As they exited the bathroom, the three girls almost smacked right into Hart and Dan, who were rushing off to class, too.
“Whoa,” Hart said, avoiding the collision. “Hey, Finnster …”
Madison’s cheeks turned red and hot. But they didn’t talk. No one wanted to be late for class.
Concentrating seemed pointless after that. All Madison could think of was the way Hart’s brown hair looked when they had bumped into each other, the way it was swept over to the side, the way it curled near his neck. No matter how hard she tried to think about math equations, it was Hart and his hairdo that kept popping into her head.
Since Mom was busy working on film edits this week, she’d asked Fiona’s dad to give Madison a ride to and from the animal clinic. Mr. Waters agreed. It was on the way to Chet’s karate class, which made it convenient for everyone.
While sitting in the Waterses’ car, Madison stayed silent in the backseat while Chet and his dad talked sports. Chet looked like a miniature version of his father.
“I can’t remember if you told me this or not. Are you playing on any teams, Maddie?” Mr. Waters asked. She had told him before, but she didn’t mind repeating it.
“No teams,” Madison confessed. “I work on the school Web site and now I have the volunteering.”
“Well, that’s certainly a lot to do,” Mr. Waters said. He gave Chet a sidelong glance. “Why don’t you stop playing video games and try volunteering?”
“Dad,” Chet mumbled.
The Far Hills Animal Shelter and Clinic appeared at the top of a steep road, and Mr. Waters pulled up in front.
“Thanks, Mr. Waters!” Madison said as she jumped out. “Bye, Chet!”
Inside the waiting room, chaos reigned. Big dogs sniffed little dogs while shivering cats extended claws and hissed from inside their kitty carryalls. One boy held on to a box so tightly his knuckles had turned white.
Doctor Wing read a name from his chart, and the white-knuckled boy jumped up.
“The python won’t eat,” the boy said loudly. Madison shuddered to think of the clammy snake curled up inside the box. She’d seen big snakes last summer on her trip to Brazil with Mom, and they gave her the jeebies.
Peeling the box gently from the boy’s grasp. Dr. Wing disappeared into an examining room.
“Hello?” Madison chirped over the front counter. An elderly woman was helping Eileen behind the counter. As she turned around, Madison could read Eileen’s T-shirt today: LEMUR ALONE! SAVE THE RAIN FOREST! Madison wondered how many shelves Eileen probably needed to keep her shirt collection in order. On Tuesday, she had admitted to having ninety-four T-shirts.
Madison followed Eileen into a paneled office just off the waiting room. Dan was sitting there behind a computer terminal. Madison plopped down into the one empty chair next to him.
“Hey,” he said without turning from the monitor.
“Dan’s going to show you how to keep updates on the animals in the shelter and clinic, Maddie. We log all our information onto this database. Okay, hon? See you in an hour or so,” she said, winking and shutting the door behind her.
Dan punched a few more keys to pause the screen. “This is like control central for the clinic. It’s way cool.”
“I thought volunteers just fed and watered the animals,” Madison said.
“Being a volunteer here means all kinds of stuff. I figured you might like doing the computer work, since you’re so good at it. Dr. Wing said something to my mother, too. He knows you help with the school Web site,” Dan said.
Madison was impressed that they would have considered that. She still wanted to know when she’d be doing some big-time animal rescuing, but she didn’t want to ask too many questions.
Dan stuffed half a doughnut into his mouth and wiped the corners with his sleeve. “Okay,” he mumbled, still chewing. “You gotta enter the password here. It’s Falcon this week. Dr. Wing changes it all the time.”
“Falcon. Got it,” Madison said, watching his every move. “You have … uh … jelly on your face, Dan.” She giggled.
Dan blushed and grabbed another napkin.
They proceeded to the main directory of the database, which included descriptions and photos of the animals that had been brought into the shelter for rescue. It also featured a running tally of supplies for the animals and the animal clinic, a roster of volunteers and their schedules, and much more.
“Hey, that’s me!” Madison said when she saw her name as she scrolled down a page. It said: After school, schedule permitting. Most junior high and high school students had the same notation.
Dan pointed to a list of supplies and explained to Madison how to add and subtract information based on what was being used in the veterinary office. If Madison used up a bin of kibble, she needed to enter that one bag of kibble was used on the computer.
“My mom set it up so we’d keep track. It saves her time,” Dan explained. “It’s cool being responsible for stuff, ya know?”
“I know what you mean,” Madison said, eyes fixed on the screen.
