Free A Home for Rascal by Holly Webb Page B

shook her head. “They’re such big dogs, Lila. And all that long fur, we’d have to groom it every day.”
    “I’d do it!” Lila said.
    “Every day?” Dad raised an eyebrow.
    Lila nodded, but she was looking a bit doubtful.
    “Sorry, I just don’t think we have the space,” Mum said gently.
    “Lila, look.” Ellie had her secret weapon prepared. One of her dog magazines had a feature on clothes for dogs, with a photo of a super-cute Jack Russell posing in sunglasses and a little denim coat. Ellie thought it looked a bit silly, but she was sure Lila would like it.
    “Aww!” Lila laughed.

    “I don’t think they make cute coats red-setter-sized ,” Ellie pointed out. “Only for little dogs.”
    Dad smiled and exchanged glances with Mum. “Right. Who’s coming to help me find a Jack Russell breeder on the computer then?”

Chapter Three
The Littlest Puppy
    They had found a breeder on the internet who lived in a farmhouse just outside town. Dad had called them and arranged to go and see the litter of puppies the very next day. He seemed just as keen as Ellie to get a dog! Ellie peered out of the car window, over Lila’s shoulder, to see if they were almost there yet. As the littlest she always had to sit in the middle seat.
    They turned down a narrow track andpulled up outside an old farmhouse. Ellie wrestled out of her seat belt and scrambled out of the car. They were about to meet their puppy!
    A friendly-looking woman opened the door. “The Thomases? Here to see the puppies? I’m Liz. Come on through. The puppies have a little room just off the kitchen.”
    Lila and Max chattered away to Liz, as she led them into the house. Ellie tried to follow them, but somehow everyone was blocking the door to the puppy room.
    “Max, can I see?” She tried to squeeze round Max, but he wasn’t listening.
    Ellie sighed crossly. Sometimes she hated being the smallest. Even Mum andDad were cooing over the puppies, and hadn’t noticed she was still in the kitchen. She wasn’t even going to get the chance to see the puppies before Lila and Max chose which one they were having!
    She sat down on one of the kitchen chairs, and stared sadly at a dog magazine that was open on the table.
    Suddenly, something damp pressed itself against her hand, and Ellie squeaked. Then the something nibbled her fingers hopefully. Ellie peered under the table.
    There was a puppy down there!
    He looked up at her hopefully with twinkly dark eyes, his floppy ears twitching as he put his head to one side.

    Ellie giggled. His expression was so naughty!
    “Are you meant to be under there?” she whispered.
    The puppy whined apologetically and licked her hand. His tongue was all soft and slobbery.
    Just then, Ellie realized that the excited chatter from inside the puppy room had died down.
    “Hang on. Can everyone just check for me… There should be five…” said Liz, sounding worried. “I don’t believe it. He’s got out again. I don’t know how he climbs over the board in the doorway, none of the others can!”
    Ellie looked down at the puppy.
    “She’s talking about you, isn’t she?” The puppy stared back at her with big, innocent eyes. Who, me? he seemed to be saying.
    Ellie reached for the puppy, feeling a tiny bit worried that he wouldn’t want to be picked up, but he seemed delighted to scramble into her arms. Cradling him against her shoulder, she stood up and walked over to the door.
    “Um, is this who you’re looking for?” Ellie went red. She wasn’t very good at talking to strangers.
    The puppy snuffled delightedly into her ear, making her squeak. Liz laughed and shook her head. “There he is! He’s a real little rascal. He’s obviously taken to you, though!”
    “He’s lovely!” Ellie said shyly.
    Liz nodded. “Yes, he is. He’s such a character. But he’s just a bit too bouncy for some people. He’s actually had one home already, with an older couple. I’m afraid they brought him back after two days.