Thanks for Nothing (From the Files of Madison Finn, 5) (2 page)

Madison added a few more words to the search to find dog links closer to home. She typed in DOG, FAR HILLS, NEW YORK—separated by the required commas. A familiar name popped up.

Madison knew this vet!

Far Hills
Animal Shelter, Clinic,
Dog
Boarding


Welcome from Bryan Wing, DVM, and staff. Full service, referrals,
dog
boarding, Tales of Homeless Pets, Breed Tips,
dog
grooming care. Volunteers needed!


Dr. Wing was married to Madison’s computer teacher, Mrs. Wing. This was the direct link for Dr. Wing’s Web site.

On the site’s home page there was a photograph of a basset hound that looked just like Aimee’s dog, Blossom. That dissolved slowly into a photo of a yellow Labrador retriever (who was really more cream colored than yellow) and a teeny dachshund named Rosebud. More flashing type at the bottom of the screen read:
Come and visit our offices!
There was a teeny photograph of Dr. Wing and a short letter underneath that.

Welcome to Far Hills Animal Shelter and Clinic! We’re glad you’ve stopped into the section of our “virtual” animal shelter. For ten years, my team has been dedicated to pet rescue and care in Far Hills. Working with shelters, veterinarians, and other concerned businesses, we hope to eliminate our homeless pet problem and care for sick and abandoned animals in our area. Won’t you please become a volunteer and help out?


“Rooooowowf!” Phin barked. He was curled up into a ball by the base of Madison’s purple chair. Madison scratched Phin’s head.

The idea of helping out at the animal shelter seemed so exciting. Maybe this year’s Thanksgiving didn’t have to be for the turkeys after all? Maybe this Thanksgiving could be for the
dogs
instead?

Phin would
definitely
love that.

Animals


Mom thinks I should still be taking flute lessons, but I am soooo over the musical instrument thing. I am going to be an animal volunteer. That makes more sense, since I have loved animals my entire life.


Here is a list of all the pets that I have had:


1. Sea monkeys in a plastic jar.


2. Goldfish named Peanut Butter and Jelly because one was yellow and the other was sort of purple.


3. Ick, my cat. I named him that because he threw up fur balls a lot.


4. Phinnie, the best dog ever. I love, my pug better than any pet!


My biggest wish in life would be to live on a farm or near a zoo or in the apartment over Wink’s pet shop in Far Hills so I could see more animals all the time and Phin would have more animals to play with. I wonder what the shelter will be like? Dr. Wing’s Web site says they take care of sick animals and do “animal rescue.” I wonder if that’s some kind of animal SWAT team?


Rude Awakening:
It’s a dog-meet-dog world and I want to be part of it RIGHT NOW.


“What a wonderful idea, Maddie,” Mom said when Madison told her about the Far Hills Animal Shelter. “I’m happy that you want to volunteer—especially at Thanksgiving time. And it’s only a short ride over there. We can drive over today to check it out.”

As Mom drove them to the clinic downtown, Madison could feel her entire body humming.
Would the animals at the clinic like her? Would she like the animals? What would Dr. Wing say when he saw her?

Madison fussed and twisted in the car’s front seat. The belt felt so snug. She couldn’t stay still. This ride was taking forever!

“Well, there’s the clinic,” Mom announced. “At last!”

She pointed to a squat-looking, pink cement building with an iron gate and planters filled with mums out front. A teeny neon sign blinked
HOSPITAL
under a bigger, painted, wood sign that bore the clinic’s name:
FAR HILLS ANIMAL SHELTER.

“Maddie, are you going to just sit there or are we going inside?” Mom teased. Madison led the way as they got out of the car.

“It looks nice from the outside, right. Mom?” Madison said as she approached the clinic slowly. Each stepping-stone was shaped like a dog bone.

“Doggies everywhere,” Mom said, pointing out photos of different dog breeds on a poster in the clinic window. “Phin sure would be jealous.”

