That Furball Puppy and Me by Carol Wallace, Bill Wallance Read Free Book Online Page A

hurt. With my teeth I pulled the things out. I backed up and shook the snow from my fur.
    For a long time I chased mice in the pine trees. The thick blanket of needles and snow helped protect the few mice that were hidden there. When I grew tired, I headed back toward the porch.
    The tip of Callie’s tail was all that I saw disappearing into the house. The door shut behind it. Jumping up on the window ledge, I meowed as loudly as I could. The fireplace was crackling inside. I tucked my face behind my paws.
    I thought about what Callie had told me. The dog was outside, but here I was, outside, too! I could hear the puppy yapping in the backyard. If he kept that up,
he
would get to go back into the house. I would be the one stuck out here on the porch all night.
    It was nearly dark when Mama finally let me in. I rubbed her leg. Putting my face near her knee, I pressed my whiskers against her. Shepicked me up and laid me on my back. I relaxed in her arms. Mama rubbed my tummy, chin, and face. It felt wonderful.
    When she finally set me down, I ran for the food bowl. It was empty! Callie had eaten every bite! I meowed as loud as I could, then I trotted to the living room to tell Mama.
    â€œPoor Gray! What’s wrong with you?”
    Mama followed me back to the kitchen. She found some scraps of meat and warm milk to put into the bowl. I gobbled it down, then headed for the bedroom. Callie had some explaining to do!
    I hopped on the bed. All I could see was Callie’s back.
    â€œHey, why didn’t you leave me any cat food? I’ve been out in the cold most of the day. You always leave me plenty of food!”
    â€œBad Cats don’t deserve good cat food!” Callie didn’t even lift her head.
    â€œI’m not a Bad Cat! You’re the Bad Cat!” I whined.
    Callie stretched slightly and looked me in the eye. “Do you know where the poor little puppy is?”
    â€œOut in the cold, I hope!” I meowed.
    â€œGuess again, Bad Cat! They put him out in the barn! He’s so little…. The barn is so bigand empty” She turned her head to look at me. Her eyes narrowed. “It’s all your fault, Bad Cat!”

    A sudden chill raced from the base of my tail clear up to my ears. It was warm and cozy in the bedroom. The chill shot up my back again.
    â€œDid you say ‘the barn’?”
    â€œThe barn!” Callie repeated with a twitch of her nose.
    My eyes flashed. I leaped from the bed and raced to the front door.
    â€œMee … ow!” I yowled. “Let me out. Let me out now!”
    I ran to the playroom door. Mama was curled up on the couch with papers in her hands.
    â€œMee … owwww!” I howled.
    â€œWhat is wrong with you, Cat?” Mama stood up and walked toward me.
    â€œLet me out!” I led her to the front door.
    Instead of opening the door, Mama picked me up and headed back toward the playroom.
    â€œMee … owwww! Let me out!” I struggled to get away from her. Twisting and turning, I managed to drop to the rug. I raced back to the door.
    Daddy laid down the magazine he was reading. “He must be too hot with the fireplace going. Let him out. He’ll want back in pretty quick!”
    Callie appeared in the hall, trying to see what the commotion was.
    I clawed at the wood on the front door. As soon as Mama opened it, I shot out. The icy air hit me in the face, but I scooted toward the lilac bushes.
    Tiny whimpering sounds came from the barn.
    It was
my
fault! I had to do something! I just hoped I wasn’t too late.

CHAPTER 9
    I ce covered the long branches of the lilac bushes that lined the driveway. The wind made it crackle as I raced by. I stopped at the barn, listening. There was no sound except for the puppy, whimpering inside. I gently crept toward the doorway. It was shut tight.
    I raced around to the side of the barn. There was a hole, big enough for me to get in. I squeezed through and peered inside. Dark