Patches, a talented Border Collie, teams up with his young owner John to outwit a cattle rustler in the old west. John is left in charge of his younger sister when his parents are called away on an emergency. When he finds a desperate outlaw in the kitchen, his only defense is a good story -- and Patches. Written by award-winning author Mark Niemann-Ross and illustrated in full color by David Brandt, children will love the surprise ending and make up their own stories about new tricks they might teach to Patches.