by Daphne Maple
“I get it,” I hissed.
Jasmine and Tasha exchanged a look and headed upstairs, leaving me with my bad mood and a ton of dirty dishes.
It took me almost an hour but the kitchen was finally spotless, which I knew would make my dad happy. I hoped he would understand that it was my way of thanking him for the cookies and apologizing for the fight with Anna. He probably would—my dad was smart like that.
I headed upstairs and was walking into my room when my phone vibrated with a text from Kim.
Check PP site. Will call u in 5.
Uh-oh.
I fired up my computer and logged onto the Pampered Puppy website. There was a new home page, written in bold print and dotted with cute drawings of dogs. None of which seemed that bad until I started reading it.
How do you know you can count on the people looking after your dog? We know you ask yourself this question anytime you trust pet sitters in a new setting. And if you are leaving your pet with young, inexperienced caretakers, you have good reason to worry. That’s why Pampered Puppy offers something new to Roxbury Park: trained professionals to care for your pet. We guarantee safety and happiness—and you’ll know your dog is getting the best care possible because you will get to see it in action anytime you want with our live webcam! At Pampered Puppy Doggy Day Care we offer you the peace of mind that only comes with qualified professionals! And that’s the best deal out there!
My stomach was boiling as I read it a second time. This was a clear attack on our Dog Club! I should have guessed that Brianna’s mom would be just like Brianna and hit us where it hurt.
“This is just wrong,” I said when Kim called a few minutes later. I saw she’d set up a three-way line so Sasha was on too. “Brianna’s mom is totally going after us.”
“You were right,” Sasha said, sounding really upset. “They want to get their business going by ruining ours. I didn’t want to believe it, but it’s obviously true.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty blatant,” Kim said. I could hear the distress in her voice.
“How are we going to fight back?” I asked. My bedroom was usually my oasis, with my pictures all over the walls, my favorite books piled up on my bookcase, and my fluffy blue comforter. But tonight nothing was going to soothe me, and I began pacing.
“I think we should start a new campaign,” Kim said. She’d clearly been thinking about this. “Pampered Puppy is saying we have no experience with dogs, but we do, and we need to let people know that.”
“Oh, good idea,” Sasha said. “How do we do it?”
“I’m thinking we make new flyers,” Kim said. “And put on quotes from our dog owners saying how much they love our Dog Club. If people see how much our customers love us, they’ll know we’re fully capable of taking care of dogs.”
“Smart,” I said. “It’s not just us saying we’re good, but people who use the club speaking for us and saying we’re awesome.”
“It really is perfect,” Sasha agreed. “And we can use the quotes we have on our website.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” Kim said, clearly pleased we liked her plan.
“We should put pictures on too,” Sasha said. “And we have tons of those from the blog.”
“They don’t look that good in black-and-white though,” Kim said regretfully. The printer at the shelter was old and didn’t do colors.
“I’ll get my mom to make copies at her office,” Sasha decided.
“That would be terrific,” I said, thinking how cool it would be to have sleek, colorful ads for our Dog Club. “I just wish we could put in photos of us with the dogs.”
“Me too,” Kim said. “But my parents said no public pictures until I’m in high school.” Which was exactly what my dad said.
“My mom too,” Sasha said with a sigh. “Plus she’s mad at me about the English quiz I failed, so now is not the time to ask her about that. I think she’ll do the flyers though—she’s a big supporter of the club.”
My stomach dropped at her words—Sasha never failed things. But before I could ask her about it, she went on.
“And speaking of that quiz, I need to go so I can finish the reading for tomorrow,” she said.
“Okay,” Kim said. I could hear the concern in her voice but I knew she wanted to give Sasha the time she needed to get her homework done, just like I did. “We’ll get on this tomorrow.”
We ended the call. I needed to start my homework but first I clicked onto our website and copied down the best quotes so we could get started on our flyers at lunch the next day. It would be easiest if we could just use our cell phones to get the quotes, but since we couldn’t turn them on in school, this was the next best thing. That way Sasha could give the flyer to her mom tomorrow night, and by the end of the week the whole town would know just how great the Roxbury Park Dog Club was!
