,"h's ,,hank
    ,a ,%ort ,tale ab a ,l;g ,dog

      ,h5ry ,w9kl] @& ,l9 ,oliv]
    ,,,illu/rat$ by scott g>rett,'



            ,9 #a ,volume
     ,brl ,pages t#a-t#b & #a-#ee
         ,pr9t ,pages #a-#abd



       ,sponsor$ & ,pres5t$ by3
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   ,produc$ at ,na;nal ,brl ,press
             www4nbp4org           t#a
  ,text copy"r ^c #bjad by ,h5ry
,w9kl] & ,l9 ,oliv] ,produc;ns1 ,9c4
  ,illu/ra;ns copy"r ^c #bjad by
,scott ,g>rett4

  ,publi%$ by ,p5gu9 ,"w%op1 an impr9t
( ,p5gu9 ,r&om ,h\se ;,,llc1 #cde
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#ajjad4

,,isbn #igh-#j-#ddh-#dgiih-#i

p5gu94com_/"yr1d]s

  ,9dya1 ,ace1 & ,lulu,-y all 9spire
me4 ,& to ,/acey1 alw,-,,hw

  ,= ,bronson ,"d ,ba_hor1 = ! happi;s
y h br"\ to u all,-,,lo

  ,= ,jakki1 a true ,,hw fan6,-,,sg




             ,"h's ,,hank           #a
    ,a ,%ort ,tale ab a ,l;g ,dog

              ,,*apt] #a

  8,hank1 ,i c see t9y bits ( tuna fi%
swimm+ >.d on yr t;gue10 my si/]1
,emily1 sd4
  8,!n don't look10 ,i told h]4 8,j
li/54 ,my m\? is full ( ^ws t >e try+
to come \40
  8,well1 ! tuna fi% is com+ \ ) !m4
,& x's gross40
  ,i put d[n my =k4 ,actually1 ,i 0
look+ = an excuse to
------------------------------------#b
put x d[n1 anyway4 ,my mom _h :ipp$ up
ano!r "o ( h] h1l?y d9n]s1 : look$ &
ta/$ l a sci;e exp]i;t4 ,if y ask me1
tuna fi% & blueb]ries d n 2l;g tgr on
! same plate4
  8,2ss1 ,i don't c>e :at y h to say10
,emily w5t on4 8,ka!r9e 0 "h f/1 & t's
t40
  ,z %e spoke1 ,i notic$ t h]       #a
t;gue didn't look s grt ei4 ,x 0   a#b
all blue f ! blueb]ries4 ,x look$ l !
5tire ,smurf family 0 liv+ 9 h] m\?4
  8,emily1 h"oy10 my mom cut
------------------------------------#c
in1 8,hank has a "r to express 8
op9ion40
  8,t's "r10 ,i sd4 8,& my op9ion is t
? family ne$s a pet40
  8,we h a pet1 & h] "n is ,ka!r9e10
,emily snapp$4
  8,ka!r9e is an iguana10 ,i answ]$4
8,all %e does is hiss & cat* flies4
,%e c't ev5 play ball4 ,we ne$ a dog40
  ,my dad /opp$ midbite & gave me a
look4
  8,:o's go+ to take c>e ( ? dog80 he
ask$4 8,a pet ne$s to 2 f$ & walk$ &
wa%$ & tau<t prop] rules ( 2havior40
------------------------------------#d
  8,& t's :at ,i want to d10 ,i sd4
8,i c't wait = t job40
  8,hank10 ,emily sd ) a si<4 8,we c't
h a dog 2c ,ka!r9e is j a baby4 ,a big
dog wd sc>e h]4 ,z h] "m1 t wd br1k my
he>t40                             a#d
  8,oh1 n[ y're h] "m80 ,i sd4 8,t
makes s5se1 actually1 2c y look alike4
,y bo? h scales on yr feet1 claws on
yr h&s1 & l;g1 /icky t;gues t collect
9sects40
  8,hank1 t's 5\<10 my mom sd4 ,%e got
up & />t$ to ga!r ! di%es4
------------------------------------#e
  ,emily got up1 too1 & h1d$ to h]
b$room4 ,%e return$ ) ,ka!r9e wrapp$
>.d h] %\ld]s l a sc>f4
  8,y're n br++ t liz>d to ! table1 >e
y80 ,i compla9$4
------------------------------------#f
  8,%e's a memb] ( ? family1 too10
,emily told me4
  ,! m9ute ,emily sat d[n 9 h] *air1
,ka!r9e :ipp$ \ h] l;g t;gue & snat*$
! la/ bite ( my butt]$ roll4 ,x 0 ! "o
?+ ,i want$ to eat4 ,i _h be5 sav+ t
bite to dr[n \ ! ta/e ( ! re/ ( d9n]4
------------------------------------#g
  8,hey1 ,ka?y60 ,i holl]$4 8,drop t
roll "r n[4 ,x's m9e40              #c
  ,x 0 too late4 ,! roll _h        a#g
4appe>$ 9to h] scaly iguana body4
,ka!r9e smil$ at me z if to say1
.7,t\< patooties1 kid4.'
  8,y see :at ,i m1n1 ,dad80 ,i sd4
8,x's n fair t ,emily c h t liz>d z a
pet4 ,%e & h] roll-/1l] hang \ 9 h]
room af d9n]4 ,b :at ab me8 ,i'm all
al"o 9 my room1 ) no?+ to d40
  8,actually1 ,hank10 my dad sd1 8,i 0
?9k+ we cd d "s spell+ fla% c>ds af
d9n]40
------------------------------------#h
  8,no1 ,dad4 ,pl1se1 n ! fla% c>ds
ag6 ,!y don't help me4 ,i "k ! ^w "o
m9ute1 !n ,i =get x ! next40
  8,hank1 y h a spell+ te/ com+ up4
,don't y want to d well80 he ask$4
  ,"! x 0 ag4 ,my dad c h>dly get "? a
m1l )\t br++ up s*ool4 ,my grades >5't
gd4 ,i "k t4 ,b s*ool is h>d = me4 ,i
try to d well1 ,i r1lly d4 ,"ey"o1
especially my dad1 ?9ks ,i don't try
h>d 5\<4 ,!y say ,i'm funny & a gd
talk] s "!'s no r1son
,i %dn't h bett] grades4 ,i c't     #i
expla9 x1 ei1 b no matt] h[ h>d ,i
try1 my report c>d n"e improves4
  8,let's make a d1l1 ,dad10 ,i
su7e/$4 8,i'll d ! fla% c>ds4 ,i'll
try my h>de/4 ,& if ,i get a gd grade
on my te/1 y take me to ! animal
%elt]40
  8,grt idea10 ,emily sd4 8,& 2 sure
to l1ve hm "!40
  8,i ?9k we %d li/5 to ,hank10 my mom
sd4 8,a * ne$s a goal1 & gett+ a dog
is a gd "o40
  8,i j want to "k :o's
-----------------------------------#aj
go+ to cl1n up ! poop10 my dad sd4
  8,i'm yr guy1 ,dad10 ,i sd4 8,i'm
go+ to get ru2] gloves1 a nose clip1 &
a face mask40
  ,my dad 0 alr up & h1d+ = ! desk
draw] ": he keeps ! fla% c>ds4 ,x's my
l1/-favorite draw] 9 ! h\se4
  8,s "h's ! agree;t1 ,hank10 he sd z
he pull$ \ ! box ( ,dr4 ,sm>ty ,pants
,fun ,) ,spell+ c>ds4 8,if ,i see   #e
improve;t 9 .1all yr grades1 we   a#aj
w make t trip to ! animal %elt]40
  8,wait a m9ute1 ,dad4 ,i
-----------------------------------#aa
?"\ we 7 j talk+ ab my spell+ te/40
  8,no1 ,hank4 ,t's n 5\<4 ,i ne$ to
see improve;t 9 all yr grades40
  8,ev5 ma?80 ,i ask$4
  8,absolutely ma?40
  8,r1d+1 too80
  ,n[ my dad 0 gett+ irritat$4
  8,e subject10 he sd4
  ,af d9n]1 my dad & ,i sat on ! c\* &
op5$ ! box ( fla% c>ds4 ,wdn't y "k x1
! v f/ ^w on ! v f/ c>d 0 impossible
to spell4 ,x 0 .1fr4 ,h[ 0 ,i suppos$
-----------------------------------#ab
to "k t ! i came 2f ! ;e8 ,i didn't
ev5 "k "! 0 an i 9 ! ^w 9 ! f/ place4
  ,i mess$ up ! next ?ree ^ws1 too4
,okay1 ! next t5 ^ws4 ,h[ 0 ,i go+ to
get a dog1 if ,i cdn't ev5 rememb] h[
to spell s* easy ^ws8 ,i didn't h an
answ] to t1 s ,i did :at ,i alw d :5
,i h a problem to solve3 ,i made a
li/4                              a#ab
-------------------------------#ac-#ad

