Finding Danny
Page 12
Kate was pretty upset that we didn’t make it to her party, but Lulu and I made it up to her with the kind of day we knew she’d love. Mall shopping and a movie, then a sleepover. Yes, we were very different, but she was still one of my oldest friends.
I had gone to the shelter to volunteer with Rayleen every Saturday since our big adoption day, and New Hope Steve had even introduced me to his boss, who had decided to start a youth volunteer program at their shelter. We had another big adoption day coming up in a few weeks. Kate had even said she’d give it a try and come help out.
“I’m glad your dad’s getting serious about writing his book,” Rayleen said as she threw a stick to the two dogs, who gave chase after it.
It was late afternoon and the sun was at its most special color of the day, soft and golden.
“He called from Kabul and said he’s writing at night,” I said, looking over at Rayleen and taking in every inch of her slowly. I wanted to hold on to the memory of her, how she looked now and always: strong, sinewy arms, cargo pants, flip-flops, and wild, caramel-colored hair.
“Do you have to leave?” I felt my throat close around the words.
“Yes, sweet pea. My work here’s done. New Mexico is callin’. I’ve placed all the rescue dogs, ’cept Clay, who I’m keeping for sentimental reasons.” She cleared her throat. “I wouldn’t have met you if it weren’t for him.” She looked out across the lawn as Neptune and Danny rolled around in the grass together.
“I wish you’d stay,” I said softly.
Rayleen reached over and hugged me. “Hey, I’m leavin’ the LA downtown shelter dogs in good hands. Got you and New Hope Steve runnin’ the show. That’s a fine team if ever I saw one.”
“My mom’s talked her station into letting her do an Adopt a Rescue Pet segment three mornings a week.”
“That’s great news, sweet pea. Told ya she was a keeper.”
Danny and Neptune came bounding over and drank thirstily from the water bowl. Rayleen bent down to give Neptune and Danny a last hug good-bye.
“The note I wrote to Danny,” I said. “What’d you do with it?”
She had one arm around each dog, the golden light engulfing them in a shimmering circle.
“Gave the envelope a kiss and sent it to my mama up in heaven.” Rayleen looked up at me with tears in her eyes. “Knew she’d come through.”
I walked Rayleen to her truck, which was loaded with her belonging and her ten dogs, including Clay. They barked and jumped up and down when they saw her and she gave a loud “Allakazam!” that made them all stop instantly.
“Magic powers,” I said. “You really have them.”
“We all do,” she said, looking deeply into my eyes. “You just have to believe.”
“Can you teach me how?”
“You’re already doing it, sweet pea.” She held me close as I breathed in her lavender and wet earth smell for the last time. “You already are.”
Epilogue
Dear Rayleen,
Thank you for the wonderful turquoise Coyote earrings and birthday card. It’s hard to believe I’m a teenager now. My mom and dad and I just got back from a week in Hawaii. I’ve always wanted us to go, so it was their b’day present to me. Danny stayed with Ashton and his two dogs, Buster and Bullwinkle, and they had a blast. I guess you could say Ashton is officially my boyfriend, since our dogs all get along so well. That’s a joke, but hopefully he will be someday!
I’m glad the rescue work is going well in New Mexico. Nineteen new dogs living with you plus your ten! That must be one of your all-time records. I’m sure you will find great homes for all of them.
In the months since Danny has been back I have had a lot of time to think about everything. What I’ve come to realize is that his disappearance was a gift in a way I could have never imagined. It took me on a journey to find him, but in my search I found you, and Martha, and New Hope Steve, and my passion for saving animals, and Ashton. It brought me closer to Lulu—we work every weekend at the shelter together—and it gave me a chance to get closer to my dad and especially, especially my mom. She only works two full days and is home with me a lot. She now does the morning “Save a Pet” segment that was totally her idea. It’s a big hit with the viewers!
I would never want to lose Danny ever again, and I know we won’t. He has a very secure new collar with three different phone numbers on it, and we got him microchipped. He even has a GPS system on him now. It cost a fortune, but my dad says he’s more than worth it.
There’s this saying that I always used to think about, and it used to make me upset. It is “The only thing in life that’s constant is change.” But my dad, who’s in India right now, sent me this great book by Mahatma Gandhi, and right there on the first page is a quote by him that was meant for me to see. He said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
This was the lesson you taught me, Rayleen.