11
“I brought cookies,” I announced as I sat down at our lunch table. I’d grabbed the box on my way out, while Anna was upstairs getting her school stuff together, so there were plenty.
“Oh, too funny, so did I,” Sasha exclaimed, holding up a Tupperware. “We’ll have plenty of fuel while we design our flyers. Where are yours from?”
“My dad got them last night at Trattoria Romana—he had a client dinner,” I said, opening the top. A light scent of sugar and butter wafted out, fighting the bigger smells of overcooked vegetables and grease that always hung in a cloud over the cafeteria.
“Hey, that’s what I brought too,” Sasha said, sounding surprised. “My mom told me she ate there last night but she didn’t mention that she was with your dad.”
“My dad didn’t say anything either,” I said. Which was weird—my dad knew I loved that he worked with my best friend’s mom. But there wasn’t time to worry about that, not when we had flyers to design. “I copied some quotes down,” I said, pulling out the paper from last night.
“Good,” Kim said. She had taken three pieces of paper and spread them out on the table in front of her. “I was thinking we should start with three different designs, to keep it interesting.”
“Great,” Sasha said. “How should we do them?”
“I think a quote should go on the top,” Kim said, beginning to write as she spoke. “Then a picture, then our information. It’s straight to the point so people get the message fast.”
“Sounds good,” Sasha said, nodding. “And my mom is going to print them out tomorrow. I asked her at breakfast, and she’s happy to help us.”
“Awesome,” I said, and Kim grinned.
“Taylor, do you want to email me pictures later?” Sasha asked. “I can set it all up on my mom’s computer tonight.”
“It’s a plan,” I said, scraping out the last of my yogurt, then grabbing a cookie. “Which pictures do you guys think we should use?”
“Definitely that one of Daisy, Gus, and Coco sleeping together,” Sasha said immediately. She was done with her salad and had moved on to dessert too.
“That one is so cute,” Kim agreed. “And I love that one of Popsicle and Mr. S both catching a Frisbee at the same time. We should use that one for sure.” She popped the last bite of her sandwich into her mouth and grabbed a cookie.
Sasha nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, that’s one of my favorites,” she said.
I couldn’t help feeling a flush of pride as they talked.
“There’s also the one of Hattie and Humphrey where they’re touching noses,” Kim said. “And the one of Gus leaning on Boxer.”
“It’s hard to choose with so many great options,” Sasha said.
“You guys are making me blush,” I told them. They both stopped talking. “I didn’t mean you should stop,” I said, grinning. “Carry on!”
They laughed.
“Looks like the party’s over here,” Emily said, turning around to face our table.
“That’s because we have cookies,” I said, handing her my box. “Take some.”
“Thanks,” Emily said, reaching for it and pa
ssing it around their table.
“Take a lot,” Sasha said. “We have doubles.” She was eating a chocolate cream sandwich cookie that looked really good. I pulled her Tupperware over to see if there were any more like it.
“Check out our idea for our new flyers,” Kim said, passing over the sketches.
“Wow, this quote is awesome,” Rachel said. “‘Our dogs love their time at the Roxbury Park Dog Club. It’s a real find.’” That one was from the Cronins.
“You guys sure are popular,” Naomi said, holding up another flyer. “‘The staff at Roxbury Park are the most loving, responsible caregivers any dog owner could hope for,’” she read. That was Coco’s owner.
“We’re hoping the flyers will make us even more popular,” Kim said, crunching on one of the pink leaf cookies.
“No doubt they will,” Emily said, looking at the last flyer. “‘Signing our dog up for the Roxbury Park Dog Club was the best choice we ever made!’ That’s a great endorsement.”
