Harry the Homeless Puppy (7 page)

Chapter Eight

It was just over a week later, and Grace was sitting in her new bedroom. It was much bigger than her old one, but she hadn’t finished unpacking her things yet. She just couldn’t summon up the energy. Mum kept telling her to get on, but Grace couldn’t help stopping to look out of her window, imagining Harry playing out there. If she
half-closed 
her eyes, she could almost see him, hiding under that big bush, getting ready to leap out at her…

Grace rubbed her hand across her eyes. Harry had a new home now. It was a lovely family Sally had said, when she went back to help at the shelter. He would be over the moon, with so many people to love him. The tears started to run down her cheeks again as she pictured him, curled up on a bed just like this one, while a girl the same age as her stroked him gently.

Harry was pulling anxiously at his lead as Sam Ashcroft coaxed him to chase the ball. The children were so bouncy and excited, and it was just too much for him. Harry had had such a hard time recently – moving around all over the place, and having to get used to so many new people. He simply wasn’t ready for three energetic children who wanted him to play all the time.

“Why won’t he chase it?” Sam asked crossly. “I’ve been trying for ages.”

“Maybe he’s tired?” Luke suggested. “Mum’s over there chatting to that lady from school, we’d better tell her.”

“But I don’t want to go home!” Lily wailed, and Harry flinched at the noise.

Mrs Ashcroft said goodbye to her friend and walked over to the children. “Come on, guys, we need to get home. Sally from the shelter’s coming to see how we’re doing with Harry.”

Harry plodded along the pavement with Luke, jumping when cars whooshed past. Everything seemed frightening at the moment. He wished he could just curl up in his basket, and everyone would leave him alone. His ears were tensely pricked for the whole walk, and when a piece of litter blew in front of him, he gave a sharp, frightened little bark.

Mrs Ashcroft looked at him worriedly, but she didn’t say anything.

The children were even noisier than usual when they got home. After Lily
had nearly run him over twice with her doll’s pram, Harry decided to take drastic action. He hid under the sofa. It was quiet, it was dark, and nobody could find him to make him chase balls, or jump into boxes, or even just to hug him. He didn’t want to be hugged right now.

The doorbell rang, and Harry shuddered as the children thundered down the hallway to the door.

“I just don’t know where he could’ve got to,” Mrs Ashcroft was saying worriedly. “We came back from our walk about twenty minutes ago. He must have slipped away somewhere.”

“Is he settling in well?” It was a familiar voice. Harry was sure he knew it. It wasn’t Grace, but it made him
think of her. He poked his nose out from under the sofa so as to hear better.

“There he is!” Lily shrieked, and Harry promptly shot back underneath.

Lily crouched down to peer under the sofa, and Harry backed away from her. She swept her hand underneath, and called to him to come out. Harry barked anxiously. Why wouldn’t they just leave him alone?

“Lily, stop that!” Mrs Ashcroft said worriedly. “Now, Lily!”

Harry was still barking, a sharp, unhappy bark that sounded like a warning.
Leave me alone! Go away!

Lily scrambled up, her bottom lip wobbling. “I don’t like it when he barks like that,” she said tearfully.

Mrs Ashcroft sighed, and looked at Sally. “I was hoping to be able to tell you he was starting to settle in,” she said. “But I just don’t think he is. The children have tried really hard, but I think we’re a bit too much for him to take. He’s a lovely little dog, but he just doesn’t seem very happy.”

Sally nodded sadly. “I think you’re right. I’ve got a dog-carrier in my car. I’m so sorry it hasn’t worked out.
Hopefully we can find you another dog, one that’s used to a busy house.” Mrs Ashcroft and the children left Sally to coax Harry out, which she managed by being very quiet, and opening a packet of dog treats. Then it was back to the animal shelter – again.

“He really is the boomerang dog, isn’t he?” Sally sighed, as she and Mandy watched Harry eating his breakfast on Sunday morning.

“It’s such a pity Grace couldn’t take him home,” Mandy said. “She built up such a fantastic relationship with him.”

Sally nodded, then she smiled slowly.
“Of course! You’ve given me a brilliant idea! I wonder if Grace and Danny are coming in today? I might give their mum and dad a call.”

She came back out of reception smiling. “They’ll be here shortly. I can’t wait to see Grace’s reaction.”

Mandy was frowning. “But I thought you’d decided that Harry loving Grace so much was stopping him settling with a new owner? Are you sure you want him to see her again?”

Sally nodded. “But I didn’t tell you – the family’s moved. They wanted to adopt Harry, but he’d already gone to the Ashcrofts. They were going to think about another dog when they felt ready. And I’ve told them that the perfect dog has just arrived…”

Grace pushed open the door to the dogs’ area, leading the way for Mum and Dad and Danny. Her hands felt sweaty, and slipped on the door handle. She was so nervous. Sally had said that a wonderful new dog had arrived, one who would be perfect for Grace and her family.

Why wasn’t she happy?

All she could think of was Harry. She tried desperately to picture him with those other children, having a brilliant time. This other dog really needed a home, too.

“You all right?” Danny asked her, looking at her thoughtfully.

“I suppose,” Grace whispered. “It just feels odd.”
“I know.” He sighed. “But this dog will be fab, too.”

Grace grabbed his arm. “Look!”

Sally was walking down the passage, carrying a puppy in her arms. A Jack Russell puppy, white with brown patches, whose ears pricked up as he heard Grace’s voice. He gave one joyful bark, and twisted right out of Sally’s hold, leaping to the ground, his paws scrabbling frantically as he raced towards them.

“Harry! It’s Harry!” Grace scooped him up, and he licked her face delightedly, all over, then generously leaned out of her arms to lick Danny, too. He’d missed Grace so much, and she’d come, she’d come back for him!

Sally grinned. “Told you I had the perfect dog…”

“I can’t believe it,” Grace whispered, hugging Harry tightly. “Thank you so much!” she told Sally.

Sally smiled at her. “I’m just glad he’s found the right home at last. I don’t think he’ll be coming back to us again. But you have to do me one favour. Will you write to Beth, his old owner, for me? Tell her all about Harry’s new home?”

“Of course!” Grace nodded eagerly.
Harry looked round to see Sally fetching his basket and toys out of the run, and handing them to Danny. She gave Grace his lead. Harry’s stubby little tail wagged delightedly as Grace clipped it on. He’d never seen Grace look this happy before. He gave her a hopeful look. If his basket and his toys were coming…

Grace was staring at him with shining eyes. “Oh, Harry! You’re really coming home with us. We don’t have to say goodbye this time.”