Thank you for being my mentor and guide.
Always,
Your “sweet pea,”
Bree
Author’s Note
I hope that reading my book has encouraged you to think about helping animals in need. Like Bree, becoming a volunteer with a local shelter is a great way to make a difference in an animal’s life. If your family is thinking about adopting a pet, instead of going to the pet store, ask your parents to take a trip to a nearby shelter or rescue group. There are tons of shelters and rescue groups all over the country. To find one close to you simply type in “animal shelter” or “animal rescue group” along with your city and state into any search engine and you will get all the information you need.
I know it can sometimes feel overwhelming that there are so many animals in need and that it is impossible to help them all. When I start feeling overwhelmed, I think about these words:
Saving just ONE DOG won’t change the world…but it will surely change the world of that ONE DOG.
In the words of the great political and spiritual leader of India Mahatma Gandhi, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Many thanks,
Linzi
If you’d like to learn about my rescue dogs or get more information about rescuing animals, go to: www.theforgottendog.org
Acknowledgments
If Cary Granat had not stood in my garden, surrounded by my pack of rescue dogs, this book would never have existed. I am eternally grateful to him for his moment of inspiration and his belief in my writing and rescue life.
I am doubly blessed to have had the gentle but constructive guidance of two wonderful editors: Kellie Celia, associate editor of Walden Pond Press, whose thoughtful input was invaluable; and Jordan Brown, editor of Walden Pond Press, whose clear insights greatly helped this story. Special thanks to Walden Pond Press publisher, Chip Flaherty, and editorial director, Debbie Kovacs, who both supported this book from its inception. A word of thanks to Amy Ryan, who designed the wonderful book jacket. My gratitude to production editor Jon Howard and copy editor Brooke Dworkin, and a nod of appreciation to Alessandra Balzer and Donna Bray, publishers of Walden Pond Press at HarperCollins.
A word of thanks to my agent, Kenneth Wright, at Writers House, who is always there when I need him.
I am fortunate to be part of an amazing group of writers that meets every Tuesday evening. Our years spent sharing pages and ideas have guided me in ways that I could never quantify. My love to Lisa Doctor, my dear friend and writing teacher, who knows me from cover to cover. A big hug to a jewel of a friend, Terri Cheney, and thanks as always to fellow S.A. writer and friend Helena Kriel, the very lovely Terry Hoffmann, and the kind and insightful Robert Rotstein for your collective creative support.
My family and friends are cherished and irreplaceable, and words cannot express my appreciation for their support. A big hug goes to my BFF, Kathy Jackoway, who remains a beautiful, permanent fixture at my side through good and bad. My love and gratitude to Barb
ara Mandel, whose generosity and friendship know no bounds. My thanks to good friends Patty Wheelock and Sharon Cicero, who both have such big hearts. A huge word of thanks to my mom and dad for their unconditional support. A word of gratitude to Ron Furst, whose sane guidance keeps my feet on the ground. And a word of thanks to ex-hubby, Marvin Katz, who remains a welcome joy in my life.
Being in the trenches of animal rescue is gut wrenching, exhausting, heartbreaking, and draining—both financially and emotionally. But it is also exhilarating, extraordinary, and rewarding beyond words. There is no greater joy for those of us in rescue than uniting a shelter, street, abused, or abandoned dog with a wonderful new forever owner.