“That one’s my favorite,” I agreed. It was from Mrs. Washington, and she’d said it to me on a day when Gus was all covered with mud from playing dog tag. I’d been really worried she’d have a fit like Mrs. Whitman had with Clarabelle the poodle, but her reaction was the opposite.
“I think these are going to get you tons of business,” Rachel said, passing back the nearly empty box of cookies.
I held up my hands. “I can’t take it back till it’s empty,” I said. “Because if I eat one more cookie I’m going to explode!”
They laughed and took the remaining cookies as the bell rang. Sasha gathered up our designs for the flyers and we headed out, fortified with cookies and ready to fight for our Dog Club.
The last class of the day had ended and I was heading to my locker when I heard a familiar voice right behind me.
“Do you have asthma or something, New Girl?” Brianna asked, squeezing past two girls so she could walk next to me.
It sounded like a normal question, which was really surprising because we’d just left our math class and I’d seen her glaring at me when I got an answer right.
“No,” I said. It was starting to occur to me that it was also a weird question.
“Oh, I assumed you did,” she said. “Because you were making all those snorting noises in math.”
Her words sucked the air out of my lungs. “What do you mean?” I asked. I hadn’t been aware of how I was breathing, but maybe I was making noise without even realizing it? I had been pretty focused on the lesson because algebra was my favorite class.
“You didn’t notice people looking at you?” Brianna asked, surprised. “It was pretty loud.”
I shook my head, anxiety pricking at me. Of course it was possible she was making it all up to be mean, but what if she wasn’t? Anna sometimes called me a mouth breather. Maybe when I wasn’t thinking about it I breathed really loudly and made weird noises.
“Well, I’d be more aware in the future,” Brianna said, moving ahead of me but looking back for one last barb. “Oh, and let me know if you want any flyers from Pampered Puppy—you know, to give your clients when you guys go out of business once and for all.”
I knew Brianna could see how much her words upset me, but at this point I didn’t even care. The remark about flyers was a low blow, and what if I did really sound like a pig in my classes? I did a quick U-turn, nearly bumping into two boys from math, and practically ran through the crowd to Kim’s locker.
“Do I breathe too loudly?” I asked her.
Kim was putting books into her backpack but she stopped immediately and looked at me, slightly confused but instantly reassuring. “No, you most certainly do not,” she said.
“You’re sure?” I asked. “You’d be honest? Because if I’m making snorting noises like a pig and other people notice, that’s totally humiliating. And as my best friend, you’re obligated to keep me from being totally humiliated.”
Kim rested a hand gently on my arm. “I promise I will always let you know if I think you are in danger of total humiliation,” she said. “And I would have told you ages ago if you sounded like a pig.”
I was starting to calm down. Kim would tell me the truth, I knew that. And as I let it sink in, another truth hit me: Brianna had gotten me again. And not only did I forget every piece of advice I’d gotten from Kim and Sasha, but I’d totally fallen into her trap.
I sighed and leaned against Kim’s locker. “It turns out I’m not so good at pretending stuff doesn’t bother me,” I said to Kim.
She patted my shoulder protectively. “Well, anyone would be upset if they thought they were snorting in class,” she said, which made me laugh.
But as I walked back to my locker for my stuff, I couldn’t help worrying that I’d never be able to stop Brianna from giving me a hard time.
And that was anything but funny.
12
“I think we have the whole town covered,” Kim said, sounding satisfied as she taped up the last flyer from our stack. We’d raced into town right after school to put them up.
“I love how they stand out,” Sasha said, looking at the town hall bulletin board, where we’d hung a flyer front and center.
“Your mom did a super job with them,” I said. She’d used a glossy paper that made the flyers look like movie posters.
“It was a good design,” Sasha said.
“With terrific photos,” Kim added.
“I guess we’re just a great team,” I said. Then I checked my watch. “And we’re a team that needs to get going because we have dogs waiting.”
Now that downtown Roxbury Park was covered with our flyers, it was time to pick up dogs for Dog Club.