“Hiya!” chirped a blond woman wearing a white lab coat and a purple T-shirt. The shirt read
I’M FOR FUR-FREE.
She introduced herself as Eileen and stood behind the front desk like she guarded the place.

“Hi,” Madison said. “I’m looking for Dr. Wing—”

“Pet problems?” Eileen interrupted. “Well, we can help you. We got all sorts of pets here. In all shapes and sizes.”

“We’re not looking for a pet or bringing in a pet,” Mom said. “My daughter would like to volunteer. She goes to Far Hills Junior High, and she says she saw your Web—”

“Volunteer? Well, sure!” Eileen said. “Why don’t you have a seat and I can help you both in just a sec.” She stepped into a back room.

The front door of the clinic opened with a gust of air, and a bearded bald man came inside with a parrot on his shoulder. He took a seat by the door across from a woman who was holding an empty leash. Madison saw little animal hairs all over the woman’s clothes.

Pets always leave their mark on people, Madison thought. She looked down at the chew marks at the edge of her own sneaker.

“Heeere’s Gidget!” Eileen reappeared in the waiting room holding a teeny, yipping white dog. The animal made a jump for its owner, trembling and shedding more onto her black sweater.

“Come here, Gidgie-widgie, come here,” the owner cooed. The white dog looked happier than happy.

Next Eileen turned to the bearded man. “So, Mr. Walsh, it looks like Rose is losing some feathers again.”

Eileen stroked the top of the parrot’s head, and it nipped at her fingers. But she didn’t seem to mind.

“Rosie is losing as many feathers as I’m losing hair,” the old man said. “And I swear I’ve been feeding her that special seed you told me about.”

Rose squawked as Eileen took her back into the examining room. “We’ll have you all fixed up in a jiffy, Rosie. Not to worry. And you shouldn’t worry, either, Mr. Walsh.”

Madison wondered what was behind the door that everyone seemed to disappear behind. As usual, questions streamed into her mind like floodwater.

Were there several different kinds of examining rooms?

Did the clinic have an operating room, too?

Where did the animals live and stay?

Were there cages and fish tanks and fenced-in pens?

And where was Dr. Wing?

Madison stood up and craned her neck to see if she could catch a look in back. Eileen was taking longer than she said.

Meanwhile Mom was hardly noticing any of the dog or parrot activity in the waiting room. Ever since she’d begun development of her latest film project, she did work every chance she got—even in the middle of a veterinarian’s waiting room. She was busy checking work messages on her cell phone.

Madison counted red linoleum squares on the floor. She could see where dog paws and cat pads and other pet footprints had left their mark.

Eileen returned in a flurry. “So, here are the forms to fill out,” she said.

Being only twelve, Madison needed special parental permission to volunteer. Mom adjusted her cell phone on her ear and scanned the forms for a place to sign. She put her name on the line under Madison’s own signature.

Finally Madison handed the pages to Eileen. “Are you a doctor too, like Dr. Wing?” Madison asked.

Eileen winked. “More like an animal nurse. I help Dr. Wing with almost everything. And I run this place on weekends. We’re open mostly for emergencies and walk-ins.”

“If I volunteer, will I be helping you with animal rescue?” Madison asked.

“Oh,” Eileen gasped. “You’ll be helping in all sorts of ways around here.”

Eileen glanced over the pages to make sure everything was signed. Suddenly she looked up and smiled. “Well, I’ll be. You’re Madison. Madison Finn?”

“Yeah.” Madison smiled nervously. She thought something was filled out wrong. Why was Eileen saying her name that way?

“From Far Hills Junior High—you said that, didn’t you? I get the connection.” Eileen slapped her forehead. “You see, my son is also—”

Suddenly a boy walked into the waiting room.

“Madison?”

“Dan?” Madison wrinkled her brow. It was Dan Ginsburg from school. He hung around with Madison’s guy friends. Egg Diaz, Drew Maxwell, Chet Waters, and even Hart Jones. Dan was the guy who ate everyone’s dessert at lunch when they didn’t want it. In fifth grade, all the kids in middle school called him Pork-O, but they stopped doing it when he got way bigger than them. He was taller and wider than anyone in seventh grade.