              ,,*apt] #b

            ,,,t5 ways i c
         improve my grades,'
          ,,,by hank zipz],'

#a4 ,get a new bra94
#b4 ,borr[ ,emily's bra94 ,x's gd at
  "ey?+4
#c4 ,move to ! planet ,neptune1 ":
  ,i'm pretty sure !y don't h report
  c>ds4
#d4 ,write ! answ]s to ! ma? te/ on !
  9side ( my eyelids4
#e4 ,hang \ ) a h]d ( elephants1 2c
  elephants n"e =get4 ,maybe _! gd
  memories w rub (f on me4
-----------------------------------#ae
#f4 ,eat m bro3oli4 ,i don't "k if x w
  help my grades1 b maybe ,i'll gr[ an
  9*4
#g4 ,d my home"w z soon z ,i get    #g
  home f s*ool4                   a#ae
#h4 ,i take numb] sev5 back4 ,i don't
  want to get too crazy ab ?4
#i4 ,i c't ?9k ( any?+ = numb] n9e4
#aj4 ,i c't ?9k ( a numb] t51 ei4 ,if
  y h any su7es;ns1 let me "k4
-------------------------------#af-#ag

              ,,*apt] #c

  ,exactly "o week af my dad & ,i sp5t
! :ole horrible ev5+ review+ fla%
c>ds1 my t1*]1 ,ms4 ,fl[]s1 h&$ back
\r spell+ te/s4
  8,nice "w1 ,hank10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s sd z
,i /u6$ ! te/ 9to my notebook4 8,i see
r1l improve;t40
  .1,improve;t8 ,i qkly pull$ \ ! te/4
,( ! fifte5 spell+ ^ws1 ,i _h gott5
six "r 9/1d ( my usual two4
-----------------------------------#ah
,? 0 a new ,hank ,zipz] _w record4
  8,w[ee z[ee60 ,i yell$4 8,i'm alm a
g5ius40
  ,frankie ,t[ns5d1 my be/ fr1 r1*$
acr ! aisle & gave me a hi<       a#ah
five4
  8,way to g1 ,hank>ooney10 he sd4
8,yr dad's go+ to 2 happy ) ?40
  8,t dog is practically yrs10 ,a%ley
,w;g :isp]$ f h] s1t4 ,a%ley _h j mov$
9to my build+ & _h qkly 2come be/ frs
) ,frankie & me4
  8,! ?ree ( y guys >e pa!tic10 ,nick
,mc,kelty sd4 ,he sits 9 back ( me4
,:5
-----------------------------------#ai
he br1!s1 ,i c feel 8 hot1 /9ky
sausage br1? all ov] my neck4 8,six \
( fifte5 is no?+ to celebrate40
  8,p]h y %d keep yr eyes on yr [n
pap]1 ,nick10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s sd1 putt+ 8
te/ d[n on 8 desk4 8,y miss$ half !
^ws yrf40
  ,ms4 ,fl[]s return$ to ! front ( !
class & wrote !
-----------------------------------#bj
foll[+ ^ws on ! bo>d3 ,,,sci;e book
report due tm4,' ,katie ,sp]l+ groan$4
  8,oh no10 %e sd4 8,i'm only       #i
halfway d"o ) my book on          a#bj
volcanoes40
  8,!n ,i su7e/ y sp5d "s ( recess
r1d+10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s told h]4
  ,i _h a bi7] problem ?an ,katie
,sp]l+4 ,i _hn't />t$ my book4 ,i
_hn't ev5 *eck$ "o \ ( ! libr>y4 ,9
fact1 ,i _h totally =gott5 ab !
assign;t4
  ,:5 ! recess bell rang1 ,i w5t up to
,ms4 ,fl[]s's desk4
  8,ms4 ,fl[]s1 ,i h a small
-----------------------------------#ba
problem10 ,i sd1 giv+ h] my be/ smile4
,i feel t :5 y've got bad news1 y ne$
to %[ a lot ( tee?4
  8,:at is x1 ,hank80
  8,i =got to *eck a sci;e book \ ( !
libr>y40
-----------------------------------#bb
  8,b1 ,hank1 ,i rem9d$ y ?ree "ts t !
book report 0 due tm40
  8,yup1 ,i =got t1 too40
  8,oh1 ,hank40 ,%e si<$4 8,:at >e we
go+ to d ) y8 ,we've _h ? talk 2f40
  8,don't worry1 ,ms4 ,fl[]s4     a#bb
,? "t ,i ?9k ,i h a solu;n40
  8,well1 y're v cr1tive10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s
sd4 8,i'll 2 9t]e/$ to see :at x is40
  ,i actually didn't h a solu;n4 ,z ,i
walk$ \ ( ! classroom1 ,i tri$ to come
up ) "o4 ,b no?+ came to me4 ,my m9d j
w&]$ >.d l x 0 lo/ 9 a =e/4
  ,i 0 ab to give up1 :5
-----------------------------------#bc
,i pass$ ! fif?-grade bullet9 bo>d4
,at ! top 9 r$ lrs1 x sd1 ,,,%>ks n"e
sleep4,'
  ,sudd5ly1 an idea came to me4 ,x 0 a
big idea4 ,& x c]ta9ly wdn't 2 easy to
pull (f4 ,i 0 go+ to ne$ help1 t 0 =
sure4 ,b all ,i cd ?9k ab 0 h[ m* ,i
want$ t dog4
  ,i _h to try "ey?+ to get x4
-------------------------------#bd-#be