“See you guys in a few minutes,” I called as I headed over to get Humphrey and Popsicle. Their home was only a block away, so in no time I had them leashed up and on the way to the shelter.
When I walked in I saw that Tim had a game of dog basketball going. Popsicle took one look and ran over to join Boxer, Lily, Gus, and Hattie, who had arrived before us with Kim. A moment later Sasha walked in with Mr. S and Coco.
“The gang’s all here,” Caley announced happily. “Which means it’s time for dog tag.”
She led the way outside, the dogs rushing to follow and the rest of us close behind. It was a gray day but warm and kind of humid.
“Taylor, you’re it,” Caley called, throwing me the ball. I tossed it across the yard. The dogs streaked after it while the humans ran. Hattie got it first, scooping it up and racing away as the bigger dogs arrived. They chased her over to Kim, and Kim was it. She threw the ball toward the far corner of the yard, and everyone began running again.
Not surprisingly, Humphrey was the first to take a break. He found a cozy spot under the big oak tree and settled down with a sigh. I sat down next to him, breathing hard from all the running, and stroked his silky ears. A few minutes later Hattie came over for a hug.
“Who’s a sweet girl?” I asked her, snuggling her close. “Oh, and you have a new collar.” It was green, which looked great with her shaggy white fur. She had a bright silver name tag that said “Hattie Wong” and listed the Wongs’ phone number. “I bet you love your new home,” I told her.
“I think she does,” Kim agreed, dropping down next to me and scratching Hattie’s ears. “She seems so happy since the Wongs adopted her.”
She really did.
A moment later the ball zipped past and Hattie was up and after it.
“Break’s over,” Tim called, and Kim and I stood up to rejoin the game.
All too soon the owners were arriving. First was Mrs. Washington, with Mr. Wong on her heels. Gus raced up to greet his owner, but Hattie was playing in the corner with Popsicle and didn’t look up when Mr. Wong called her.
“Maybe she didn’t hear you,” I said.
“Hattie,” he called again, a bit louder this time.
Hattie looked over and then went back to her game. Which was typical of a puppy. Hattie hadn’t had any real tra
ining and probably thought it was fine for her owner to wait until she was done playing.
Mr. Wong was frowning. “It seems like she doesn’t want to leave,” he said.
I laughed. “She has so much fun when she comes here,” I said. “Don’t worry, we’ll help.”
Kim went over and stopped the game, then led Hattie over to Mr. Wong. Hattie jumped up to give Mr. Wong a kiss, then ran to say good-bye to her friends.
“I don’t think she wants to come home,” Mr. Wong said. It looked like he was trying to smile but it wasn’t quite working. He was probably in a rush.
“I’ll get her,” I said, taking her leash from his hands and heading over to Hattie. She stood quietly while I snapped it on and then allowed me to lead her to her owner.
“Thanks for the help,” Mr. Wong said. The corners of his mouth were turned down. “I guess I needed it.”
“She just loves being with her friends,” Kim said. “But if you’re firm she’ll learn to leave when you say, not when she decides she’s ready.”
Her words were warm and reassuring, but Mr. Wong still looked upset as he carefully walked Hattie out.
“It’s hard to be a first-time dog owner,” Alice said as the door closed behind them.
I hadn’t realized she had come out of her office to say good-bye to the dogs.
“There’s so much to learn,” she went on, bending down to pet Gracie, who had her chewed-up teddy in her mouth.
“The Wongs are lucky to have a dog as sweet as Hattie,” I said. Oscar was twining around my ankles and I knelt to stroke his soft fur.
“And Hattie’s lucky to have them,” Kim added. “They’re so nice.”
Alice nodded. “They clearly care about her a great deal, and that’s what matters most.”
When the last of the owners had picked up their dogs, Kim, Sasha, and I said good-bye and headed out.
“I’m so glad we got our flyers up,” Sasha said as we headed for home.
“Has anyone called or emailed yet?” Kim asked her.
Sasha shook her head. “Alice hasn’t forwarded anything to me.”