Smells Like Dog by Suzanne Selfors

Blurb from http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/

Meet Homer Pudding, an ordinary farm boy who''s got big dreams-to follow in the footsteps of his famous treasure-hunting uncle. But when Uncle Drake mysteriously disappears, Homer inherits two things: a lazy, droopy dog with no sense of smell, and a mystery.

Why would his uncle call this clumsy dog his "most treasured possession?" And why did he put a gold coin on the dog''s collar?

And who will continue Uncle Drake''s quest-to find the most coveted pirate treasure in the world?

Join Homer, his sister Gwendolyn, and Dog on an adventure that will test their wits and courage as they leave their peaceful farm and head into a world where ruthless treasure hunters hide around every corner. Where they discover that Dog has a hidden talent and that treasure might be closer than they ever imagined. . .

'Smells like Dog' is a fabulous 9-12 adventure that will stretch your imagination to its limits. Homer lives on a goat farm and has no friends due to the fact that he can read a book while walking and tends to get a little carried away when dreaming about treasure hunting. When a terrible accident puts him into deep, deep trouble, he decides to brave The City (so very different from The Country and by far more dangerous) and find out what happened to his beloved uncle.

What follows is an amazing adventures with a lady who cannot ride in an elevator or a rollercoaster, a man who travels in a cloud, a soup-selling girl who helps him find the museum, a secret society and a treasure beyond belief. And lets not forget Dog, who can't smell (and is no good for farming), but who becomes Homer's best friend and saves him from something you would not have anticipated.

This a fun-filled adventure that is so twisted and unexpected, I looked like a pretzel reading it;). It has been out in North America since May and will be published in the UK in September 2010. Suzanne's website is here.