rolling as Chewy gently picks up the cap in his mouth. He brings it to Aidan, nuzzling his hand until Aidan takes the cap and puts it on.

  Ugh! Can’t anyone else see Chewy’s slobber on that hat?

  “Wow,” says the reporter. “That’s impressive!”

  That’s nothing, I think. Let me show you what I can do!

  I run to the teacup that’s still on the floor.

  Here I go, Aidan! It’s our special trick!

  I sit prettily next to the teacup, and with one dainty swipe of my paw, I tip it over. I wait for a response, but no one seems to notice. So I go big! I knock over the pitcher of water Aidan left on the floor, too, for good measure.

  Uh-oh!

  Now there’s water everywhere. The floor is slick and slippery, and the kitchen rug is soaked. And Aidan isn’t happy.

  “Oh, Bella!” he cries as he rushes over to mop up the mess.

  But those newspeople—they don’t even glance my way. They’re way too busy watching Chewy.

  After a few moments, I figure it’s no use. Obviously, it’s all about Chewy today.

  I slink away and settle myself in a corner with a big sigh.

  Aidan finishes mopping up my mess and leaves for school, but that news crew still doesn’t budge. They stay, talking and fussing over Chewy.

  I grumble a little to myself as I close my eyes.

  It’s a while later when the news crew finally packs up.

  “Thanks for agreeing to meet with us so early,” the reporter says. “We have a quick deadline on this one. We hope to have it edited and on tonight’s six o’clock news.”

  “Well, that was
fun,” Mom says to us after the door closes behind the visitors. “And I think you both impressed them. Now…are my two favorite star dogs ready to go do some film work today?”

  My ears perk up.

  Wait, what?

  Are both Chewy and I working with Mom today? That’s never happened before!

  Suddenly, this day is looking much brighter.

  Chapter 4

  Doggy Dreams

  Next thing I know, Mom is loading Chewy and me into our crates in her van so we can travel safely. I settle down for the ride.

  I am relieved that I wasn’t left home this time. I have so much fun going to do film work with Mom!

  As I rest in the rumbling van, I wonder if today will be like the first time Mom and I worked on filming something together. On that outing, I had the chance to really show off my stuff!

  For weeks before that day, we had daily practice sessions. Mom worked with me at the dog-training school and at home on a very different kind of trick. I learned how to bite on a T-shirt and hold it in my mouth as I hopped through things—a little hoop or a doggy door we have at home.

  On the first afternoon that we were trying out the trick, Aidan came home and looked surprised. “Is that my old tee shirt? What’s up?” he asked.

  I remember hearing excitement in Mom’s voice. “I got an email from the casting agency,” she said. “When I first signed Bella up, I told the agency about all her talents and habits—like how she pulls her blankie all around the house. Now an advertising firm is looking for a small dog to drag a shirt outside for a laundry-detergent commercial.”

  “Bella, you were born for this role!” Aidan said, scratching me behind my ears. “Who knew that prancing around with a blankie would be just the skill needed for your first job!”

  After we worked on that trick for a long time, Mom brought me early to a place I’d never been before.