              ,,*apt] #d

  ,i ask$ ,frankie & ,a%ley to meet me
9 \r clubh\se at f\r o'clock4      #aa
,x's n a r1l clubh\se4 ,x's a     a#be
/oreroom 9 ! base;t ( \r a"p;t build+
": we hang \4 ,!y >riv$ exactly on "t4
  8,okay1 ,hank/]10 ,frankie sd4
8,let's see ? big idea y h40
  ,i r1*$ 9to "o ( ! c>dbo>d boxes
label$ ,,,summ] vaca;n /uff4,'
-----------------------------------#bf
,i pull$ \ a pair ( neon yell[
flipp]s1 a snorkel1 & "s go7les4 ,i
put on ! flipp]s & slipp$ ! go7les ov]
my face4
  8,y look an \t]-space cr1ture10
,a%ley sd4
  ,!n ,i r1*$ 9to a box label$
,,,emily's baby toys,' & pull$ \ two
/u6$ animals4 ,"o 0 a fuzzy purple
octopus :o %e us$ to call ,morton4 ,!
o!r 0 a creepy-look+ jellyfi% )
ra9b[-color$ t5tacles4
  ,i held ,morton 9 "o h& & ! jellyfi%
9 ! o!r4 ,!n ,i /u6$ ! snorkel 9to my
m\?4 ,pr\dly1 ,i /rutt$
-----------------------------------#bg
back & =? 9 front ( ,frankie & ,a%ley4
  8,:at d y ?9k1 guys80 ,i tri$   a#bg
to say4
  8,huh8 ,i c't "u/& y10 ,frankie
answ]$4
  ,( c\rse he cdn't4 ,i took ! snorkel
\ ( my m\?4
-----------------------------------#bh
  8,i'm a %>k10 ,i expla9$1 8swimm+ 9
! oc1n ) my "uwat] frs4 ,i'm go+ to d
my report z ,%>k ,boy4 ,i "k a :ole
lot ( sci5tific %>k facts4 ,l1 did y
"k t %>ks don't h a s+le b"o 9 _!
bodies8 ,& t !y c swim =ty to sixty
miles an h\r8 ,& t !y h ?ree f9s80
  8,all ( : y >e miss+10 ,frankie
po9t$ \4
  8,& t's ": y come in10 ,i sd4 8,i
ne$ y to help me make "s f9s40
  8,oh1 ,i love >t projects60 ,a%ley
sd1 jump+ (f ! c\* & h1d+ "r = \r
-----------------------------------#bi
c>dbo>d boxes4 ,%e ripp$ (f "o ( !
flaps & tore x 9to ! %ape ( a
triangle4
  8,"h's a f910 %e sd4             #ac
  8,i c atta* "s /r+ to tie x     a#bi
to yr body10 ,frankie sd4
  8,& = a r1lly special t\*10 ,a%ley
add$1 8,i'll decorate x ) blue & gre5
sp>kly rh9e/"os40
  8,easy "!1 ,a%we5a10 ,i sd4 8,%>ks
don't sp>kle40
  8,!y d if !y want a gd grade10 %e
sd4
  ,by d9n]"t1 ,i _h ! be/ %>k co/ume (
any second-grad] 9 ,am]ica4 ,maybe ev5
! _w4
-----------------------------------#cj
  ,:5 we got to s*ool ! next morn+1
,ms4 ,fl[]s collect$ "ey"o's sci;e
book report4
  8,": is yr report1 ,hank80 %e ask$ z
%e /ood next to my desk4
  8,ms4 ,fl[]s1 y're go+ to h to see x
to 2lieve x10 ,frankie told h]4
  8,hank's report is alive10 ,a%ley
add$4 8,& x's amaz+40
  8,amaz+ly
-----------------------------------#ca
bad1 y m1n10 ,nick ,mc,kelty sd ) a
snort4                            a#ca
  8,x s.ds 9t]e/+ to me10 ,luke
,:itman sd1 tak+ 8 f+] \ ( 8 nose4 ,t
f+] sp5ds mo/ ( ! "d 9 "!4
  ,ms4 ,fl[]s ?"\ x ov]4
  8,okay10 %e sd4 8,:y don't we see
:at y've come up )1 ,hank40
  ,i took my co/ume & w5t 9to ! hall4
,a%ley came to help tie on my f9s4
,:ile ,i 0 slipp+ 9to my flipp]s &
mask1 ,frankie w5t to ! front ( !
class to 9troduce me4
  8,! subject ( ? book
-----------------------------------#cb
report is %>ks10 he sd4 8,& n[1 com+
to y direct f ! "usea _w is ,hank
,zipz]1 o!rwise "kn z ,%>k ,boy40
-----------------------------------#cc
  ,i flopp$ to ! c5t] ( ! classroom4
,!n ,i turn$ 9 a circle s "ey"o cd get
a gd look at ! sp>kly f9 t ,a%ley _h
made4 ,i 2gan to recite my %>k facts4
,:5 ,i saw ! blank looks on "ey"o's
faces1 ,i r1liz$ t ,i / _h ! snorkel 9
my m\?4 ,no "o cd "u/& me4 ,x j s.d$ l
,i 0 bl[+ bu2les "uwat]4           #ae
  ,i took \ ! m\?piece & />t$     a#cb
ag4 ,i sd "ey?+ ,i _h le>n$ ab %>ks4
,:5 ,i 0 f9i%$1 ! :ole class applaud$4
,well1 "ey"o b y-"k-:o4
  ,ms4 ,fl[]s sd no?+ =
-----------------------------------#cd
:at seem$ to 2 a l;g "t4 ,at la/1 %e
spoke4
  8,well1 ,hank1 t wasn't exactly !
way ! assign;t 0 suppos$ to 2 d"o40
  ,i felt my he>t drop4 ,if %e gave me
a bad grade1 ,i 0 n"e go+ to get a
dog4
  8,b y r1lly knew yr facts10 %e
3t9u$4 8,& y %[$ grt cr1tiv;y4 ,= t1
,i am go+ to rew>d y40
  8,) an ,a80 ,i sd4
  8,yes1 ,hank4 ,) an ,a40
  ,my e>s cdn't 2lieve :at !y 7 he>+4
,x 0 my f/ ,a "e 9 my :ole life4 ,i
smil$ at ,frankie & ,a%ley & did a
huge fi/ pump 9 !
-----------------------------------#ce
air4 ,a%ley lau<$4 ,frankie put 8 h&s
up l paws & b>k$1 8,b[w[40
  ,z = me1 ,i did a happy d.e1    a#ce
flipp]s & all4 ,t new dog 0 alm m9e4
-------------------------------#cf-#cg

              ,,*apt] #e

  ,! next ,?urs"d1 report c>ds came \4
,my gr&pa1 ,papa ,pete1 0 pick+ me up
at s*ool t "d4 ,i came runn+ \ ! front
door1 wav+ ! s1l$ br[n 5velope 9 my
h&s4
  8,:at y got "!80 ,papa ,pete ask$1
giv+ me "o ( 8 grt big be> hugs4
  8,my report c>d10 ,i answ]$4 8,let's
hurry home s ,i c %[ x to ,dad40
  8,s.ds l y're expect+
-----------------------------------#ch
"s gd grades10 ,papa ,pete sd4 8,gett+
a dog r1lly has motivat$ y4 ,i'm pr\d
( y1 ,hankie40
  ,usually ,papa ,pete & ,i /op at my
mom's deli1 ! ,crun*y ,pickle1 = an
af-s*ool snack4 ,b t "d1 ,i want$ to
get "r home4
  ,! m9ute ,i set foot 9 \r        #ag
a"p;t1 ,i h&$ ! 5velope to my     a#ch
dad4
  8,h[ did ,i d80 ,i ask$ hm 2f he _h
ev5 f9i%$ op5+ x4 8,>e ! ^ws ,8m*
improv$,0 go+ to come fly+ \ ( yr
m\?80
  ,he put 8 glasses on & look$ ov] my
report c>d =
-----------------------------------#ci
:at seem$ to 2 ="e4
  8,in a few subjects1 "! 0 sli<t
improve;t10 he sd at la/4 8,in sci;e1
"! 0 a lot ( improve;t40
  ,i />t$ jump+ up & d[n4
  8,cool6 ,:5 c we g look at puppies80
,i 0 s happy ,i 0 practically %\t+4
  8,h["e 44410 he w5t on4
  ,i hate t ^w1 .1h["e4 ,no?+ gd "e
comes af x4
  8,h["e1 ,hank1 9 "s important
subjects1 s* z r1d+ & ma?1 yr grades h
actually slipp$40
  ,papa ,pete put 8 h& on my dad's
%\ld]4

  8,y "k1 ,/an10 he sd1 smil+ t    #dj
grt smile ( his4 8,i sp5t my life
runn+ ! ,crun*y ,pickle4 ,my s&wi*es
made a lot ( p happy4 ,& ! tru? is1 ,i
_h a h>d "t ) ma?1 too4 ,y le>n to
figure \ :at y're gd at4 ,!n y g
full-/1m 9 t direc;n40
  8,s :at >e y su7e/+ ,pete80 my dad
sd4 8,t ,i j let ,hank 2 lazy & get
any grade he wants80
  8,he's n lazy10 ,papa ,pete sd4
8,let hm prove x to y by %[+ he c take
c>e ( a dog40
  8,y1h60 ,i exclaim$4 8,dad1
-----------------------------------#da
,i promise y4 ,i w 2 ! be/
dog-tak]-c>e-( p]son 9 ! :ole 5tire
sol> sy/em40
  ,my dad j sat "!1 scrat*+ 8 h1d4
-----------------------------------#db
  8,i h to 4cuss ? ) yr "m10 he sd4
  8,grt1 ,i c he> h] 9 ! kit*510 ,i
sd4 8,let's g ask h]40
  8,y /ay "h1 ,hank4 ,? is an adult
deci.n40                           #ai
  8,!n y c't l1ve \ ,papa         a#db
,pete10 ,i sd1 "k+ he wd take my side4
8,he's an adult40
-----------------------------------#dc
  8,h be5 = q "s "t n[10 ,papa ,pete
sd4
  ,papa ,pete w9k$ at me z he foll[$
my dad 9to ! kit*54 ,z = me1 all ,i cd
d 0 put my e> ag/ ! kit*5 door & try
to he> :at !y 7 say+4
  ,i cdn't he> a ^w4
-------------------------------#dd-#de

              ,,*apt] #f

                ,,wo(

  ,i only h "o ?+ to say ab :at happ5$
9 ! kit*54
  ,,,animal %elt]1 "h i come6,'
-------------------------------#df-#dg

