Buttons the Runaway Puppy Read Free

handful at the moment though. She’s got so much energy.”
    Buttons was darting here and there, sniffing excitedly at the scents of other dogs and people. Sophie laughed as she followed her, but she could see that such a bouncy little dog would be hard work for Mr Jenkins.

    “I really need to take her to some dog-training classes, but we just haven’t been able to get out much recently. Soon though,” Mr Jenkins added, as he watched Buttons racing about.
    “Where did you get her from?” Sophie asked, wishing she could have a beautiful chocolate-coloured dog like Buttons.
    “She came from a breeder who lives over on the other side of town. I got my last two dogs from him as well, but they were golden Labradors. Buttons is the first chocolate one I’ve had.”
    “Buttons is such a brilliant name for a chocolate Labrador,” Sophie told him, giggling.
    “Ah, that wasn’t me. It was my granddaughter Phoebe’s idea. She thought it was really funny.”
    “Does she live round here?” Sophie asked. “I don’t know anyone called Phoebe at school.”
    “No.” Mr Jenkins shook his head, sadly. “My son had to move with work earlier in the year. They live in Scotland now. I try and get up to see them, but I do miss her.”
    Sophie nodded. “That’s sad. My grandad lives in France; we don’t see him much either. And my nan and my other grandad live in London, ages away. We phone them lots, but it isn’t the same as seeing them, is it?”
    Mr Jenkins sighed. “Not at all. Phoebe hasn’t even seen Buttons yet; I got her six weeks ago. I’ve sent some photos.”
    Buttons was enjoying following allthe delicious smells, and with Sophie holding her lead, she could go as fast as she liked. She was sure that there had been a mouse along here recently. It had gone this way, stopped here, then doubled back over here – oh! She was almost at the water’s edge. She stepped back, whining. She loved to look at the water, but she didn’t want to be in it.
    Buttons looked up gratefully at Sophie, who was gripping her lead tightly. She was very glad that Sophie had been there to pull her out before. She knew she shouldn’t have run off from Mr Jenkins like that, but they’d been going so slowly. Still she wouldn’t do it again, it was far too dangerous. She wouldn’t run away ever again…

Chapter Three
    Sophie and the boys said goodbye to Mr Jenkins at the door. The old man was very grateful, and told Sophie that she was quick-thinking and helpful, and she reminded him of his granddaughter.
    “That’s all right,” Sophie said, blushing, as she took her bike back from Tom. “I’m glad I was there to catch her.”
    Sophie watched as Mr Jenkins let himself and Buttons into the house, then she and the boys pedalled home excitedly.
    Luckily Mum and Dad were having a break from painting, so they were able to listen to Sophie when she dashed in, full of her news.
    “Well done, Sophie.” Her dad smiled, but then he looked worried. “I hope you were careful, though. A big dog like a Labrador could’ve easily pulled you in, too.”
    “Oh no, Dad, Buttons is only little – she’s just a puppy,” Sophie explained. Then she noticed that Michael and Tom were making faces at her behind Dad’s back and added, “And Tom and Mike were only a bit ahead of me; they’dhave pulled me out if I had fallen in.”
    Her mum shuddered. “Well, thank goodness you didn’t.”
    “I think Soph deserves an ice cream for being clever,” her dad put in. “I could do with one too, after all that painting. Want to run down to the shop?”
    “Oooh, yes!” And Sophie gave him a hug, carefully minding the painty bits.
    When they were all sitting round in the garden eating their ice creams, Sophie said thoughtfully, “Mum, do you think Mr Jenkins would like me to walk Buttons for him while his leg’s bad? He said he’d have to take it easy for a couple more days, but I think a dog like Buttons needs proper walks every day.”
    Mum and