Free Too Big to Run by Catherine Hapka

Clinic Clients
    â€œWe’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.
    â€œThat’s okay,” Zach Goldman said. “Mom’s not finished yet anyway.”
    â€œYeah, 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.
    â€œThis is Pepper,” Zach told Janey and Lolli. The little dog barked when Zach said his name.
    â€œAw, he’s adorable!” Janey perched on the edge of one of the waiting room chairsand 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.”
    â€œTherapy dog?” Janey echoed, a little confused. Pepper was smaller than mostof her stuffed animals! How could he be a therapy dog? “Do you mean Pepper leads blind people around?”
    â€œNo, 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.
    â€œThat makes sense,” Janey said. “Being with animals always makes me feel better.” She sighed. “Even if it doesn’t happen often enough.”
    â€œJaney 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.”
    â€œOh, 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.
    â€œIt 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.”
    â€œThanks,” 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