              ,,*apt] #g

  ,:5 we walk$ 9to ! animal %elt] on
#heth ,/reet & ,am/]dam1 ,i       a#dg
he>d b>k+4 ,x 0 l a do7y glee club t 0
\ ( tune4
  ,(fic] ,p]ez 0 9 *>ge ( ! %elt]4 ,%e
_h lots ( curly hair & look$ a ll l !
,fr5* poodle 9 cage ?ree4
  8,h[ w ,i "k : dog to pick80 ,i ask$
,(fic] ,p]ez4
-----------------------------------#dh
  8,oh1 y'll "k10 %e sd ) a smile4 8,!
"r dog w give y a sign4 ,x j happ5s1 l
magic40
  ,we split up4 ,ea* ( u took a r[4
,except ,emily4 ,%e refus$ to
"picipate4 ,9/1d1 %e j sat by ,(fic]
,p]ez's desk r1d+ h] book1 .7,h[ to
,?9k ,l a ,reptile.'4
  ,i />t$ d[n ! middle aisle4 ,"! 7
cages /ack$ two-hi< on bo? sides4 ,ea*
cage held a lo/ or ab&on$ dog4 ,i
wond]$ : dog 0 go+ to give me a sign4
,x 0 def9itely n ! ll guy 9 ! f/ cage
,-he 0 completely hair.s except
-----------------------------------#di
= t9y tufts com+ \ ( 8 e>s4        #ba
  8,sorry1 pal10 ,i sd z ,i       a#di
pass$ by hm4 8,\r family only has "o
bald guy1 & t's my uncle ,g>y40
  ,i 3t9u$ d[n ! aisle1 look+ 9 e
cage4 ,i pass$ a furry ll black dog )
:ite paws & a :ite spot on 8 *e/4 ,8
bottom tee? /uck \ m* f>!r ?an 8 top
tee?4
-----------------------------------#ej
  8,y >e go+ to ne$ braces10 ,i sd to
hm4
  ,he didn't lau<4 ,i mov$ on4
  ,! dog 9 ! next cage 0 a box]4 ,he
drool$ a lot4 ,x look$ l ! ,hudson
,riv] 0 com+ \ ( 8 m\?4 ,if we adopt$
hm1 he wd def9itely ne$ a bib4
  ,i pass$ a cage ) ! funnie/-look+ ll
dog y've "e se54 ,he look$ l a beige
hot dog4 ,he _h a l;g tail b def9itely
came up %ort
-----------------------------------#ea
9 ! fur de"p;t4 ,& sp1k+ ( %ort1 8
legs 7 s %ort1 "! 0 no room = muscles4
,i cdn't 2lieve ^? /u2y legs 7 able to
hold up t l;g body ( his4
  ,by ? "t1 ,i _h look$ at        a#ea
probably tw5ty dogs4 ,"! wasn't "o t
3nect$ ) me4
  ,i turn$ >.d & h1d$ back ! way ,i
came4
-----------------------------------#eb
  ,z ,i pass$ ! cage ) ! beige hot dog
ag1 he ran to ! front ( ! cage & sat
d[n4
  ,i knelt d[n sl[ly4 ,i didn't want
to sc>e hm4 ,!n1 he put 8 paw "? ! b>s
( ! cage & held x \ to me4 ,)\t ev5
?9k+1 ,i took 8 paw4 ,2f y cd say1
8,nice to meet y10 we 7 %ak+ h&s4
-----------------------------------#ec
  8,:at'd ,i tell y80 a voice sd 2h
me4
  ,i turn$ >.d to see ,(fic] ,p]ez
smil+ at me4 8,y don't pick !m1 !y
pick y40
  ,i look$ at ! ll dog1 n"e lett+ g (
8 paw4 ,he 0 n at all :at ,i _h 9 m9d4
,b ,i'll tell y ?3 ,:5 a dog gives y a
sign1 y h to li/54
  8,mom6 ,dad6 ,emily60 ,i         #bc
holl]$4 8,"h he is6 ,i've f.d     a#ec
hm40
  ,all ?ree ( !m came runn+4 ,emily
look$ 9 ! cage & />t$ to lau<4
  8,he looks l a corn dog )\t a /ick60
%e hoot$4
-----------------------------------#ed
  8,let me take hm \ s y c meet hm10
,(fic] ,p]ez sd4
  8,2f we get c>ri$ away "h10 my dad
sd1 8let me rem9d "ey"o t small dogs
>e extremely yappy40
  8,? ll da*shund is / a puppy10
,(fic] ,p]ez sd4 8,puppies c 2 tra9$40
  ,%e alr _h unlock$ 8 cage & 0 lift+
hm \4 ,%e g5tly plac$ hm on ! floor 9
front ( u4 ,he 0 s happy to 2 free4 ,i
"k ? s.ds crazy1 b x r1lly look$ l he
0 smil+ at me4
  8,y make me smile1 too10
-----------------------------------#ee
,i sd1 kneel+ d[n "r next to hm4
  ,) t1 he />t$ runn+ 9 a circle1 !
way dogs d :5 !y *ase _! tails4 ,he
w5t fa/] & fa/]1 until y cdn't see ":
8 h1d /opp$ & 8 tail 2gan4        a#ee
-----------------------------------#ef
  8,look at hm60 ,i sd1 hold+ my sides
& lau<+4 8,he looks l a ,*e]io40
  ,no soon] _h ,i sd ^? ^ws1 ?an ! dog
/opp$ sp9n+4 ,he look$ up at me & wa7$
8 l;g tail4
  8,y l t "n80 ,i sd to hm4 8,*e]io80
  ,he snu7l$ "r 9to my >ms1 lick+ my
face l ,i 0 an ice-cr1m c"o4
  ,ev5 my dad _h to lau<4 ,& at t
mo;t1 ,i knew t ,*e]io wd 2 com+ home
) u4
-------------------------------#eg-#ei

