Buddy by Ellen Miles Read Free Book Online

bully him around anymore!
    “Hey, you,” Mom said to Buddy as she picked him up to give him a hug. “Leave your poor sister alone.” She nuzzled her nose into Buddy’s neck. Then Lizzie heard her sniff.
    “Mom!” Lizzie said. “You’re crying.”
    “Am not!” Mom answered. “Maybe I just became allergic to dogs.”
    But Lizzie and Charles knew the truth. Mom had fallen in love with all the puppies, just like they had. And of all the puppies, everyone in the Peterson family loved Buddy best. Maybe it was because he’d needed their help most of all. Maybe it was because he was so small and cute. Whatever it was, the Petersons were going to have a very, very hard time saying good-bye to Buddy.
    Over the next few days, the Petersons spent as much time as they could with the puppies. Mom kept feeding Buddy by hand, even though he had finally gotten strong enough to push his sisters aside when he was hungry. Lizzie and Maria took dozens of pictures of the puppies for a scrapbook they were making. Dad brought home new puppy collars for each of them: red for Cinnamon, purple for Cocoa, green for Buddy. And Charles and Sammy played with the puppies for hours, trying to teach them manners for their new homes.
    Wednesday arrived all too soon. After dinner, Dr. Gibson was the first to arrive. She got right down on the kitchen floor and played with the puppies while she checked them over. “These are the healthiest pups I’ve ever seen!” she said after a few minutes. “Even the little guy is in great shape now.” She took off her stethoscope. “I’d say they’re ready to go,” she said. “Looks like their mom thinks so, too.”
    It was true that Skipper had become less and less patient with the puppies. She still cuddled with them when they were sleepy, but she didn’t put up with their play-biting or baby growls. She let them know that she deserved respect, batting them away with her paw when they got too rough.
    Jerry Small and Mary Thompson arrived next. “Where are those sweet girls?” Mary asked, coming into the kitchen. “Oh, you cuties! I can’t wait to take you home.” She sat down on the floor and pulled Cinnamon and Cocoa onto her lap.
    Jerry Small looked uncomfortable. Lizzie wondered why he wasn’t picking Buddy up. “Listen,” he said to the Petersons. “I have good news and bad news.”
    “Well, tell us the good news first,” said Dad.
    “Business is booming,” reported Jerry, with a big smile. “Lucky Dog Books has been incredibly busy all week. Our grand-opening party really did the trick. Now everyone knows I’m there.”
    “So what’s the bad news?” asked Charles. Heheld his breath. Could it really be what he
hoped
it would be?
    “Well,” said Jerry, “I guess the bad news is that I think the store is too busy for such a young puppy. I’m afraid that Buddy wouldn’t get the attention he deserves.”
    “So — you’re not going to have a dog at the store after all?” Lizzie asked. She saw Jerry and Mary exchange a look.
    “I’d still like to have a dog,” Jerry said. “I was wondering if I could adopt Skipper. I think she’d love it at the store.” He bent to pat Skipper’s ears. “What do you think, girl? Want to come be a bookstore dog?”
    Skipper thumped her tail.
    “I think that means yes,” said Dad. “That’s wonderful news, Jerry. Of course Skipper needs a home, too. And I’m sure she would love to be a bookstore dog.”
    “But what about Buddy?” Jerry asked.
    Now Lizzie saw her mother and father exchangea look. She crossed her fingers. Mom gave a tiny nod.
    “I think Buddy has already found a home,” said Mom. “Right here with us.” She went to scoop up the tan puppy and give him a hug. Dad put one arm around her shoulders and reached the other hand around to tickle Buddy under the chin.
    Lizzie and Charles whooped.
    “Finally, we have a puppy of our own!” yelled Charles.
    “Buddy! Buddy! Buddy!” chanted the Bean, dancing around the