We are a group of dedicated volunteers who do this simply for the love of the animals. The rescue saints are all exceptional in their own way, but I salute those whom I have had the privilege to know and work with over the past few years. To Sylva Kelegian, my rescue mentor who showed me the way; Victoria Burrows of Starpaws Rescue, who is a huge support in every way and allows us all to have a place to show our dogs for adoptions every Sunday; Steve Spiro and Suzanna Urszuly, the gorgeous duo who never stop saving dogs; and Kris Kelly, who is fierce in her rescue convictions and generously supplies me with dog food. A huge debt of gratitude to my dog fosters Karen Dice, Barbara Levitan, Lizza Reed, and Pam Carter. These amazing women stepped in at the eleventh hour and took in dogs that otherwise would have been euthanized or remained in awful situations. An added word of appreciation to Cappi Patterson, for all her rescue efforts; thanks to Peter James, our very special dog whisperer; to Stefanie Pelka, dedicated trainer and “Bailey” lover; to Simone Wuncher, for committing her pet store, Pet Mania, to take in and place only rescue dogs; to the beyond courageous Helen Darvall, our Sunday adoption rescue angels Suzanne Happ, Lorna and Mark Round, the Sullivan and Boland families, eleven-year-old Jackie Sanett, and Starr Barragan, who will drive anywhere to save an animal. My gratitude to Tomika Johnson, New Hope Coordinator at the South Los Angeles shelter, who fights every day to save the lives of red listed animals, and fabulous dog sitter Chrissy Giardini, who stops in and takes over whenever I travel. Special thanks to officer Dancie Shepherd at the Santa Monica shelter, who is a true animal lover. A big thanks to Dr. Gary Adams of Westside Emergency Animal Hospital for truly giving the best medical care to sick rescue dogs and reducing costs drastically. There are many, many more, but my special thanks to these selfless men and women.
My love and appreciation to my daughter, Jordan, who has put up with many a pair of chewed shoes, stepping into “accidents,” and accompanying me on rescue missions when she is home from college in New York.
And lastly, a loving thanks to my high-strung, four-pound Chihuahua, Preston, who was saved from the mean streets of Compton more than six years ago and became my very first rescue dog. If it were not for you, my sweet boy, I would not have saved all the dogs that I have since the day you were placed in my arms.
Mission: Humane!
THE HUMANE SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED STATES
Get Active for Animals!
Young people across the country speak up for animals in need.
You can too—join Mission: Humane!
Join Mission: Humane to take part in projects to protect animals, learn how to form a club, and get fun rewards for taking action! Projects include:
A Cause for Paws. Learn about dog care and help stop cruel puppy mills.
Combat Cruelty. Raise awareness about the need for stronger laws.
Friends for Hens. Educate others about the cruelty of battery cages. Birds kept in these small cages can’t walk or even spread their wings!
Shoot to Save Wildlife. Take photos of your wild animal neighbors, and use them to teach others to live peacefully with wildlife.
Coats for Cubs. Raise awareness about the cruelty of fur in clothing.
KIND News. To learn more about animal issues and what kids are doing to help, read KIND News! It features fascinating articles, puzzles, projects, and interviews with celebrities who are also actively working to help animals.
To learn how to join Mission: Humane visit
www.humanesociety.org/kids.
The animals are waiting for your help!
About the Author
LINZI GLASS is the author of two critically acclaimed novels for young adult readers, THE YEAR THE GYPSIES CAME and RUBY RED. When not writing books, she spends her time as a writing instructor and animal rescuer. Ms. Glass lives in Santa Monica, California, with her many rescue dogs and has a college-age daughter, Jordan.
Find out more about Linzi and helping rescue dogs at www.linziglass.com and www.theforgottendog.org.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
Credits
Jacket art © 2010 by Tim Jessell
Jacket design by Amy Ryan
Copyright
FINDING DANNY. Copyright © 2010 by Linzi Glass. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Glass, Linzi Alex.
Finding Danny / Linzi Glass.—1st ed.
p. cm.
Summary: While searching for her lost dog, Danny, twelve-year-old Bree meets Rayleen—a volunteer at the local animal shelter—who helps Bree put her life in perspective.
ISBN 978-0-06-179716-3
[1. Lost and found possessions—Fiction. 2. Dogs—Fiction. 3. Animal shelters—Fiction. 4. Santa Monica (Calif.)—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.G481237Fi 2010 2009032054
[Fic]—dc22 CIP
AP
EPub Edition © March 2010 ISBN: 978-0-06-200148-1
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
25 Ryde Road (PO Box 321)
Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia
http://www.harpercollinsebooks.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
55 Avenue Road, Suite 2900
Toronto, ON, M5R, 3L2, Canada
http://www.harpercollinsebooks.ca
New Zealand
HarperCollinsPublishers (New Zealand) Limited
P.O. Box 1
Auckland, New Zealand
http://www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
77-85 Fulham Palace Road
London, W6 8JB, UK
http://www.harpercollinsebooks.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
http://www.harpercollinsebooks.com