Alex and Scooby are always together. Every day, Alex takes Scooby for a walk across the Recreation Ground (or Rec as Alex calls it). One late morning, in early January, while he is throwing a stick for Scooby to chase, a space ship lands between the roundabout and the swings. Silently, the door opens and out of the spaceship glides a small blue, rubbery shape. Alex is gobsmacked. The shape moves towards him - it looks like a cross between Mr. Blobby and R2D2 from Star Wars, thinks Alex to himself.

Alex: What the ...........?

Alien: Greetings Earthman.

Alex: Who on earth are you?

Alien: On Earth - yes, I am on Earth. What is R U?

Alex: Your name - what's your name - and where are you from?

Alien: Name: Jemba. Homebase: Skana. Mission: visit Earth

Alex: Well, you've found Earth all right, but what are you doing here?

Alien: Doing here? Communicating with Earthman. Your name, homebase and mission please?

Alex: I don't have a mission, I just live here. My name's Alex and this is Scooby my dog.

Scooby is sniffing the Alien. Alex isn't sure whether Scooby will run away or lift his leg. Just to make sure he calls him.

Alex: Come here, Scooby, that's a good lad. Come on then, boy.

Alien: Scooby is Earthboy?

Alex: No Scooby is my pet dog. I am a boy.

Alien: You are not Earthman?

Alex: No, I'm just a boy.

Alien: Where is Earthman?

Alex: There are lots of men on Earth - and women and girls. My Dad's a man, my Mum's a woman and my brother Adam is a boy like me.

Alien: What is pet dog?

Alex: Scooby's my pet dog. He belongs to me. I have to feed him and look after him and exercise him.

Alien: Spaceship is my pet dog. Feed fuel, look after, take for a ride.

Alex: No. A spaceship isn't a pet like a dog. It more of a vehicle - like a car or a plane. Scooby is alive - he's an animal - and he's clever. Watch I'll show you.

Alex picks up a stick and throws it. Scooby chases the stick and brings it back to Alex. He drops the stick at Alex's feet, waiting for him to throw it again. The Alien doesn't look impressed.

Alien: Spaceship is clever pet. Can listen, can think, can follow commands, can talk. Scooby pet dog no talk.

Alex: Oh yes he can - at least I can understand him - and I'd rather have my dog than your spaceship any day.

Alex is angry. How can anyone think a spaceship, no matter how good, is better than his dog. Scooby can feel Alex getting angry and he starts to bark.

Alex: That's it Scooby, show rubber nose how you can talk.

Scooby barks louder and louder. As quickly as he had arrived, the Alien glides into his spaceship. The door closes silently, the ship rises into the air and in a second is gone. Alex's brother comes running across the Rec.

Adam: What's the matter with Scooby. What's he barking at?

Alex: Name: Scooby. Homebase: the Rec. Mission: to scare away aliens.