              ,,*apt] #h

  ,on ! way home f ! animal %elt]1 we
/opp$ at ,pets = ;,u & ,me to buy
,*e]io's supplies4 ,i pick$ \ a food
b[l ) a do7y b"o on ! bottom ( x4 ,i
got a wat] b[l1 too1 & a neon blue
coll>4 ,my dad got a crate & a %eepsk9
mat to put 9side x4 ,*e]io pick$ \ a
squ1ky toy %ap$ l a banana4 ,my    #be
mom >riv$ at ! ca% regi/] c>ry+   a#ei
a big
-----------------------------------#fj
package ( "s?+ call$ wee-wee pads4
  8,:at >e ^?80 ,i ask$4
  8,i've be5 r1d+ up on h[ to tra9 a
puppy4 ,*e]io w h to 2 tra9$ to g to !
ba?room \tside10 %e sd4 8,if he />ts
sni6+ or turn+ >.d 9 circles1 !n he
probably has to g4 ,& if we're 9side
:5 ? happ5s1 we direct hm to ! wee-wee
pad4 ,t way1 he'll le>n to j g on !
pad :5 he's 9side ! h\se40
  8,ewww10 ,emily groan$4
-----------------------------------#fa
  8,y're n putt+ ^? gross ?+s d[n 9 my
room4 ,ka!r9e wd hate !m40
  8,don't worry10 ,i told h]4 8,*e]io
doesn't want to hang \ ) y guys1
anyway4 ,he's n 9t]e/$ 9 wat*+ ,ka!r9e
cat* flies40
  8,gd10 ,emily sd4 8,2c we're n
9t]e/$ 9 wat*+ hm wee-wee40
  ,:5 we got home1 ,*e]io ran >.d &
sni6$ ! 5tire a"p;t4 ,he sni6$ e piece
( furniture until he f.d my       a#fa
dad's slipp]s1 : he keeps tuck$ "u 8
favorite l1!r *air4
  8,oh no1 y don't10 my dad
-----------------------------------#fb
sd1 div+ = 8 slipp]s4 ,b ,*e]io 0 fa/1
& got "o ( !m 9 8 m\? 2f my dad cd r1*
x4
  8,t's my slipp]10 my dad sd4 8,drop
x40
  ,*e]io didn't4 ,9 fact1 he bit d[n
ev5 h>d]4 ,my dad r1*$ d[n to take !
-----------------------------------#fc
slipp] \ ( ,*e]io's m\?4 ,he pull$1 b
,*e]io pull$ h>d]4 ,x 0 a major
tug-(-w>4 ,at la/1 ,*e]io let g4 ,my
dad flew backw>d & bump$ 9to ! table
": my mom kept h] gr&"m's glass vase4
-----------------------------------#fd
  .7,cra%6 ,boom6 ,bam6.'
  ,! vase fell (f ! table & sma%$ 9to
a million pieces4
  8,n[ look :at y've d"o10 my dad sd
to ,*e]io4
  8,actually1 ,dad1 y did x10 ,i   #bg
po9t$ \4                          a#fd
  8,i c see ? dog is go+ to cause a
lot ( tr\ble10 he answ]$1 %ak+ 8 h1d4
  ,my mom came 9 f ! kit*5 c>ry+ a
broom & a du/pan4
  8,*e]io & ,i >e s sorry ab ! vase1
,mom10 ,i sd4 8,i "k x 0 yr gr&ma's40
  8,oh no1 ,hank4 ,gr&ma's vase is 9 !
kit*5 cab9et4
-----------------------------------#fe
,i b"\ t old vase at a y>d sale =
fifty c5ts40
  ,:ile %e swept up ! mess1 my dad
turn$ to ,*e]io1 :o _h no idea he _h
d"o any?+ wr;g4
  8,don't wag yr tail at me10 my dad
sd to hm4 8,if y're to 2 9 ? family1 y
h to foll[ ! ,zipz] rules4 ,no slipp]
*ew+4 ,no furniture sni6+4 ,is t
cle>80
  ,*e]io turn$ 8 h1d to "o side1 z if
to say1 .7,i h no idea :at y're talk+
ab1 b d y happ5 to h a hamburg] 9 yr
pocket8.'
  8,& :ile we're at x1
,hank10 my dad w5t on4 8,"! >e     #ff
dog-c>e rules = y1 too4 ,i expect y to
walk ,*e]io e "d4 ,he m/ alw 2 on a
l1%4 ,& y >e to keep 8 wat] b[l full &
fe$ hm e "d4 ,^! >e ! responsibilities
y assume :5 y get a dog40
  8,no problem1 ,dad10 ,i sd4 8,i w 2
! picture ( responsibil;y1 ,i
promise40
  ,i lift$ ,*e]io 9to my >ms4 8,let's
g to \r room40
  8,don't =get to take "o ( ! wee-wee
pads10 my mom sd4 8,we don't want
,*e]io hav+ an a3id5t on ! c>pet40
-----------------------------------#fg
  8,*e]io says he wd n"e d a ?+ l t1
,mom40
  8,i didn't he> t dog say "o ^w10
,emily snort$4
  8,t's 2c y don't sp1k puppy10 ,i
told h]4 8,y only sp1k liz>d40
  ,i w5t 9to ! kit*5 & took a wee-wee
pad f ! package4 ,tuck+ x "u "o >m1 ,i
pick$ up ,*e]io ) ! o!r & h1d$ to my
room4                              #bi
  ,once we 7 9side1 ,i put hm     a#fg
d[n on ! c>pet4 8,okay1 boy1 let's
play cat*10 ,i sd4
  ,i toss$ ! pad on my b$1 !n w5t to
my desk draw]
-----------------------------------#fh
to look = my p9k ru2] ball4 ,i f.d x &
roll$ x acr ! rug4 ,*e]io wat*$ x g
by4 ,no?+ mov$ b 8 h1d4
  8,g get x1 ,*e]io40
  ,he didn't move4 ,he j />$ at me z
if to say1 .7,:y wd ,i want to d t8.'
  8,s y're n a ballplay]10 ,i sd to
hm4 8,t's okay4 ,:at d y want to d
9/1d80
-----------------------------------#fi
  ,he trott$ ov] to ! corn] ( my room
& sni6$ >.d4
  8,:at >e y look+ =80 ,i ask$ hm4
  ,he answ]$ me by lift+ 8 leg4 ,i ?9k
we all "k :at happ5$ next4
  8,wait1 ,*e]io4 ,y c't pee "!60 ,i
%\t$4 8,y h to g on ! wee-wee pad1 :
is 444 oh no 444 on my b$4 ,i =got to
put x d[n60
  ,*e]io 3t9u$ to g ab 8 busi;s4   #gj
,! puddle spr1d halfway acr my room4
,z ,i wat*$ x s9k 9to ! c>pet1 ,i _h
only "o ?"\ & x 0 ?3 .7,uh-oh1 ,hank
,zipz]1 y >e 9 big tr\ble n[4.'
-------------------------------#ga-#gc

              ,,*apt] #i

  ,:5 he 0 f9i%$ pee+1 ,*e]io wa7$ 8
tail & look$ at me happily4 ,he _h no
idea he _h d"o any?+ wr;g4
  8,y wait "h10 ,i sd to hm4 8,i'll g
