Long-awaited `Mabel’ sequel finally arrives> Canine heroine contends with four-pawed sibling

MABEL TAKES A SAIL, written by Emily Chetkowski and illustrated by Dawn Peterson, J.N. Townsend Publishing, Exeter, N.H., 2000, paperback, 45 pages, $10.50.

Two years ago I fell in love with a spunky little Tibetan terrier. In “Mabel Takes the Ferry,” the canine heroine left home alone when her humans went sailing, took matters into her own paws and embarked on quite an adventure. That book left me awaiting the promised sequel. And now it’s here! “Mabel Takes a Sail” more than lives up to my expectations.

Along with owner and author Emily Chetkowski’s children, Mabel has done a lot of growing up since the last book. Suddenly she has a new four-pawed sibling to teach the ropes to. Maxine, a young border collie, does not respect seniority. She delights in ambushing Mabel, bouncing on her, and chewing her ears. She also chases other kinds of critters and steals any objects she takes a fancy to.

Recalling those early days when the family first got Maxine, Chetkowski commented, “Mabel was always the star. Maxine was always in trouble. She had such boundless energy.”

Mabel has become quite a pro at sailing. She’s thrilled when she sees her people putting her life jacket in their car. But the sight of another dog’s gear being packed dampens her enthusiasm.

“Poor Mabel,” Chetkowski writes in the book. “She had adjusted well to having two children in the family. In fact, she really adored the kids, but having Maxine around was just too much. Sometimes Mabel tried to teach her the difference between right and wrong, and how to be a good dog. It was quite a chore.”

On this sail Mabel has her work cut out for her. Maxine, who has never been on a boat other than the island ferry, is dangerously clueless when it comes to water safety rules. From the moment Maxine slips her collar and manages to capsize the dinghy before they even set paw on the sailboat, Mabel must be a vigilant chaperone. Their adventures will delight animal lovers.

Dawn Peterson’s illustrations have beautifully captured the spirit of mischievous Maxine and faithful Mabel. And their fur is so wonderfully textured. After a dunk Maxine looks like she will be wet to the touch. When Mabel’s locks are wind-blown, an ocean breeze is palpable. A palette of light blue and shades of gray adds to the seaside atmosphere.

When Chetkowski acquired Mabel as a newly weaned puppy she gained more than she’d bargained for. Mabel unleashed the writer in her. She became adept at telling her own children Mabel stories. The ferry incident convinced her to share her beloved pet with a larger audience.

After the publication of “Mabel Takes the Ferry,” Mabel became a celebrity. She was the center of attention especially on school visits where she was petted by hundreds of children. Chetkowski, who is writing the third book in her series about Mabel’s rise to fame, found that her star status didn’t go to her head.

“She was made for the limelight,” said Chetkowski. “But she was still humble. She didn’t make a lot of demands.”

Sadly, after 14 years of faithful companionship, Mabel died of old age. Although Chetkowski has adopted a look-alike dog, she deeply misses Mabel. She feels her loss keenly when she visits places that hold memories of Mabel. But she has discovered that her stories really help her cope. And she finds the children she visits at schools eager to share memories of their own departed pets.

With many joint and individual projects in the planning and work stages, Chetkowski and Peterson will keep their faithful readers content for some time to come. I promise to keep you up to date.