✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

the Wonder Dog

TheAdventures of

Terry the Turtleand Gracie

Laurie Dent-Cleveland, AuthorLenore Doyle, Publication Design

Lori Heckman, Illustrator

George Crawford,Earthquake Program Manager

Barbara Everette Thurman,Public Education Coordinator

Copyright © 2001Washington State Military Department

Emergency Management DivisionAll rights reserved

Grades 3 - 6

2

Not so far off in the town of Shakeyvillelived Gracie the Wonder Dog and herbrother George. Shakeyville was a veryquiet town, nestled near the beautifulmountains in the state of Washington.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

3

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Shakeyville had a Mayor named Terry the Turtlewho was very concerned that all the citizens ofShakeyville be earthquake ready. You see,Shakeyville was in earthquake country andeveryone knew it wasjust a matter of timeuntil an earthquakewould shake theirlittle town.

4

Gracie and George had a wonderful friend namedAbbey who was their next-door neighbor. Nalalived across the street from Abbey. The four ofthem made up the Shakeyville Seismic Patrol.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

5

Gracie the Wonder Dog, George, Abbey and Nala caredvery deeply about what happened to the people inShakeyville. They volunteered at the ShakeyvilleElementary School to inform and teach the studentsabout Earthquake Preparedness.

6

Gracie knows how important it is to be prepared for anearthquake because she knows that Washington State isearthquake country. Gracie and the Seismic Patrol alsohelped other people in the community.

They accompanied Mayor Terry the Turtle to theShakeyville Community Center, the hospital, and otherplaces where people gathered to teach them aboutearthquake preparedness.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

7

One cold, crisp day, Gracie and the Seismic Patrol went tothe Shakeyville Elementary School. “Good morningeveryone!” Gracie said with excitement in her voice.“We are here today to teach you all how to be safe whenwe have an earthquake in Shakeyville.” Gracie told thestudents not to be scared of an earthquake, but to replacefear with preparedness.

8

Gracie explained that there is a lot they could do to maketheir classroom safe. Abbey asked the students to turntheir desks away from the windows. Nala talked abouttying and bolting things down, like computers, TVs andheavy objects that could fall and injure them.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

9

Gracie asked Mrs. Hillary to remove all the big boxesthat were up on the file cabinets so they wouldn’t falldown on the students. Mrs. Hillary began makingchanges to the classroom right away. All the studentshelped, except Wellington. He just sat in the chair andwatched.

10

The boys and girls in Mrs. Hillary’s class paid veryclose attention to the Seismic Patrol. After they hadmade their classroom safe, Gracie told them to listenvery carefully because she was going to tell them themost important thing of all.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

11

“‘Drop, Cover and Hold’ are the key wordsin earthquake preparedness,” Gracie said. “If theearth starts to shake while you are in yourclassroom, Drop, Cover and Hold under yourdesk or table.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

12

As soon as Nala heard the words, she calmlyand quietly got under the desk, covered herhead, and held on to the leg of the desk so thedesk wouldn’t move away from her.

Gracie continued, “Students, watch as Nalateaches you how to “Drop, Cover andHold.” Nala calmly and quietly listened forGracie to start the earthquake drill by saying,“Earthquake! Drop, Cover and Hold!”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

13

Gracie asked the students if they would like to practicethe earthquake drill and “Drop, Cover and Hold.”They were excited to practice, because now they knewthey would be safe when the ground started shaking.Gracie especially liked the way Scooter was tucked niceand tight under his desk.

Gracie then announced that the drill was over andNala got up, checked herself for injuries, and thenchecked the student next to her.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

14

Suddenly, Gracie discovered a little boy in the back whodidn’t want to practice. His name was Wellington. Graciewent back to his desk and asked, “Wellington, why didn’tyou practice the earthquake drill?” Wellington quicklyanswered, “We’re never going to have an earthquake. Thispreparedness stuff is for the birds!”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

15

Gracie went over to stand by Wellington and said,“Wellington, I hope you never experience anearthquake because you are not prepared. Abbey,Nala and I are very sorry you didn’t practice withthe other students.” Gracie returned to the frontof the room and continued teaching the studentsabout earthquakes and other natural hazardsfound in Washington State.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

16

After Gracie finished teaching about earthquakepreparedness, George explained the importance of havinga disaster kit. George began describing what needs to be ina disaster kit. “Make sure you have enough food and waterto last at least three days,” he said. “If you can’t get home,the school will take good care of you, but you will need tohave food and water close by.”

