Rocky (5 page)

“We’re stopping to pick up Aunt Amanda on our way,” Dad told Charles, as they backed out of the driveway in Dad’s red pickup. “I heard about the puppy from her, and she insists on coming with us.”

“What kind of puppy is it? Where did it come from? Is it a boy or a girl?” Charles bounced up and down on his seat. Already, he’d almost forgotten all about his bad day. How bad a day could it be if they were getting a new puppy to foster?

Dad smiled. “I really don’t have many details,” he said. “The only question I can answer is where the dog came from. Remember how we heard about all that flooding down south last week? Lots of pets were left homeless when people’s houses washed away. The shelters down there have done everything they can to find each dog’s family, but there are still some animals left needing homes.”

“But how did the puppy get up here?” Charles asked.

“Aunt Amanda has an old friend named Bunny who runs an all-breed rescue,” Dad said. “She takes in all kinds of dogs and tries to find them homes, just the way we take in puppies. Her place is sort of a cross between a foster home and a shelter. I guess she has so many dogs right now that she just can’t handle one more, especially a young one. When Aunt Amanda told her that we foster puppies, she couldn’t wait to meet us.”

Charles sat quietly for a moment, imagining what kind of puppy they would be meeting. Maybe it would be a cute little Pomeranian. He’d always wanted to foster one of those. Or maybe it was a larger breed. Charles had loved Maggie, the huge Saint Bernard puppy his family had fostered.

“You okay, pal?” Dad broke the silence while they waited at a stoplight. “You looked pretty bummed out when you first came home. Want to talk about it?”

Charles shrugged. “I just had a bad day, that’s all. I messed up in a kickball game, and Sammy teased me about something, and stuff like that.” He played with the buckle on his seatbelt.

Dad nodded. “Not every day can be a winner, I guess.” He shook his head. “That Sammy sure does like to joke around. I bet he didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

Charles looked out the window. He didn’t want to talk about it anymore. He just wanted to forget about his bad day.

Rocky’s first owner got him because he wanted a guard dog, but as Lizzie knew, that’s not what bulldogs are best at. If your family is thinking about getting a dog, it’s a good idea to learn about different breeds and figure out which one will suit your family best. Do you like to spend lots of time outdoors, the way I do? Not all dogs love hiking and swimming, but an athletic Lab or a German shepherd would be a good choice. If you live in a city apartment, a smaller, less athletic dog like a Pomeranian or Chihuahua might make more sense. Take the time to find the perfect dog for your family, and both you and the dog will be much happier.

Dear Reader,

I never had an official pen pal, but I love to read and write letters. When I was your age, there was no e-mail or texting so my friends and I wrote letters to each other whenever we were apart. I still have some letters I got from my friend Sophie when we were in fourth grade and she was away for the summer!

I wish I could be pen pals with all my fans and readers, but if I did that, I’d spend
all
my time writing letters and I wouldn’t be able to write books! If you’re interested in having a pen pal, ask your parents to help you find a pen-pal site online.

Happy writing!

Ellen Miles

P.S. If you want to read about another puppy who isn’t as sleepy as he seems, try MUTTLEY.

Ellen Miles loves dogs, which is why she has a great time writing the Puppy Place books. And guess what? She loves cats, too! (In fact, her very first pet was a beautiful tortoiseshell cat named Jenny.) That’s why she came up with a brand-new series called Kitty Corner. Ellen lives in Vermont and loves to be outdoors every day, walking, biking, skiing, or swimming, depending on the season. She also loves to read, cook, explore her beautiful state, play with dogs, and hang out with friends and family.

Visit Ellen at
www.ellenmiles.net
.