A Forever Home for Bella Page 3
“This is great. Thanks, Jack,” she said.
“There was one more thing,” said Grace. “We thought there should be a dog monitor or carer who makes sure that Bella gets exercised and trained while she’s at school.”
“And also makes sure she has time to sleep and doesn’t get overtired,” said Jack.
Ms Clark’s eyes twinkled. “I expect that you two would like that job?”
“We would,” said Grace. “But it might be nice for someone else to look after Bella, someone who doesn’t have a dog of their own…”
“Someone who really wants one,” put in Jack. “Like Poppy in our class. Could she be Bella’s carer instead of us?”
Ms Clark nodded. “That’s a great idea. I’ll ask her in the morning.”
Grace remembered the way Poppy had reacted when they had first told her their idea and she crossed her fingers.
Oh, I hope Poppy says yes, she thought.
Although Bella wasn’t going to start at school until it was fully puppy-proofed, the next day the twins’ mum said they could walk her to school.
“The more she gets used to the place and all the children the better,” said Mrs Taylor. “I’ll walk her back afterwards.”
As they went into the playground, Grace spotted Poppy. “Here, take Bella,” she said, handing Jack Bella’s lead. She ran over. “Hi, Poppy,” she called.
“Hi,” said Poppy.
Grace took a breath. “Poppy, I’ve got something to ask you. Ms Clark said Bella can be a school dog but she needs someone to be responsible for her. A dog monitor who would help to look after and train her while she’s at school.” She saw Poppy start to shake her head and rushed on. “Ms Clark is going to ask you. Please say yes.”
“No, I don’t want to,” Poppy said tightly.
“You’d be brilliant at it!” said Grace, refusing to give up. She waved at Jack. To her relief, he understood and brought Bella over. Seeing Poppy, the puppy gave a woof of delight and jumped up at her. “See, she remembers you,” said Grace as Bella’s pink tongue licked at Poppy’s hands.
“She hasn’t greeted anyone else like that,” said Jack.
“She’d really like you to be her school carer,” said Grace.
Poppy’s face softened. She crouched beside the eager puppy. “Hello, Bella,” she murmured. Bella wagged her whole body, her little tail thwacking from side to side as Poppy rubbed her ears. “Do you remember me? Do you really?”
Bella stuck her nose in Poppy’s face and snuffled at her hair.
“That’s a yes!” said Grace.
Poppy laughed. “Would you like me to look after you?” Bella licked Poppy’s face and cuddled closer.
“There’ll be lots to do. You’ll have to take her out, make sure she has water, give her lunch and make sure she has rest times. You’ll also have to train her and supervise the little ones with her,” said Jack.
“It would be almost like she was your dog,” added Grace. “It’s a big responsibility but you’d be the best person in the school to do it.”
“Will you?” asked Jack.
Poppy’s face broke into a delighted smile. “Yes!” she said, kissing Bella’s head. “All right, I will!”
Two months later Bella had settled into her role as Greenfields’ school dog and Poppy was a brilliant school-dog carer. She was confident, and great at training Bella and the younger children! She’d even started a Puppy Club where she taught them how to look after Bella. And her parents agreed that Bella could come to their house on the evenings when Ms Clark and her husband were out.
“Bella loves Puppy Club,” Poppy told Grace and Jack at the end of school one day. Bella was on a lead because she was going to Poppy’s house for the evening. “I always finish by reading a dog story. Bella sits on the beanbag with me. She likes the funny books best. When everyone laughs she opens her mouth as if she’s joining in. I’ve finally taught her to love books by listening to them rather than nibbling them!” Bella thumped her tail as if she agreed.
Grace laughed. “She is a very clever dog,” she said, patting her.
Poppy grinned. “She really is.”
A little boy called Ethan came running up with a couple of friends. “Bella’s the best dog in the world!” He dropped down and threw his arms round her.
“Be careful, Ethan,” said Poppy. “Don’t hold her too tightly. She likes it better if you stroke her gently just like I showed you in Puppy Club, remember?”
Ethan released his grip and Poppy guided his hand so he was stroking Bella’s back in the direction of her fur. “That’s it, like that. See, she’s wagging her tail. You’re making her happy!”
“Can we stroke her too?” asked one of the girls who was with Ethan.
Grace and Jack watched as Poppy patiently let the three younger children all stroke Bella. “OK, that’s enough now,’ she said. “You can cuddle her some more tomorrow.” She grinned at Jack and Grace. “It’s hard managing Bella’s fan club!”
