Chapter 1 The Walk Home Maddie skipped down the sidewalk humming to herself Her brown ponytail swung from side to side and her shoes made a swishing sound as they moved along the sidewalk She loved the walk home from the bus stop after school because she could see so many animals along the way Maddie loved animals Maddie’s neighbors the Smith family had two cats that liked to play in the yard Maddie tiptoed as she passed by the house She squatted down and looked into the bushes in the front yard She spied the cats hiding under the leaves and watched as the cats tails moved back and forth in short quick swipes Each front paw lifted up and down like they were trying to push a button 7
Then suddenly the cats sprang from their hiding spot and pounced Sometimes they targeted a bird and sometimes a squirrel They even pounced on a toy left outside by the kids on accident Maddie never saw the cats catch any animals but she did see them grab a toy sometimes before they turned and took off to a new hiding place A tall tree stood in front of the Hernandez family’s house and in that tree Maddie saw twigs leaves and even some string Taking a closer look Maddie saw that those things made a nest and that nest belonged to a family of birds Maddie listened as the birds called or sang and it always made her smile Squirrels scampered dogs barked (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) block It made Maddie think She always wanted an animal of her own She had a little sister named Chloe but her sister wouldn’t fetch a ball or go for 8
a walk on a leash She had an older brother named Alex but he wouldn’t follow her commands or sing or even swim for her A pet was the answer Maddie’s parents thought a pet was a good idea and agreed that Maddie was responsible enough to take care of an animal of her own Unfortunately Maddie didn’t know what pet would be best for her 9
