Too Big to Run Read Free Page B

help pronto, remember?”
    By the time the bell rang to end lunch,nobody had come up with a good plan. Janey felt frustrated.
    â€œWe need to think of something,” she said. “Let’s meet after school.”
    â€œI can’t,” Adam said. “I’m going to the dentist.”
    â€œAnd I told my mom I’d help update the computers at the clinic right after school,” Zach said.
    Janey frowned. How were they going to help Maxi if they couldn’t even find a time to meet, let alone come up with a good idea for a fundraiser? “Okay, what about tomorrow after school?” she said.
    â€œThat’s fine with me,” Lolli agreed.
    Adam shrugged. “I only have a couple of clients,” he said. “I could meet you guys right after that.”
    â€œI’m in,” Zach said. “But wait—shouldn’t we tell Matthew about all this?”
    â€œDefinitely,” Lolli agreed as she gathered up her lunch bag. “Maybe he’ll have some fundraising ideas.”
    â€œMatthew’s supposed to stop by and pick up more medicine today, remember?” Zach said. “Maybe I’ll see him while I’m at the clinic.”
    â€œIf you do, tell him about our plan,” Janey said. “In the meantime, everyone keep thinking.”

    After school, Janey and Lolli walked to the animal shelter. Lolli’s father had agreed to pick them up there later.
    â€œIs Ace still here?” Janey asked Kitty when they walked in.
    Kitty nodded. “Yes, he’s here,” she said. “I haven’t even had time to put his picture on the website yet.”
    â€œWe could take his picture if you want,” Lolli offered.
    â€œThanks, that would be great.” Kitty reached under the desk for a digital camera. “You could take him for a walk in the courtyard and try to get some pictures there.” She laughed. “Good luck getting him to stay still long enough to get a good shot!”
    Janey grabbed a leash off the rack near the dog room door. Volunteers at the shelter weren’t allowed to take animals off the property without a staff person along. But they could take dogs into the enclosed courtyard at the back of the building.
    â€œHi there, Acey-Wacey!” Janey sangout as she and Lolli reached the new dog’s kennel. “Ready for your close-up? We’re going to make you look adorable!”
    â€œI’m surprised you’re so excited about taking his picture,” Lolli said. “What if someone sees him on the website and adopts him before Mrs. Reed gets to meet him?”
    â€œDon’t worry, I already thought of that.” Janey opened the kennel door and smiled as Ace rushed out and leaped against her legs. “I’m going to e-mail the pictures we take to Zach’s mom and ask her to forward them to Mrs. Reed.”
    â€œOh!” Lolli’s eyes widened. “Good idea.”
    Ace pulled eagerly on the leash as they headed out of the dog room. “Hang on, Ace,” Janey said with a giggle. “Wait for us!”
    Ace barked and spun around, getting theleash tangled around his legs. Janey untangled it, then hurried toward the door.
    The courtyard was small but sunny. It was paved around the outside, but the middle part was grass. The shelter building’s walls surrounded it on three sides, with a high brick wall at the back.
    Ace barked as he dashed onto the grass. After that, he hardly stopped moving. He leaped up to snap at a passing butterfly, dug at the ground, and sniffed at everything.

    â€œWow,” Lolli said. “He sure has a lot of energy.”
    â€œHe’ll need it to be a therapy dog,” Janey said. “It sounds like Mrs. Reed goes to a lot of places. Now hand me the camera and let’s get started on our photo shoot!”

    â€œThere, that’s done.” Janey looked up from her tablet computer. “Now let’s brainstorm ideas for