The Lonely Pony Read Free Page A

home!”

Project Pony
    Val looked surprised. “The what club?” she said. “Oh, but never mind—I don’t want to bother you kids with our problems.”
    Her husband smiled at Janey and the others. “Yes, we’ll work it out.”
    â€œNo, really!” Zach said. “We have a club that helps pets find new homes and stuff.”
    â€œThey really do,” Dr. Goldman said with a nod. “They’ve helped several local pets already.” She told the couple about Truman and the other animals the Pet Rescue Club had helped.
    Val looked impressed. “How wonderful! What do you think, Tom? Maybe they can help us after all.”

    â€œWe definitely can,” Janey said. “Lola is so cute, I’m sure it won’t take long at all to find her the perfect new home.”
    â€œWhat a relief,” Val exclaimed. “See, we’re scheduled to leave on a road trip inabout a week to visit our son. He lives out of state, so we were planning to stay for a couple of weeks.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Tom added. “We were worried we’d have to hurry to find something to do with Lola before we leave.”
    â€œWell, now you don’t have to worry,” Janey said. “Not with the Pet Rescue Club on the job.” She knew they would have to work fast to find Lola a new home before the Valentines left on their trip next week. But she was sure they could do it.
    â€œTerrific,” Tom said. “Can you take her today?”
    â€œToday?” Janey gulped and glanced at the others. “Um . . .”
    â€œWe could call the shelter and see if they can take Lola in,” Lolli suggested.
    â€œYeah.” Zach grinned. “She’s not any bigger than a Great Dane or something. She’d totally fit in one of the large dog runs!”
    â€œWell, I’ve never seen a horse there, but I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask.” Dr. Goldman dug into her pocket. “Here, you can use my cell phone.”
    Janey took the phone and dialed the familiar number. When Kitty answered, she explained the situation.

    â€œWe were hoping you could keep Lola at the shelter until we find her a home,” Janey finished. “It probably won’t take long.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Janey,” Kitty said. “I’m afraid we don’t have the facilities to take care of farm animals—not even small ones. I could call the shelter over in Lakeville for you, though. They have a couple of goats and a potbellied pig there right now, and I’m pretty sure they’ve taken in horses in the past.”
    â€œLakeville?” Janey clutched the phone to her ear. “But that’s almost an hour’s drive away! How can we help her if she’s not even close by?”
    â€œWhat?” Zach whispered loudly, poking her on the arm. “What’s she saying? What was that about Lakeville?”
    â€œSsh!” Janey hushed him. Kitty was talking again. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that? Zach was yapping in my ear.”
    Kitty chuckled. “I said, I could ask around about finding a foster home—maybe one of the farms outside of town could keep her for a few days.”
    â€œThat sounds good. Hang on, let me tell the others.” Janey lowered the phone. “Kitty says maybe she can help us find a foster home for Lola. She thinks one of the farms around here might be willing to take her in until we find her a permanent home.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Dr. Goldman said, and the Valentines nodded.
    But Lolli gasped. “Wait,” she exclaimed. “I live on a farm!”
    Janey blinked at her. “Um, yeah, weknow.” Then she gasped, too. “Wait! Are you saying—”

    â€œWhat if I’m the foster home?” Lolli cried before Janey could finish. “Me and my parents, I mean. We have plenty of room in our pasture. And we already have the