Free A Home for Shimmer by Cathy Hopkins Page B

because we have to do what we can to help!’
    She let go of my arm and lingered behind as Mazhar led our group on. When I turned round, I could see she was talking to the cat with one eye. ‘Don’t you worry, baby, someone will come and take you home soon,’ she said.
    ‘Cats
really
don’t like being in the cattery pens – they like to run around,’ said Mazhar, ‘so we work hard to home them as soon as we can – and we do have quite a quick turnaround on finding them places, faster than the dogs.’
    ‘They must feel cooped up in there,’ I said, remembering how Ginger acted when he was kept inside. He was one miserable cat.
    Mazhar nodded. ‘We have an area where we can let them out one at a time so they get some exercise at least and we also play classical music to help keep them calm, and sometimes give them catnip which is a herb they seem to like. We even have someone who comes in and does massage sometimes – on the dogs too, they love it.’
    Caitlin ran to catch us up. ‘Don’t you find it heartbreaking working here?’ she asked.
    Mazhar smiled. ‘Of course I do, especially when I see the cases of abuse or an animal that has been neglected, but at least I am doing what I can – and all of these little guys are such fun to hang out with. Animals are so trusting, dogs will love a person unconditionally if they are treated well – and even sometimes if they aren’t. I just try to do what I can to keep them safe and find them homes, so it’s a very rewarding job, really.’
    By the time we’d finished, I felt sad. So many animals in need of homes and someone to love them. ‘I’m glad there are places like this,’ I said to Mazhar when it was time to say goodbye.
    ‘Me too,’ he said. ‘And we need more centres. It’s hard work but worth it.’
    ‘Can we stay in touch in case we have any more questions?’ asked Dad.
    ‘Of course you can. Best of luck with your venture,’ he said.
    We need more than luck
, I thought as we walked back to the car.
We need a miracle – one that involves us finding a bounty of gold at the bottom of the pond
.
    Everyone, even Caitlin, was quiet as we drove away. I cuddled Shimmer extra close and buried my nose in her soft fur. ‘You’re my girl,’ I said, ‘and I’m going to make sure nothing bad ever happens to you.’ She replied in her usual fashion – by giving me a big wet lick.

Chapter Nine
    Chateau D’Espair
    Dear Diary,
    Silverbrook Farm rescue centre/farm shop/café project update one week after the visit: NOT HAPPENING.
    Family mood: It is Chateau D’Espair here. Everyone is mucho glum and silent. Even Josh, who’s usually Mr Bright and Annoyingly Perky.
    Silverbrook animals: oblivious to the atmosphere. Ginger likes to go exploring now that it’s April and the winter is over. Sometimes we don’t see him for hours because he is out surveying his new territory and no doubt telling any creature he meets that he is king of the land. Shimmer still eats too fast and gets hiccups – she loves food and eats anything she sees, even bread. One day she got the runs and Dad had to take a look at her and put a thermometer up her bum to check her temperature. Boy, did she let out a yelp! It didn’t stop her eating everything in her sight afterwards though. Her favourite food is ice cream. Vanilla. She can’t get enough of it. She eats it in one go. No licking and savouring it for her. Gomph. And it’s gone. Other favourites are sausages, sausage rolls and crisps – any flavour.
    School: is fine. Seems a long time ago since I stood outside feeling nervous. It’s cool for a school but nice to be on holiday from it over Easter.
    Me: Since our visit to the rescue centre, I feel like I am made from wet sand – and not even getting Easter eggs cheered me up. Shimmer seems to have picked up on this and as soon as I sit down, she comes and sits next to me and puts her head on my knees. But that might be because she wants to eat the Easter eggs. She is