But we’ll get a dog from the shelter It’s a good deed to rescue a dog Dad agrees Josh is almost nine That’s a good age to get a dog I’m five says Becky That’s a good age too Yes it is says Mom Becky wants to help me take care of the dog I’m not so sure she’ll be much help I’m the one who changes the water in Lox’s bowl when I remember Becky tried to help me once She pulled the plug in the sink too soon Lox nearly went down the drain I’m also the one who cleans out Creamcheese’s litter box maybe not as often as I should When Becky helped me she spilled litter all over the carpet Becky’s not a big help But Dad insists You and Becky can walk the dog together and take care of it Do we have a deal Do I have a choice Deal I say Deal says Becky I love my sister but 3
Chapter tWo the Marpole Shelter for otherwise Doomed Dogs and puppies That’s not really its name It’s just called the Marpole Dog Shelter But we all know what happens to dogs that don’t get picked A lady in a lab coat Ms Pringle takes us inside to the kennels I’ve never seen so many dogs in one place Becky stops in front of one big cage and points I want that one Ms Pringle says That is a Great Dane dalmatian cross I think it looks like a small pony Becky’s thinking the same thing She says I could put a saddle on him I could ride him to kindergarten I could tie 444
him up to a tree and feed him hay at snack time I could No says Dad You could not All the dogs are mixtures There’s a cockapoo cocker spaniel poodle a pugapoo pug poodle and a Yorkipoo Yorkshire terrier poodle There’s also a German shepherd corgi Big mistake on short legs Then we stop outside the last cage and stare That says Ms Pringle is a whippet Jack Russell sheltie mix He’s just a puppy This one is different The other dogs are just hanging around killing time This puppy turns cartwheels and does backflips He runs around the cage Dad says If there was a canine version of Cirque du Soleil this dog would be the star turn Even though Dad has doubts the rest of us like him Mom says he has personality Dad sighs We’ll take this one he says He won’t admit it but I think Dad secretly likes our new puppy After all he’ll fit right in 5