“It is you!” Dan said, supersurprised. “No way!”

“So you two know each other?” Eileen smiled.

“Your son helps out here, too. Well, isn’t that nice,” Mom said, tucking her cell phone away. She seemed relieved to know that Madison wouldn’t be the only twelve-year-old being a veterinarian’s helper. Dan extended his hand to shake Mom’s.

“Hi, Mrs. Finn,” Dan said.

“This boy’s a regular Dr. Dolittle, if you ask me,” Eileen said.

Dan looked mortified. “Ma, do you have to—”

“Dan, I didn’t know you liked animals,” Madison said. “I mean, that’s so cool. I love animals more than—how come you never said anything?”

“I don’t know.” Dan seemed flustered. “I never thought about it. I’ve been coming here since I was little.”

“Cool,” Madison said. She was genuinely impressed.

After a few more words about forms and schedules, arrangements were made for Madison to officially come back and help out at the clinic Tuesday after school. Dan said he’d be there, too.

Madison and Mom thanked Eileen and said good-bye. The door jingled as they exited, and Madison grinned to herself at the bell’s tinkling. It was like a joyful ringing to mark the beginning of this new adventure. She’d be helping animals as often as she could.

Suddenly she felt less jumpy. Not only was she a real volunteer, but she even knew someone who already worked here. She couldn’t wait to tell everyone. Dad would be prouder than proud. And Aimee and Fiona would think the clinic was really cool.

On the way home, Mom stopped to pick up pizza dinner. Mom was famous for picking up takeout. Tonight Madison wouldn’t have to add to her Scary Dinner file. Sometimes when Mom felt like cooking, it was more than scary.

“Well, I guess you were right, Maddie. Maybe volunteering does beat flute lessons,” Mom said on the car ride home. “You have a great smile on your face! I wish I had a camera. And Dan seems very nice. Wasn’t he the Lion in
The Wiz
?”

Madison flashed a grin and nodded.

“Who knows, Maddie?” Mom added. “Maybe you’re destined to be a vet yourself someday.”

“Well,” Madison mused, “I could be a vet … or I could be a computer programmer … or maybe a writer. I know I want to be famous, that’s a definite.”

“You’ll be a vet on some weekday afternoons, anyway,” Mom said, turning into their driveway. “Right now, I’d like you to take Phin for a walk. Okay?”

“Okay!” Madison hopped out of the car and skipped up the front porch steps.

“WOOOOOOOOOORRRRF!” Phin snorted a combination hello and sneeze as Madison came inside. The dog jumped up and sniffed Madison’s hands and legs and jacket and sneakers.

“Phinnie!” Madison said, leaning down to greet him. “What are you doing?”

Phin smelled something. He smelled
everything.
Was it the pizza they’d picked up on the way home? Or the Far Hills Animal Shelter all over Madison’s clothes and skin? He licked her legs all over.

“Run!” Madison squealed, making a dash for the kitchen. After much petting and a handful of dog treats, Phin finally calmed down enough to go for his walk. They made their usual loop around Blueberry Street before dinner.

Madison ate a giant slice of pizza and then headed straight for her bedroom. It was getting late, and she still had science reading and math homework. She also needed to send an e-mail to Bigwheels, her online keypal.

As she logged on to TweenBlurt.com, Madison was still wired with excitement from her trip to the Far Hills Animal Shelter.

From: MadFinn


To: Bigwheels


Subject: BIG NEWS for Bigwheels


Date: Sun 12 Nov 5:23 PM


Do you like animals? Do you have a pet? I know I asked you that but I forget. I am bouncing off the walla-wallas because my mom says I can volunteer at this animal clinic in our town. Have you ever volunteered for anything? I can’t concentrate and I have to study, too. Where r u?


Please write back soon.


Yours till the puppy loves,


MadFinn


P.S. Attached is a picture of my dog, by the way. His name is Phin and he’s a pug. Isn’t he cute?


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