Too Big to Run Read Free Page A

have to go in the quarantine room first?” Adam asked.
    â€œThe quarantine room is full right now,” Kitty replied. “Besides, this dog’s former owners brought his vet records. He’s up-to-dateon everything.” She sighed. “They can’t keep him because they’re moving.”
    Janey traded a sad look with her friends. She couldn’t believe so many people gave up their pets when they moved, or for other reasons that didn’t seem very important to Janey.
    The dog sniffed at Zach, his tail wagging nonstop. Then he barked and leaped against his legs, as if trying to climb right up into Zach’s arms.
    Zach laughed and hoisted him up for a hug. “Aw, he’s really friendly!” he exclaimed as the dog eagerly licked his face from chin to forehead. “What’s his name?”
    â€œAce,” Kitty said. “He’s a Lab mix.”
    â€œHe’s small for a Lab mix,” Adam commented.
    â€œYes,” Janey said with a thoughtful smile. “I’d definitely call him medium-sized, wouldn’t you?”
    â€œI suppose so.” Kitty took Ace back from Zach and led him to the empty kennel. “Here you go, boy. I hope you like your new home.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Janey said, still smiling. “I doubt he’ll be there for long.”
    â€œHope not.” Kitty headed for the door. “Well, I’d better go finish his paperwork.”
    She hurried out. Zach kneeled and poked his fingers in through the bars so Ace could lick them. Meanwhile, Lolli stared at Janey.
    â€œLet me guess,” she said. “You think Ace should be Mrs. Reed’s new therapy dog?”
    â€œHe’s perfect!” Janey stuck her fingersin beside Zach’s and giggled as Ace licked them, then leaped away to sniff at his new water dish. “He’s definitely friendly, right? And he’s medium-sized.”
    Adam looked dubious as he watched Ace race over to stare at the dog in the next kennel. “He seems pretty hyper,” he said. “I’m not sure that’s going to work for a therapy dog.”
    Janey shrugged. “He’s just excited to meet us. I’m sure he’ll be fine once he has a new owner and a new job as a therapy dog to keep him busy.” She straightened up and looked at her friends. “Okay, that’s one animal helped!” she declared. “Now let’s talk about Maxi’s fundraiser.”

Brainstorming
    By Monday at lunchtime, the Pet Rescue Club still hadn’t settled on what kind of fundraiser to have for Maxi. They’d been too busy to talk much at the shelter on Saturday. On Sunday, Janey had plans with her family and Adam had several extra dog-sitting clients. So the kids hadn’t been able to meet then.
    â€œHow about a bake sale?” Janey licked some crumbs off her fingers. “My mom’s gardening club had one last year. It was fun.”

    â€œA bake sale?” Zach wrinkled his nose. “Sounds kind of girly.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with being girly?” Janey shot back.
    â€œIt could be a bake sale where we just sold dog treats, maybe,” Adam suggested.
    â€œDo you know how to make dog treats?” Lolli asked.
    Adam shrugged. “No. But we could look up recipes on the Internet.”
    â€œSounds complicated,” Zach said. “Anyway, buying all those ingredients would be expensive. We’d have to sell a whole lot of dog treats to make enough to pay for Maxi’s surgery.”
    â€œMaybe he’s right.” Lolli sipped her drink “We need something simpler.”
    â€œAnd something that will make a lot of money,” Janey added.
    Adam shrugged. “Okay. What about an auction? We could ask businesses to donate stuff and then auction it off.”
    â€œThat sounds pretty complicated, too,” Zach said.
    Janey nodded. “And it would take too long,” she said. “Maxi needs