get help40
  ,i op5$ ! door & tipto$ 9to ! liv+
room4 8,mom10 ,i :isp]$4 8,i h a ll
problem4 ,c ,i talk to y 9 ! kit*58 ,i
don't want to 4turb ,dad40
-----------------------------------#gd
  8,don't worry ab t1 ,hank10 my dad
sd f 8 *air4 8,:at's on yr m9d80
  ,i _h no *oice4 ,i took a br1? &
2gan4
  8,*e]io pe$ 9 my room10 ,i sd4 8,all
ov] ! c>pet40                      #ca
  8,:at happ5$80 my mom ask$4     a#gd
  8,did y =get to put ! wee-wee pad
d[n80 my dad ask$ me4
  8,i m1nt to put x d[n1 ,dad4 ,my
bra9 j didn't rememb]40
  8,okay1 ,hank10 he sd ) a si<4 8,i
?9k x's be/ if ,*e]io doesn't sp5d any
m "t 9 yr room,-at
-----------------------------------#ge
l1/ until y c 2 m responsible40
  8,b1 ,dad1 x's alm "t = b$4 ,":'s he
go+ to sleep80
  8,we'll put 8 crate 9 ! kit*51 &
he'll sleep "!10 he answ]$4
  8,all al"o8 ,he'll 2 s sad40
  8,he'll 2 f9e10 my dad sd4 8,t's :at
y d :5 y're tra9+ a puppy4 ,& z = y1
,i 2lieve y h "s cl1nup "w to d 9 yr
room40
  ,my mom help$ me cl1n ! c>pet ) tons
( pap] t[els & a special spray t wd
/op ,*e]io f pee+
-----------------------------------#gf
"! ag4 ,:ile we 7 do+ t1 my dad got
,*e]io & put hm 9 8 crate 9 ! kit*54
  8,c ,i at l1/ say gd ni<t to    a#gf
hm80 ,i ask$ :5 ,i _h f9i%$ cl1n+ up4
-----------------------------------#gg
  8,( c\rse10 my dad sd4 8,j make x
%ort4 ,x's be5 an excit+ "d4 ,bo? y &
,*e]io ne$ to get "s re/40
  ,i w5t 9to ! kit*5 & knelt d[n by
,*e]io's crate4 ,8 tail wa7$ :5 he saw
me4
  8,gd ni<t1 boy10 ,i sd4 8,we'll g on
a nice walk tm4 ,i promise4 ,x w 2
morn+ 2f y "k x40
  ,) "o la/ look at hm1 ,i turn$ \ !
li<ts & w5t to my room4
  ,z ,i climb$ 9to b$1 ,i cd he>
,*e]io cry+ = me4
  8,*e]io1 t's 5\<60 my dad yell$4 8,g
to sleep40
-----------------------------------#gh
  ,i lay "! 9 b$1 ?9k+ ( poor ll
,*e]io al"o 9 ! kit*54 ,he 0 "! 2c (
me4 ,if only ,i _h rememb]$ to put d[n
t pad1 maybe ,i cd h kept 8 crate 9 my
room1 "r next to my b$4
  ,i cdn't sleep4 ,li/5+ to        #cc
,*e]io cry 0 j too sad4 ,!n ,i    a#gh
rememb]$ t ! /ore [n] at ,pets = ;,u &
,me _h sd to put a piece ( my clo?+
9to ,*e]io's crate4
  ,if x smell$ l me1 ,*e]io wd feel l
,i 0 "! ) hm4
  ,s ,i crept \ ( b$ & pull$ a ,mets
sock f !
-----------------------------------#gi
dirty-laundry hamp]4 ,i sni6$ x4 ,oh
y1h1 t 0 me1 all "r4
  ,i tipto$ 9to ! kit*54 ,*e]io 0 ly+
9 8 crate1 8 ll nose /ick+ "? ! front
gate4 ,! m9ute he saw me1 he alm did a
backflip4 ,i slid my f+]s z f> z ,i cd
9to 8 crate1 & felt 8 wet t;gue lick+
!m4 ,boy1 t felt gd4 ,*e]io :imp]$ a
ll l\d]4
  8,i miss y1 too1 puppy10
-----------------------------------#hj
,i sd4 8,"h1 ,i've br"\ "s?+ s y won't
2 s l"oly40
  ,i held up my sock = hm to smell4
,he /uck 8 nose 9to !m & took a big
:iff4 ,!n 8 tail />t$ to wag l crazy4
,he 0 ! only liv+ ?+ on !         a#hj
planet :o lik$ ! way my sock smell$4
  8,okay1 boy10 ,i :isp]$4 8,i'll j
op5 ! door & put x "r next to y4 ,keep
v quiet s y don't wake ,dad40
  ,z soon z ,i op5$ ! door j a crack1
he %ot \ ( "! l a jet plane4
-----------------------------------#ha
  8,*e]io6 ,get back "h60 ,i
yell-:isp]$4
  ,he didn't li/54 ,he pu%$ op5 !
kit*5 door & 4appe>$4
  ,i foll[$ hm z fa/ z ,i cd4 ,i cdn't
see hm 9 ! d>k1 b ,i cd he> ! click+ (
8 toenails on ! wood floor4 ,he 0
runn+ 9 giant circles all >.d !
d9+-room table4
-----------------------------------#hb
  8,*e]io1 pl1se don't d ? n[10 ,i sd
to hm4 8,y're go+ to get u bo? 9
tr\ble40
  ,he n"e /opp$ circl+ ! table = "o
second4 ,i tri$ to cat* hm1 b he :izz$
"r by me1 8 e>s flapp+ 2h hm4
  ,i ran back 9to ! kit*5 &        #ce
gra2$ ! bag ( dog tr1ts we _h     a#hb
b"\ = hm4
  ,:5 ,i came back to ! d9+ room1 ,i
%ook ! bag z quietly z ,i cd4
  8,i h a cookie = y1 ,*e]io10 ,i
:isp]$4
  ,sudd5ly1 he came scree*+ to a /op
"r 9 front ( me4
-----------------------------------#hc
,i ripp$ op5 ! bag & took \ a tr1t4
,hold+ x 9 front ( 8 nose1 ,i back$
9to ! kit*54 ,he foll[$1 n"e tak+ 8
eyes (f t cookie4 ,i put x 9side 8
crate next to my sock4 ,he dove 9 &
go2l$ d[n t tr1t 9 "o bite4 ,i lock$ !
door z qkly z ,i cd4
  ,x 0 r1lly late by !n4 ,i _h to get
to b$1 b ,i hat$ to l1ve hm all al"o4
,i flick$ on ! ,,tv t sits on ! kit*5
c.t]4
  8,? w keep y company10 ,i sd1 flipp+
"? ! *annels4 ,i didn't want hm wat*+
! news,-x 0 too
-----------------------------------#hd
sc>y4 ,& ! jewelry *annel 0 def9itely
too bor+4 ,i f.d "s all-ni<t      a#hd
c>toons t he seem$ to l4
  8,i love y10 ,i :isp]$ 9to 8 cage4
-----------------------------------#he
  ,! la/ ?+ ,i he>d z ,i crept back to
my b$room 0 a happy ll do7y yawn4 ,i
smil$4 ,x felt r1lly gd to "k ,i _h
made ,*e]io feel at home4
-------------------------------#hf-#hg