“You’re brilliant at it though,” said Jack.
“I thought I didn’t like little kids,” said Poppy. “But it’s been fun teaching them about Bella. I think that when Rose gets bigger it might not be so bad having a little sister after all. I can show her how to look after Bella too. Mum and Dad are really proud of me for looking after Bella so well and they said we can have a family dog when Rose is a bit older.” She crouched down and fussed Bella, who licked her face. “I’d rather have you part-time than have any other dog though. You’re the best!” Bella licked her face and woofed.
“I think she agrees!” said Jack.
“Looking after Bella’s made me realise how much work a puppy is,” Poppy said. “It’s the same with babies. I can see why Mum needs to spend so much time with Rose now and why she gets so tired. Bella’s already much easier to look after, and hopefully Rose will be too.” She waved as she spotted her mum and Rose. “There they are! See you tomorrow!”
She ran off with Bella bounding at her side.
“Hi, Mum! Hello, Rosie Posy.” Poppy lifted Bella up to the pram for Rose to see her. “Say hello to Bella!” She gently waved Bella’s paw and Rose giggled.
Grace looked at Jack, her eyes shining. “We did it!” she said. “We found Bella a perfect home.”
“Not just one perfect home but two,” said Jack. “And we made both Poppy and Ms Clark really happy.”
“I wonder what’s next,” said Grace thoughtfully. “How about a school cat? If our next animal in need of a home is a kitten.”
Jack nodded. “Why not? We could have a school cat, a school rabbit, a school pony…”
“A school giraffe!” Grace put in, grinning.
“Maybe even a school elephant!” said Jack. “The more animals the better!”
Grace met his hand in a high-five. “Definitely!” she agreed.
NAME: Tiny
AGE: Six
BREED: German Shepherd crossbreed
COLOUR: White
SIZE: Very big
LIKES: Being cuddled, going on walks, sitting on people’s feet so they can’t move away, making friends with other animals, and, of course, Grace and Jack!
DISLIKES: Baths
FAVOURITE TREATS: Sausages and cheese
Answer these questions to find out if your ideal dog is a Jack Russell terrier, a Springer Spaniel, a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd!
1. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTIONS IS MOST LIKE YOU:
a) I love running around and playing games with my friends
b) I’m good at sports and I like to win! I don’t always do what I’m told…
c) I like making friends and I’m good at making people happy
d) I’m clever and good at solving problems. I can be a bit stubborn!
2. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE THINGS IN LIFE?
a) Running, jumping, chasing and playing!
b) Making a lot of noise
c) Eating delicious food
d) Being with my best frie
nd
3. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT DAY?
a) A fun walk in the countryside,
followed by a run!
b) Football, basketball and having
play fights with my friends
c) Playing outside all morning, a
big lunch, then a cosy afternoon
indoors
d) A long walk on the beach with my
best friend
YOUR IDEAL DOG IS A…
Mainly a) A fun Springer Spaniel! They never seem to get tired no matter how much exercise they have and the second you move, so do they!
Mainly b) A lively Jack Russell terrier! They love to chase, bark and play fight and are great fun to be with, although they don’t always do what they’re told!
Mainly c) An easy-going Labrador Retriever. They love to fetch and like to please. They are friendly and get on with everyone, and they love food!
Mainly d) A faithful German Shepherd. They are one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Their brains need to be active, they love to work and are very loyal to their owners.
Labradors can be either black, brown (chocolate) or yellow (golden). You can get all three colours in one litter of puppies!
Labradors originated in Newfoundland in Canada.
Labradors are bred to retrieve and love to carry things around in their mouths. They should have “soft” mouths which means they carry things gently – some Labradors can even carry an egg without breaking it!
Labradors are great swimmers and usually love water.
WHICH DOG BREED ABSOLUTELY LOVES LIVING IN THE CITY?
A New Yorkie!
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A COCKER SPANIEL, A POODLE, AND A ROOSTER?
A Cockerpoodledoo!
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A DOG WITH A PHONE?
A Golden Receiver!
First published in the UK in 2021 by Nosy Crow Ltd
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www.nosycrow.com
ISBN: 978 1 78800 955 3
eISBN: 978 1 78800 956 0
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Text copyright © Linda Chapman and Julie Sykes, 2021
Illustrations © Sophy Williams, 2021
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