Free The Scruffy Puppy by Holly Webb Page A

I go running.”
    Tom snorted. “So, a greyhound then.”

    Their dad was really tall and he liked to go on long runs. He had entered the marathon before – they’d all gone up to London to watch him.
    Bella shook her head. “I don’t know about a greyhound, Dad. I’m not sure they could keep up with you. They’re more about going super-fast, but only for a short time. And anyway, if there was a greyhound here, it might be an ex-racing dog.” She frowned, andstood still for a minute. “And they’re really sad. The owners just dump them when they can’t race any more, and they’ve never had a proper home, or been looked after. They’ve all got terrible teeth, because the owners never took real care of them. I read about one who had to have all his teeth taken out.”
    Dad sighed. “I think quite a few of the dogs here might have sad stories, Bella. We just have to think that at least we’re going to give one of them a home.” He put an arm round her shoulders. “So, what do you think? Great, big, hairy dog? Tiny little fluffy thing?”
    Bella sighed.
    “I just don’t know! I keep trying to imagine myself with different sorts of dog, but I like all of them…” She smiled up at her dad. “When we seethem for real, it’ll be different, won’t it? We’ll know which is the perfect dog for us. I’m sure we will.”

    “How are we ever going to choose?” Bella said helplessly. There were so many dogs, and most of them were really excited to see visitors. Theyjumped up from their beds, and hurried over to the wire netting in the front of the pens, scrabbling madly, and begging to be stroked, loved, taken home. There were just a few who didn’t bother getting up, and Bella thought that they were even sadder. Those dogs must have been at the shelter so long that they knew it was no use. No one was ever going to want them. Their hopeless eyes made her want to cry.
    The worst thing was that she could see that her family couldn’t take them, either. They were mostly elderly, and didn’t look like they’d want to go for runs with Dad, or play around in the garden with her and Tom. But she wished she could be the one to make them happy.

    “Are you OK?” One of the centre staff stopped next to her, smiling. She had a badge on that said “Jo – Manager”.
    Bella gulped. “Yes. I suppose. It’s just so sad. Some of the dogs look like they’ve given up.”
    Jo sighed. “I know. But it’s not completely hopeless, you know. We do find almost all of them homes in the end, even though it can take a long time. Elderly dogs can be great, gentle pets.” She smiled at Bella. “I should think you and your family would likesomething a bit bouncier, though.”
    “Yes, please.” Bella nodded. “I don’t really mind about what breed or anything. I just want to have a dog of our own.”
    Jo looked at her thoughtfully. “Did you see Sid?”
    Bella frowned. “I don’t think so. Is he up there somewhere?” She pointed further down the line of pens, where her dad and Tom were crouched down looking in at a big Boxer, who was barking as if he would burst with excitement.
    “No, no, you’ve gone past him. Here.” Jo led Bella back a couple of pens, and stopped so she could peer in.
    The basket was in the corner of the pen, and all Bella could see was a fuzzy brown and white back.
    Jo chuckled. “He could sleep forEngland, this one. But when he’s awake, he’s a cutie. Well…” she paused. “He
is
cute. But he’s not exactly the best-looking dog in the world. I have to admit, most people pass him over. But I think he’s lovely. I’d take him home myself if I didn’t have four cats already.”
    “Has he been here for ages?” Bella asked, crouching down to look at the brown and white furry lump in the basket.
    “About, um, four months.” Jo sighed. “He’s starting to give up, which is so sad. I think he sleeps so much because he really hates being here. He’s lovely and affectionate with the