             ,,*apt] #aj

  ,! next "d at s*ool1 all ,i ?"\ ab 0
,*e]io4 ,i'm usually pretty bad ab
pay+ att5;n4 ,l :5 ,pr9cipal ,love is
talk+ on ! l\dsp1k]1 ,i alw />e at !
cl\ds \tside1 wond]+ if ants cd build
a colony 9 !m4
  ,af s*ool1 my dad came to pick me
up4 ,:5 ,i saw hm1 ,i 0 totally
surpris$4 ,he 0 hold+ a l1%1 & at ! 5d
( x 0 my new dog4
-----------------------------------#hh
  8,*e]io60 ,i call$ \4
  8,hey1 is t yr dog80 ,nick       #cg
,mc,kelty sd z he tripp$ d[n !    a#hh
front /eps4 8,he's r1lly %ort40
  8,b v cute10 ,katie ,sp]l+ sd4
,katie has lov$ animals "e s9ce we 7 9
pres*ool4
  ,"ey"o want$ a *.e to pet hm1 b all
,*e]io want$ 0 to see me4 ,he tu7$ on
! l1% & /ood up on 8 h9d legs1 pant+4
,i ran to hm & knelt d[n1
-----------------------------------#hi
lett+ hm kiss me all ov] my face4
  8,tak+ ,*e]io on a walk tgr 0 a grt
idea1 ,dad10 ,i sd4 8,:y don't we take
hm to ! p>k8 ,! fre% air w 2 gd = all
( u40
  8,y mi<t 2 "r1 ,hank10 my dad
answ]$4 8,i j r1d an >ticle t says
ex]cise c %>p5 ! m9d40
  ,my dad has a way ( mak+ "ey?+ fun
seem l a life lesson4 ,b ,i didn't
c>e4 ,i 0 gett+ p>k "t ) ,*e]io4 ,i
cdn't wait to see :at he'd ?9k ( all t
grass4
  ,we walk$ d[n #ghth ,/reet all ! way
to ,riv]side ,p>k4
,! m9ute ,*e]io saw ! grass1 he    #ij
took (f runn+4 ,i 0 hold+ ! l1%1 & he
practically pull$ me (f my feet4
  ,"! 7 s _m new ?+s = hm to explore4
,he cdn't decide :at to d f/4 ,he ran
to ! rocks & sni6$ all >.d !m4 ,he ran
to ! tree & sni6$ "s m4 ,:5 he f.d a
fire hydrant1 ,i ?"\ 8 nose 0 go+ to
fall (f f ov]-sni6+4
  ,we h1d$ t[>d ! basketball c\rts4
  8,oh1 look :o's "! %oot+ "s hoops10
my dad sd4 8,isn't t boy 9 yr class8
,he's ) 8 "f1
-----------------------------------#ia
:o j b"\ ! b[l+ alley on ,ei<ty-,six?
/reet40
  ,:5 ,i look$ ov] to ! basketball
c\rt1 my he>t sank d[n to my knees4
,"! 0 ,nick ,mc,kelty1 %oot+ baskets )
8 dad4 ,nick 0 ! la/ p]son ,i want$ to
see "r n[4
-----------------------------------#ib
  8,let's g say hello10 my dad su7e/$4
  8,let's n & say we did40
  8,well1 ,i'm go+ to say          #ci
hello10 my dad sd4 8,a man ) a    a#ib
new b[l+ alley is go+ to ne$ "s help )
8 comput]s4 ,&1 mi<t ,i rem9d y1 t is
:at ,i d = a liv+40
  ,2f ,i cd /op hm1 my dad _h m>*$ up
to ,mr4 ,mc,kelty & 9troduc$ hmf4 ,"r
away1 !y />t$ talk+ ab busi;s4 ,i
don't "k :y gr[n-ups alw d t4 ,t left
me & ,nick ,mc,kelty />+ at ea* o!r )
no?+ to say4
-----------------------------------#ic
  8,yr dog looks l a hot dog10
,mc,kelty sne]$4
  ,*e]io j wa7$ 8 tail happily4 ,i
guess "s puppies don't "k a j]k :5 !y
see "o4
  8,i bet he feels l "o1 too10
,mc,kelty add$4
  ,!n he b5t d[n to t\* ,*e]io4 ,b
9/1d ( pett+ hm1 he unhook$ 8 l1% f 8
coll>6 ,*e]io took (f runn+4
-----------------------------------#id
  8,come back1 ,*e]io60 ,i yell$ z he
*as$ a fat gray squirrel >.d ! p>k4
  ,b ,*e]io wasn't 9t]e/$ 9 li/5+4
,all he 0 ?9k+ ab 0 cat*+ t       a#id
squirrel4
  8,hank60 my "f call$ \4 8,get yr
dog60
  ,i w5t af hm1 b ,i cdn't cat* hm4
,no matt] : direc;n ,i w5t1 ,*e]io ran
! opposite way4 ,to hm1 x 0 a game4
  ,mc,kelty j /ood "! lau<+ 8 h1d (f4
  8,y >e s* a los]1 ,zipp]too?10 he sd
"u 8 br1? z ,i ran by hm = ! fif? "t4
-----------------------------------#ie
  ,my dad jo9$ 9 ! *ase4 ,he ran af
,*e]io1 b he didn't h any m su3ess ?an
,i did4 ,a mom pu%+ a /roll] /epp$ \ (
! way s he cd run by h]4 ,two ll kids
on ! sw+s j po9t$ & lau<$4
  ,*e]io n"e got tir$4 ,f9ally1 he
/opp$ "r next to ! f.ta9 to cat* 8
br1?4 ,pant+ h>d1 he look$ up at !
/atue 9 ! middle ( x4 ,x's a /atue ( a
man on a horse4 ,i ?9k ,*e]io ?"\ he
cd play ) ! horse1 2c he jump$ "r 9to
! f.ta94
  8,n[ ,i've got y corn]$60
                                   #da
my dad yell$4 ,& ) t1 he jump$     #if
9to ! f.ta91 too1 %oes & all4 ,a t\ri/
) a cam]a /opp$ tak+ pictures ( 8 wife
& />t$ %oot+ pictures ( my dad4
  8,^! ,new ,york]s "k h[ to h fun10
,i he>d hm say4
-----------------------------------#ig
  ,*e]io j spla%$ >.d 9 ! %all[ wat]4
,he 0 hav+ ! be/ "t4 ,my dad 0 n4 ,) e
/ep1 he spla%$ hmf m & m1 until he 0
dripp+ wet4 ,ev5 ! me*anical p5cils 9
8 %irt pocket got soak$4
  8,? is x1 buddy60 he ro>$ at ,*e]io4
8,yr play"t is ov]60
-----------------------------------#ih
  ,he plung$ 9to ! wat]4 ,:5 he came
up = air1 he 0 hold+ two ?+s4 ,*e]io 0
9 "o h&1 & a l>ge goldfi% 0 9 ! o!r4
  8,hey1 ,dad1 y're q a fi%]man10 ,i
call$ \4
  ,my "f did n crack a smile4 ,8 face
0 purple )
-----------------------------------#ii
ang]4 ,he climb$ \ ( ! f.ta9 & put
,*e]io back on 8 l1%4
  8,come on1 ,hank10 he gr[l$4    a#ii
8,i h to get \ ( ^! wet clo!s40
  8,dad1 j let me expla9 :at happ5$10
,i sd4
  8,n n[1 ,hank4 ,y've gott5 9to 5
tr\ble = "o "d40
  ,we walk$ home 9 total sil;e4 ,ev5
,*e]io knew n to make a peep4 ,:5 we
r1*$ ,broadway & #ghth ,/reet1 ,i tri$
to />t a 3v]sa;n4
  8,y're %iv]+1 ,dad10 ,i sd4 8,d y
want to borr[ my jacket8
----------------------------------#ajj
  8,x's a ll small1 b y cd we> x z a
sc>f10 ,i 3t9u$4
  ,ag1 no answ]4
  ,9 fact1 he didn't sp1k until we got
to ! elevator 9 \r build+4 ,!n he
turn$ to me & sd ! s5t;e ,i 0 hop+ he
wdn't say4
  8,? ,8adv5ture,0 proves t y >e n
r1dy to take c>e ( a dog10 he sd4 8,i
specifically told y t y 7 to keep
,*e]io on ! l1% at all "ts4 ,& yet1 y
cdn't foll[ ev5 t simple rule40    #dc
  8,b x wasn't my fault1         a#ajj
,dad40
----------------------------------#aja
  8,n ano!r ^w1 ,hank4 ,? dog is go+
back to ! animal %elt]40
  8,no1 ,dad6 ,pl1se6 ,no60 ,i 0 try+
z h>d z ,i cd n to cry4
  8,hank1 t is my deci.n10 he sd4 8,5d
( /ory40
-----------------------------#ajb-#ajc

