said, pulling up in front of the shelter. âYou know, Iâm proud of you girls for helping out the community like this, even though weâre not getting a dog.â
âThanks, Dad,â Aly said, her heart dropping into her stomach.
âYeah, thanks,â Brooke said, looking just as sad as Aly felt.
When the girls got out of the car, Mrs. Franklin and Sadie were waiting for them just inside the doorâdressed, as usual, like twins: Sadie wore yellow and pink bows on her ears. Mrs. Franklin had on a yellow-and-pink-striped hat.
âIâm so glad youâre here,â Mrs. Franklin said. âYour friends are already inside.â
Charlotte, Lily, and Sophie were planning to help. And Jenica was going to be around, volunteering.
Aly and Brooke followed Mrs. Franklin through the shelter and waved at Irena, who was in the middle of a cat adoption. They finally reached the old-timersâ room. âIâll be right back, girls,â Mrs. Franklin said as she headed back down the hallway. âI have to let Isaac know youâre here.â
Miss Nina was already in the room, with Bob walking behind her on a leash. Lily, Sophie, and Charlotte were there too.
âOooh, he looks so fluffy!â Charlotte squealed, kneeling down next to Bob. Miss Nina handed herBobâs leash and went to get Marjorie out of her cage.
âHi, Bob,â Charlotte said. âDo you like it when people call you Bobby?â
Bob licked Charlotteâs hand, and she laughed.
âAre you going to adopt him tomorrow?â Aly asked, putting her bag of dog accessories on the floor.
âI think so,â Charlotte said. âMy dad wants us to come here with Minerva to make sure they like each other. If they do, Bobâs coming home with me.â
âIâm getting Melvin,â Brooke said.
Aly closed her eyes and started counting Mississippis so she wouldnât scream at her sister. âStop it, Brooke,â she whispered.
âThe slobbery one?â Lily asked. âIck. I didnât think anyone was going to take him. Are you sure thatâs the one you want?â
âWeâre not getting a dog,â Aly said. âBrookeâs just pretending. Right, Brooke?â
Brooke looked like she was about to cry. âI guess.â She frowned.
âIâd pretend to get Sparky,â Sophie said. âHeâs so cute, with those comic-book eyes. But Iâm not allowed to have another petâjust my gerbil.â
âIâd pretend to get Sparky too,â Aly said. Then she walked over to his cage. âHey, where is he?â
âHeâs in the back, waiting for his bath,â Sophie said. âMiss Nina and the other groomers just started. Theyâve got Bob, Laces, and Murphy done. And Marjorieâs back there now, along with Frida and Sparky.â
Bob started barking when Irena walked into the room with Isaac, Mrs. Franklin, and Sadie.
âLetâs set you up in that corner over there,â Irena said. âIsaacâs going to be taking pictures. And donât worry if things get a little messy with the dogs.â
Aly looked down at her T-shirt and jeans. She was glad she wasnât wearing any of her favorite clothes.
Irena continued, âThere are towels and treats for the dogs, and a basket for all your dog polish.â
âItâs called paw-lish,â Brooke told her. âAnd Hound Dog Blues is going to be the doggy Color of the Week.â She giggled. âI mean, the Color of the Day.â
Irena laughed. âExcuse me,â she said. âPaw-lish. Anyway, Iâll be coming in and out, but Nina said sheâll keep an eye on you and the dogs. Isaac will be here too, if you need anything.â
âOkay,â Aly said, glancing up at Isaac. He smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.
âAnd,â Irena said, leaning against one of the empty cages, âon behalf of the whole shelter: Thank