17

As George talked to the students about all of thethings they should have in their disasterpreparedness kit, he opened his kit and held upeach item for the kids to see. “You should havefood,” he said, “the kind that doesn’t go bad, suchas beef jerky, granola bars, candy bars, cans ofsoup or tuna.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

18

George held up his water jug and a little bowl to holdwater. He had big plastic trash bags, a flashlight with extrabatteries, and tucked neatly in his bag was a battery-powered radio so he could hear news reports. George alsohad a whistle that he could blow for help if help wasneeded, and first aid supplies.

“Wow!” the kids yelled. “George, you have everything!We’re going to make our kits look just like yours.”Well, they all agreed except, yep, your right,Wellington.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

19

Ellie, one of Mrs. Hillary’s students, asked, “What if I’moutside and the earth starts to shake?” Nala thanked Elliefor asking an important question. Nala replied, “Rememberkids, if you’re outside, stay away from buildings, trees andpower lines, and don’t forget to Drop, Cover and Hold.If you’re in a car with your parents or a friend, pull overand stay in the car until the shaking stops.”

Gracie concluded the lesson with the students. As she wasleaving the classroom, Gracie exclaimed, “Remember, if theground starts to shake, Drop, Cover and Hold.”

20

Two months later, on a crisp winter afternoon the earthstarted to shake. Gracie and her team were in theirunderground doghouse just waking up from a nap.“What’s happening?” George asked curiously.

Gracie hopped up off the ground and yelled,“Earthquake!” She called out, “Drop, Coverand Hold!”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

21

It wasn’t a moment later when her phone started to bark.Gracie anxiously picked up the phone and Mayor Terry theTurtle was on the line.

“Gracie, we need your help!” exclaimed Mayor Terry.“We’ve just experienced an earthquake in Shakeyville.We need you and the Seismic Patrol to go over to theShakeyville Elementary School and check on the students.Please make sure they are okay and no one has been hurt.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

22

Gracie and her team didn’t hesitate. They put on theirsafety suits and flew over to the school. Looking downfrom the sky they could see the damage that was causedby the earthquake. They were hoping that the students atShakeyville Elementary had followed proper earthquakeprocedures when the ground started shaking.

“There’s the school!” Nala yelled.

“Yep, I see it!” replied Abbey.

“From the sky, the school looks to be in pretty goodcondition,” said George.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

23

Once Gracie and the Seismic Patrol were in theschool, they began inspecting the building room byroom.

“Nala and Abbey, you take the rooms on that side ofthe hallway,” Gracie ordered. “George and I will takethe rooms on this side!”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

24

As Gracie and George went through the building,they could tell the students of Shakeyvilleelementary were well prepared. Students haddropped under their desks for protection, coveredtheir heads, and held on to the legs of their desks.They also had prepared their own disaster kits.Gracie and George were especially interestedto see Mrs. Hillary’s class.

25

26

Mrs. Hillary greeted Gracie and George. “Oh Gracie andGeorge, we’re so glad you’re here! Wellington has a bumpon his forehead from a book that fell off the bookshelf.He wasn’t paying attention to you when you were hereand now I’m afraid he’s hurt. He never brought a disasterkit to school, so he doesn’t have any food or water either.Can you help him!”

27

“Certainly, we can help him!” Gracie said. Gracie satdown on the floor by Wellington, opened up theDisaster Kit she carried on her back and took out abandage and gently placed it on Wellington’s head.“Now, that should feel better,” Gracie commentedwhile patting his head. “Oh Wellington, you shouldhave listened.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

28

Wellington was very sorry. In a somber voice hestarted to apologize. “Gracie,” he said, “I’m sorryI didn’t listen the first time. I’m sorry that I saidthose things to you when you were here teachingus how to be safe if an earthquake happens.I wish I had listened. Boy, I’ve learned my lesson.I’ll be earthquake safe the next time the groundshakes!”

29

Just then, Nala and Abbey walked in Mrs.Hillary’s door. “All the students at ShakeyvilleElementary School are just fine!” Abbeyexclaimed.

Gracie and the Seismic Patrol started to walkout the door when Mrs. Hillary’s class yelled,“Thank you, Gracie! Thank you, George!Thank you, Nala! Thank you, Abbey!’

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

30

Even Wellington now was a believer in earthquakepreparedness. He couldn’t wait to start building hisearthquake kit.

As the Seismic Patrol flew up into the sky, the studentsin Mrs. Hillary’s class continued to wave and cheer!

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

31

Smiling from ear to ear, the Seismic Patrol flew backhome to the underground doghouse to take amuch-needed nap.

“Earthquake preparedness really works,” said Abbey.

“You bet it does!” said George. “Let’s head home toget something to eat? I’m really hungry.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

32

While the Seismic Patrol was sleeping, Gracie’sphone started to bark.

Gracie raised one eyebrow and grinned. “Wellteam, looks like the Mayor needs our help again.Let’s get going....”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