The More the Merrier by Stephanie Barden Read Free Book Online Page B

right behind him was his dog!

    I could not stop myself from staring at that dog. For one thing, I love dogs. But for two things, he was all black, not white with black spots. I started to worry that he’d gotten his fur burned in a fire; and even though it wasn’t time for questions, I almost had to raise my hand and interrupt.
    Luckily, quiet Zachary interrupted instead. “He doesn’t look like a firefighting dog.”
    â€œYou’re right,” said Jack’s grandpa. “His name is Ashes, and he’s a black Lab.”
    â€œPhew,” I said out loud on accident.
    Jack’s grandpa laughed. “Firefighters have all kinds of dogs now, not just Dalmatians.”
    â€œHow come?” asked Charlie.
    â€œWhen firefighters used to get to fires in horse-drawn wagons, Dalmatians were good at keeping the horses calm,” said Jack’s grandpa. “But we don’t use horses anymore, and we don’t bring dogs to fires. Now we can have whatever kind of dog we want.”
    Ashes had been sitting quietly by Jack’s grandpa’s feet, but he started whining and pulling on his leash.
    â€œAshes likes to explore new places,” said Jack’s grandpa. “Is it okay with everyone if I let him wander around?”
    â€œI’m allergic to dogs,” said Rosemary T.
    â€œYou’re not allergic to our dog,” said Abby.
    â€œOnly big ones,” said Rosemary T.
    â€œWhy don’t you sit at my desk,” said Mr. Harrison. “I’ll make sure Ashes doesn’t get too close to you.”
    Rosemary T. circled wide around Ashes and sat in Mr. Harrison’s chair. As soon as she was settled, Jack’s grandpa let go of Ashes’s leash, and he started roaming around the classroom. He walked around tables and sniffed at people’s backpacks and let them pet him when he walked by. I tried to pay attention to everything Jack’s grandpa was saying, but Ashes kept distracting me. He took a long time getting to our table; but when he finally did, he got very interested in my clogs. He sniffed and sniffed and licked the one that was covered in puppy teeth marks from when Ralph, our neighbor’s dog, had stolen it. Finally he plopped down right next to me and stuck his nose into my clog as far as it would go and let out a big sigh.

    The whole classroom laughed, and I looked up. I had been so busy watching Ashes that I didn’t realize that everyone else was watching him too.
    â€œIt looks like he found a good spot,” said Jack’s grandpa.
    I reached down and gave Ashes some rubs.
    â€œIt looks like he’s in love with Cinderella’s smelly shoe,” said Jack.
    â€œOr maybe he’s just in love with Cinderella,” said Jack’s grandpa.
    The class made a big Ooooh noise, and I decided to set the record straight.
    â€œHe’s not in love with me. I bet he just likes the warm heater, and he thinks my clog is a dog toy. My aunt’s cat has been staying with us this week, and she likes warm places and toys too.”
    â€œSo does my hamster,” said Zachary, so I guess his quietness is maybe going away.
    â€œSo does our dog, Fletcher,” said Abby.
    I looked over at her and smiled.
    â€œMy snake likes warm places,” said Trevor, “but he doesn’t like toys.”
    Half the class said “Awesome” about Trevor’s snake and the other half said “Ooh, yuck.”
    â€œOrder! Order!” called Mr. Harrison.
    Which we did, but then it was time for Jack’s grandpa to go. And it was very sad, because Ashes had to leave and he did not want to one bit. Jack’s grandpa had to sort of drag him out by his leash, and he almost made it out of the classroom with my clog in his mouth. Luckily Charlie noticed and got it back.

    â€œParting is such sweet sorrow,” said Mr. Harrison. “But we’ll have another exciting visitor tomorrow, right,