Too Big to Run

To all dogs, big and small

C.H.

“We're here, we're here!” Janey Simpson exclaimed breathlessly as she rushed into the Park View Critter Clinic. “It's Lolli's fault we're late.”

Her friend Lolli Simpson giggled and followed Janey into the vet clinic's cozy waiting room. “She's right, it's my fault. I had to feed the goats and sheep before we came.”

Lolli's family lived on a small farm. They had two pet goats and a sheep. One of Lolli's chores was to feed the animals on weekends.

“That's okay,” Zach Goldman said. “Mom's not finished yet anyway.”

“Yeah, she has one more patient to see,” Adam Santos said.

Zach's mother was a veterinarian who owned the Critter Clinic. She had agreed to drive Zach, Janey, Lolli, and Adam to the animal shelter after she finished with her morning clients.

It was easy to guess who her last patient was, since there was only one animal in the waiting room—a cute little Chihuahua. He was wagging his tail while Adam petted him.

“This is Pepper,” Zach told Janey and Lolli. The little dog barked when Zach said his name.

“Aw, he's adorable!” Janey perched on the edge of one of the waiting room chairs
and rubbed Pepper's head. He licked her hand with his tiny pink tongue and wagged his tail even harder.

The Chihuahua's owner smiled. She was a tall woman a little older than Janey's mom. “Thanks,” she said. “He loves everyone. That's why he makes such a good therapy dog.”

“Therapy dog?” Janey echoed, a little confused. Pepper was smaller than most
of her stuffed animals! How could he be a therapy dog? “Do you mean Pepper leads blind people around?”

“No, that's a service dog,” Adam said. “Therapy dogs are different. Mrs. Reed was just telling us all about it. She and Pepper visit hospitals and nursing homes every week. It makes people feel better when they can interact with a friendly animal.”

Adam sounded interested in what he was telling the girls. That was no surprise, since Adam was interested in everything having to do with dogs. He ran a successful dog-sitting business even though he was only nine.

“That makes sense,” Janey said. “Being with animals always makes me feel better.” She sighed. “Even if it doesn't happen often enough.”

“Janey is crazy about animals,” Lolli told Mrs. Reed. “But she can't have any pets because her dad is allergic to anything with fur or feathers.”

“Oh, dear.” Mrs. Reed looked sympathetic. “Well, at least you have the Pet Rescue Club, right?”

Janey's eyes widened. “You know about the Pet Rescue Club?” she exclaimed. “We're famous!”

Zach laughed. “Not exactly,” he said. “Adam and I were just telling her about it.”

Janey, Lolli, Adam, and Zach had started the Pet Rescue Club to help animals in need in their town. So far they'd helped find great new homes for several animals, including a dog, a cat, and even a pony.

Janey had been good friends with Lolli and Adam even before starting the Pet Rescue Club. At first she hadn't been sure Zach would make a good member. She still thought he joked around too much. But he was a computer expert and helped run the group's blog. Besides, he knew a lot about animals because of his mother's job.

“It sounds like you kids have done a lot of good for homeless animals so far,” Mrs. Reed said. “Let me know if Pepper and I can ever be of any help.”

“Thanks,” Lolli said. “How did Pepper become a therapy dog, anyway? Did he have to take special classes? Because I bet my dog would love to visit people—he's super friendly.”

Janey gasped. “Oh, you're right!” she exclaimed. “Roscoe would be a perfect therapy dog!”

Zach laughed. “Yeah, except it might be a problem if he tries to sit in people's laps like Pepper does.”

“True. He's a little bigger than Pepper.” Lolli grinned at Mrs. Reed. “He's part Lab, part Rottweiler, and part who knows what.”

“Therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes,” Mrs. Reed replied with a smile. “The only important things are the right kind of temperament and some basic training.”

“Really?” Zach looked surprised.

The woman nodded, bending down to pat Pepper. “Actually, I've been thinking about getting a second dog myself, and I was
thinking I might look for a larger one this time,” she said. “Pepper is perfect for snuggling with elderly folks. But children can be a little too rambunctious for such a small, delicate dog. A medium-sized critter might be better for visiting them.”

“I know the perfect place for you to find a dog,” Janey exclaimed. “The Third Street Animal Shelter! They have all sizes!”

The other members of the Pet Rescue Club nodded. They all volunteered at the shelter, which had helped them place their very first rescue animal.

“Yes, I was thinking of looking there,” Mrs. Reed said.

“We're going there after Mom sees Pepper,” Zach told her excitedly. “You could come with us!”

The woman chuckled. “Thanks, Zach. But Pepper and I are scheduled to visit a nursing home this afternoon.” She shrugged. “Actually, Pepper and I are pretty busy for the next few weeks. But maybe we'll stop by the shelter next month. I'm sure we'll be able to find
our new therapy-dog friend there.”

Janey frowned slightly. Next month? That seemed like forever away!

“Are you sure you don't have time to go to the shelter sooner?” she asked. “It's open every day of the week. Even tomorrow—Sunday!”

Lolli poked her. “Don't be impatient, Janey,” she said gently. “Mrs. Reed will go when she's ready.”

Janey knew her friend was right. Lolli was always thoughtful and tried to see things from other people's point of view.

But Janey liked to look at things from animals' points of view. “Okay,” she said. “The thing is, I just know there are plenty of medium-sized dogs in the shelter that would love a new home pronto!”

“Pronto?” Zach said.

“That's Janey's new word,” Lolli told him. “It means immediately.”

“Oh.” Zach rolled his eyes, then looked at Mrs. Reed. “Janey likes to pick out weird new words and use them a lot.”

“Pronto, eh?” Mrs. Reed winked at Janey. “Well, we'll see. Maybe we can find a time to get over there sooner after all—I mean, pronto.”

Janey smiled. “I hope so.”

Just then the vet assistant poked his head out of one of the doors. “Mrs. Reed?” he said. “The doctor is almost finished with her last patient. Why don't you and Pepper come into exam room two and get settled. She'll be with you soon.”

“Thanks, Russ.” The woman stood up and whistled. “Come on, Pepper. Time for your booster shots!”

Pepper looked up, alert. Then he barked and trotted at his owner's heel as she followed the tech into the room.

Janey sighed as she watched them go. “I wish I had a Chihuahua like Pepper,” she said. “He's so cute!”

“You wish you could take home every dog you meet,” Lolli reminded her with a smile.

“Yeah,” Zach said. “Wait until you see the dog in exam room one! You'll definitely want him!”

“Really?” Janey glanced at the closed door to exam room one. “What kind of dog is he?”

Zach and Adam traded a grin. “You'll see,” Adam said.