             ,,*apt] #aa

  ,:5 we got home1 ! f/ ?+ my dad did
0 put ,*e]io 9 8 crate4 ,!n he took a
%[] to wa% (f ! f.ta9 wat]4 ,af he put
on "s dry clo!s1 he came 9to ! liv+
room4
  8,dad10 ,i sd4 ,i _h be5 wait+ = hm4
8,y've got to give ,*e]io ano!r *.e4
,pl1se40
  ,he didn't answ]1 j walk$
----------------------------------#ajd
9to ! d9+ room4 ,i foll[$ "r 2h hm4
  8,i've only "kn hm = "o "d1 ,dad1 &
he's alr my be/ fr10 ,i pl1d$4   a#ajd
  8,!n y %d h tak5 bett] c>e ( hm10 my
dad sd4 8,lett+ hm (f ! l1% 0 v
dang]\s = hm40
  8,b1 ,dad 4440
  ,he pick$ up 8 ph"o & turn$ 8 back
to me4
  8,y're n call+ ! animal %elt]1 >e y1
,dad80 ,i ask$ n]v\sly4
  8,n yet10 he answ]$4
  8,gd10 ,i sd4 8,!n >e y call+ = a
pizza80
  8,hank1 ,i'm call+ to 9vite
----------------------------------#aje
,rick ,mc,kelty ov]10 he sd4 8,yr dog
9t]rupt$ a v important busi;s 3v]sa;n
t we h to f9i%4 ,i'll call ! animal
%elt] 9 ! morn+40
  ,i li/5$ z he >rang$ = ,mr4
,mc,kelty to come ov]4 ,i hop$ t af _!
3v]sa;n1 ,i'd h ano!r *.e to *ange my
dad's m9d4
  ,i w5t 9to my room & ?rew myf onto
my b$4 ,:5 ,i ?"\ ab los+ ,*e]io1 ,i
cdn't hold 9 my te>s any l;g]4     #de
,i cri$ s m* t my pill[ got      a#aje
soak+ wet4
  ,i don't "k h[ l;g ,i lay
----------------------------------#ajf
"! cry+4 ,f9ally1 ,i got up & blew my
nose ab tw5ty "ts4 ,!n ,i call$
,frankie to talk ov] ! situa;n1 b 8
mom sd he 0 \ at 8 k>ate lesson4 ,i
call$ ,a%ley4 ,:5 ,i got a record+
say+1 8,! ,w;gs >5't available to take
yr call10 ,i hung up )\t ev5 l1v+ a
message4 ,!n ,i tri$ call+ ,papa
,pete4
----------------------------------#ajg
,he wasn't home1 ei4 ,": 0 "ey"o :5 ,i
ne$$ !m ! mo/8
  ,i he>d ! 9t]com buzz] r++ 9 ! liv+
room4
  8,hank60 my "f call$4 8,t m/ 2 ,rick
,mc,kelty4 ,pl1se buzz hm in4 ,tell hm
,i'm j pr9t+ \ a few pap]s = u to g
ov]40
  ,! buzz] rang ag4
  8,hank60 my "f call$4 8,d x n[60
  ,i w5t 9to ! liv+ room & spoke 9to !
9t]com4                          a#ajg
  8,come on up10 ,i sd1 my nose s.d+
all /u6y4 8,t5? floor40
  ,:5 ,rick ,mc,kelty /epp$
----------------------------------#ajh
\ ( ! elevator a few m9utes lat]1 he 0
n al"o4 ,by 8 side 0 8 tr\blemak] son4
  8,my dad's "h to hire yr dad10 ,nick
! ,tick sd1 a smirk pla/]$ acr 8 l>ge
face4 ,!n he walk$ "r pa/ me & 9to \r
liv+ room4
  8,":'s yr /upid dog80 he ask$ me4
  8,he's lock$ 9 8 crate4 ,& !n he's
go+ back to ! %elt]1 ?anks to y40
----------------------------------#aji
  ,\r dads _h alr sat d[n at !
d9+-room table to talk1 busi;s4
  8,yr h\se is bor+10 ,mc,kelty sd4
8,don't y h any?+ fun to d "h80
  ,j !n1 ,emily came \ ( h] room1 we>+
,ka!r9e >.d h] neck l a sc>f ag4
,mc,kelty's eyes grew wide at ! si<t4
  8,hey1 :y don't y 9troduce me to yr
liz>d fr80 he sd to ,emily4
  8,%e's n a liz>d10 ,emily told   #dg
hm4 8,%e's a v s5sitive          a#aji
iguana4 ,s pl1se keep yr voice d[n40
----------------------------------#aaj
  8,excuse me = br1?+10 ,nick sd4
  ,! ?ree ( u j /ood "! 9 sil;e4 ,i cd
he> ,*e]io :imp]+ 2h ! kit*5 door4
  8,yr dog is cry+ l a baby10
,mc,kelty sd4 8,:at's 8 problem80
  8,*e]io is 2+ puni%$10 ,emily sd4
8,he wdn't /ay on 8 l1% 9 ! p>k40
  8,t's 2c ,i unhook$ x40 ,mc,kelty
snick]$4
  8,:y wd y d t80 ,emily ask$4
  8,seem$ l x wd 2 fun10 ! big creep
answ]$4
----------------------------------#aaa
8,i want$ to see h[ m* tr\ble yr
bro!r's %ort-le7$ runt cd cause40
  8,? is :at ,i've be5 try+ to expla9
to ,dad10 ,i told ,emily4 8,:at happ5$
9 ! p>k wasn't my fault4 ,& x sure
wasn't ,*e]io's40
  ,emily :irl$ >.d s fa/ t h] braids
:ipp$ me 9 ! face4 ,)\t a ^w1 %e /orm$
9to ! d9+ room4 ,poor ,ka!r9e ne>ly
fell (f h] %\ld]s4 ,h] ll        a#aaa
claws _h to "w ov]"t j to hang on4
  8,dad60 ,emily sd1 putt+ h]f "r 9
front ( 8 face4
----------------------------------#aab
  8,n n[1 ,emily10 ,dad sd4 8,i am
hav+ a busi;s meet+40
  8,b1 ,dad1 y h to he> ?4 ,x c't
wait40
  ,my dad turn$ to ,rick ,mc,kelty4
8,i'm sorry = ! 9t]rup;n10 he sd4 ,!n1
turn+ to ,emily1 he ask$1 8,n[1 .1:at
is s important80
  8,y "k ,ka!r9e & ,i
----------------------------------#aac
>e n fans ( ,*e]io10 %e sd4 8,b fair
is fair40
  8,emily1 we c 4cuss ! dog af !
,mc,keltys l1ve10 he sd 9 a l[ voice4
  8,mr4 ,mc,kelty %d he> ? too10 %e
told hm4 8,x wasn't ,hank :o let
,*e]io (f ! l1%4 ,x 0 ,nick4 ,he did x
j to 2 m1n4 ,& he admitt$ x "r "! 9 !
liv+ room4 ,didn't he1 ,ka!r9e80
  ,ka!r9e %ot \ h] t;gue &         #di
hiss$4                           a#aac
  8,y see80 ,emily sd4 8,ka!r9e n"e
lies40
  ,i felt l ,i ne$$ to wa% \ my e>s4
,i cdn't 2lieve :at ,i 0 he>+4 ,emily1
!
----------------------------------#aad
"o :o n"e want$ ,*e]io 9 ! f/ place1 0
com+ to 8 rescue4 ,ev5 ,ka!r9e 0
def5d+ hm4 ,i n"e r1liz$ :at a grt
reptile %e was4
  8,nick10 ,mr4 ,mc,kelty sd1 8is ?
true80
  8,:at's ! big d1l1 ,dad80 ,mc,kelty
answ]$4 8,i ?"\ ! dog ne$$ "s
ex]cise40
  8,nick1 t's n a deci.n = y to make40
,8 dad s.d$ angry4 8,t pet does n 2l;g
to y40
  ,rick ,mc,kelty /ood up & collect$ 8
pap]s f ! table4
  8,/an10 he sd1 8we'll 3t9ue \r
busi;s at ano!r
----------------------------------#aae
"t4 ,"r n[1 ,i'm tak+ ,nick home4 ,he
& ,i >e go+ to h a s]i\s         a#aae
3v]sa;n40
  ,"o ?+ ,i "k = sure4 ,:5 yr mom or
dad says !y're go+ to h a s]i\s
3v]sa;n ) y1 no?+ gd happ5s4
  ,i fla%$ ,nick my be/ ,zipz] smile4
  8,5joy yr *at10 ,i :isp]$4
  ,:5 !y 7 g"o1 ,i turn$ to my dad4
  8,hank1 ,i [e y an apology10 he sd4
  ,i %ook my h1d to make sure ,i
wasn't we>+ "s"o else's e>s4 ,b !y 7
m9e1 all "r4
----------------------------------#aaf
  8,y tri$ to tell me ! tru? ab :at
happ5$ 9 ! p>k10 he w5t on4 8,& ,i
didn't li/54 ,i ?"\ ,i knew :at _h
happ5$1 b ,i 0 wr;g4 ,i %dn't h blam$
y until ,i _h ! facts4 ,i'm sorry1
,hank40
  ,i ran to my dad & ?rew my >ms >.d 8
neck4
  8,i am s happy "r n[1 ,i cd scr1m10
,i sd4 ,& !n ,i did4
  8,s does ? m1n we c keep ,*e]io80 ,i
ask$ hm4                           #ea
  8,? m1ns y h to 3t9ue to /ep   a#aaf
up to ! plate10 he answ]$4
  ,:at 0 he talk+ ab8
----------------------------------#aag
,i don't ev5 play baseball4
  8,*e]io c /ay10 he expla9$1 8b only
if ,i 3t9ue to see improve;t 9 yr
grades4 ,t 0 \r agree;t4 ,rememb]1 ,i
sd all yr grades _h to improve1 n j a
few4 ,t 0 ! d1l1 & ,i expect y to keep
x40
  ,to me1 t s.d$ l a yes4
-----------------------------#aah-#aai

             ,,*apt] #ab

  ,i ask$ my mom to make sure %e 0
home at exactly six ?irty4 ,i 9vit$
,papa ,pete1 ,frankie1 & ,a%ley ov]1
too4 ,!y all >riv$ on "t4
  ,i ask$ "ey"o to sit on ! liv+-room
floor 9 a big circle4 ,i didn't ev5
object :5 ,emily br"\ ,ka!r9e4 ,i
want$ all my family & frs "!4
  ,af ! :ole gr\p 0 ga!r$1 ,i w5t 9to
my room                          a#aai
----------------------------------#abj
to get ,*e]io4 ,i pick$ hm up & put hm
on my pill[4 ,!n ,i c>ri$ hm 9to !
liv+ room & plac$ ! pill[ 9 ! c5t] ( !
circle4
  8,i h ga!r$ "ey"o tgr "h to welcome
,*e]io 9to \r family10 ,i ann\nc$4 ,!n
,i pick$ up ! piece ( pap] ,i _h
decorat$ :ile ,i 0 wait+ = "ey"o to
come ov]4 ,x 0 ,*e]io's (ficial bir?
c]tificate4 ,i cle>$ my ?roat & r1d
al\d4
  8,? pap] says t ,*e]io f9ally has a
la/ "n10 ,i r1d4 8,f ? "d =?1 he % 2
"kn z ,*e]io ;,s4 ,zipz]40
----------------------------------#aba
  8,:at's ! ;,s =80 ,emily ask$4
  8,sup]dog10 ,i answ]$4
  8,cool "n60 ,frankie nodd$4
  8,n[ all he ne$s is a ,sup]dog
cape10 ,papa ,pete sd4
  8,) rh9e/"os10 ,a%ley add$4
  ,my mom lau<$1 & "ey"o else jo9$ in4
,i ?9k ,i saw my dad alm smile4    #ec
  ,we celebrat$ ) milk &         a#aba
cookies4 ,:ile ,i 0 f9i%+ my favorite
black-&-:ite cookie1 my dad pick$ up
,*e]io's bir? c]tificate4
----------------------------------#abb
  8,hank10 he po9t$ \1 8y've spell$
.1,*e]io wr;g4 ,"! >e two ,es 9 8 "n4
,y'll h to rewrite ?40
  ,he h&$ ! pap] back to me4
  8,sorry1 ,*e]io10 ,i sd4 8,i'm n !
be/ spell] 9 ! _w40
  ,he didn't c>e4 ,he snat*$ ! pap] \
( my h& & took a big bite \ ( x4 ,!n )
"ey"o wat*+1 he did 8 crazy sp94 ,i'm
pretty sure he
----------------------------------#abc
0 tell+ u all h[ happy he 0 to 2 a
,zipz]4
  8,t dog is crazy10 ,emily sd4
  8,crazy happy10 ,i answ]$4 8,j l
me40




             ,,*apt] #ac          #abd

         ,,,! ?ree cute/ ?+s
        my dog1 *e]io1 does,'
          ,,,by hank zipz],'

#a4 ,absolutely "ey?+4

  ,"! is no #b & #c4

             @.<,! ,5d@.>













                                   #ee