Free A Home for Rascal by Holly Webb Page A

would be absolutely perfect.

Chapter Two
The Perfect Dog
    Ellie was almost dancing as she and Christy set off down the road. The park wasn’t far from Ellie’s house. Christy only lived round the corner too, so she was allowed to walk Bouncer there on her own, or with Ellie.
    “What’s up with you?” Christy asked.
    “We’re getting a dog!” Ellie told her, beaming.
    “Really? That’s brilliant!” Christy stopped dead, accidentally jerking Bouncer’s leadso he stopped, too. He looked up at her, confused.
    “I know! I can’t believe they finally said yes!”
    “What sort are you going to get?” Christy asked. “A Lab like Bouncer?”

    “We haven’t decided. Dad said we’d talk about it tonight. Max wants a big dog, and Lila wants a red setter, but I like little dogs.” She leaned over to pat Bouncer. “I love you, Bouncer! But I’d like a dog I can cuddle.”
    Ellie sighed. “When I dreamed about having a dog I didn’t really think about having to share it with Max and Lila. Max is so sporty, he’ll want to do all the walks, and Lila will do all the grooming. She’ll be painting its claws pink! I won’t get to do anything!”
    Christy shook her head. “I’m not so sure. Max is really loud. Dogs don’t like loud, Ellie, ’specially not when they’re puppies. They like gentle, cuddly people. Like you. I bet mostdogs would be scared of Lila, too. I’m scared of her!” Bouncer tugged hopefully on his lead and Christy started walking again. “And Bouncer loves you. He doesn’t like everybody, you know.”
    “You think so? The puppy might really like me?” Ellie asked hopefully.
    Christy nodded. “I should think your new dog will love you. Besides,” Christy giggled, “it’ll want you to keep it safe from Lila!”
    That made Ellie laugh so much that a lady walking past with a big-eyed spaniel gave her a funny look.
    “Would you like a spaniel like that one?” Christy asked. “They’re quite small.”
    Ellie shook her head. “No, littler. WhatI’d really like is a Jack Russell.”
    “Oh, they’re really cute!”
    Ellie thought for a moment. “Actually, I bet Mum would like a smaller dog. She always said we hadn’t got the space when I asked before.”
    Christy grinned. “Then you’ll just have to work on persuading the others!”

    When Ellie got home, she looked through all her dog books and magazines to find out as much as she could about Jack Russells. She piled them up on the kitchen table, and waited.
    When Dad got in from work, she offered to make him a cup of tea.
    Mum laughed. “What are you after, Ellie?”
    “I wanted to show you what sort of dog I’d like,” she admitted. “A Jack Russell. Aren’t they gorgeous? And they’re small, too.” She turned to the right page in her dog book.
    Dad picked up the book. “I’d been thinking of a Westie, but I could see us with one of these…”
    Mum frowned as she looked over Dad’s shoulder. “It says they can be quite naughty.”
    “I think that’s just because they get bored when they’re left on their own,” Ellie told her quickly. “I’d take ours for lots of walks. And even when I’m at school you’re at home, Mum.”
    Max came in, looking very muddy. “Is tea ready? I’m starving! Hey, Dad. Are we going to decide on a dog?” He peered over at the book. “A Jack Russell?” He shook his head. “We want a big dog! Little dogs can’t go on proper walks.”

    “Jack Russells love walking!” Ellie protested. “And they’re clever, Max,” she added, searching for the magazine she wanted. “You could teach our puppy tricks, look.”
    Max looked at the picture Ellie had found, which showed a really cheeky-looking puppy leaping a metre in the air to catch a Frisbee in its mouth. “Maybe. Frisbee would be cool.”
    But Ellie had a feeling it was going to be harder to persuade her sister.
    When Lila came down for tea she showed everyone a red setter photo she’d printed off from a website.
    Mum