Dan pulled up another page with the special form the clinic would fill out if a dog got sick.
“If you’re checking on a dog or cat or whatever and they look sick, just look at this and you know what questions to ask. Like, ‘Does the animal have difficulty keeping food down?’ You can fill this out here, hit send, and blam! Dr. Wing gets it in his e-mailbox. Coolness, right?”
“Cool,” Madison said. “What’s that page?” She pointed to another document named Waiting Lists & Foster Care.
“The clinic is pretty small, so Dr. Wing can’t take in all the animals. So sometimes people in Far Hills give animals foster homes.”
One by one, they went over other basic procedures. Madison suddenly understood why having volunteers was so important. There was a lot going on behind the scenes. For every yelping pup in the kennel room, there was a sick cat on an examination table. For every person who wanted to adopt a stray, there were three strays that couldn’t find a home.
She watched Dan closely. Most kids at school thought of Dan as the overweight kid who only wanted brownies and never played sports. In reality, he knew about computers and animals of all kinds. Madison decided right there that Dan Ginsburg was cooler than cool.
“Ya know, I want to be a vet when I grow up,” Dan said.
“I would love to be a vet, too,” Madison said. “Or maybe a movie producer like my mom.”
“You could make movies about animals,” Dan said. “Like Jaws.”
“Jaws?” Madison gasped. She knew that was the scary movie about a man-eating shark.
Dan chuckled to himself. “Just kidding.”
After working on the database some more, Dan and Madison were on their way to becoming friends. It seemed funny to have so much in common with a boy, but Madison was thankful for it.
“DR. WING!”
There was a sudden shout coming from the waiting room. Dan recognized his mom’s voice, and they jumped up to see what was the matter.
Eileen was kneeling on the steps near the door. In her arms she was cradling a small dog, trembling and whining. Her fur was all matted and dirty. Her sad eyes were wet with tears. It looked like she had burns on her coat and tail, too. Madison wanted to look away. The dog was obviously hurting.
“Oh, man,” Dan groaned.
“Dan.” Eileen shot him a look.
Dr. Wing rushed up. “Another one, huh?” he said to Eileen. She nodded and sighed. The dog whined a little louder as more people gathered.
Dan whispered to Madison, “Sometimes people abandon their dogs right here, right on the clinic steps.”
“People just leave the dogs alone here?” Madison asked.
Dr. Wing and Eileen brought the abandoned animal into an examining room to see what damage had been done. The dog needed a bath and medicine right away. It was a mixed breed, called a schnoodle. The name was a perfect fit for the miniature dog’s mix of schnauzer and poodle. Dr. Wing checked the dog’s t
emperature, breaths per minute, and heart rate. Everything was racing.
“Gums are swollen,” Dr. Wing said, checking inside the dog’s mouth. “Needs hydration.”
Dan whispered to Madison, “Most dogs that come in off the street haven’t eaten, and they’re all dehydrated.”
“Irregular breathing,” Eileen said aloud, stroking the dog’s coat.
“Let’s get an IV over here,” Dr. Wing said.
Madison gawked. It was like an emergency-room TV show, only with animals.
“You two need to go back to the other room now,” Eileen said gently, shutting the door.
Dan shook his head. “I’ve seen that happen so many times.”
“It’s so sad,” Madison said. “What will you name this one, Dan?”
“Good question. Hmmm …” Dan thought for a moment.
“She looks like the color of cinnamon,” Madison said. “And sweet, like cinnamon sugar.”
“Sugar! I like that. Mom will, too,” Dan said.
In the back of the clinic, there was an office that was decorated more like a bedroom or a den. That was where Dr. Wing or someone on his staff would sometimes stay overnight if they were worried about an animal. Tonight the doctor was staying there himself to watch the new arrival.
Everyone wanted to make sure Sugar the schnoodle made it safely through the night.
Madison wished she could stay over, too.
Chapter 6
The Mayflower
Whew. I was afraid Egg would forget our meeting for social studies, but he didn’t. He was just LATE. We finally picked our project (the Mayflower) for Mrs. Belden’s class. Wow! He had so many great ideas about building this model of the actual Mayflower ship and putting it onto PowerPoint. I hate to say that I never expected him to be good at this kind of thing, but he is good. Wicked good.
Egg really and truly needs this project to raise his social studies grade, so the pressure’s on. I already printed a list off a Web site that explains how the real ship was built back in its day. Materials I think we need so far: poster board, clear-dry glue, board chips for the boat.
Sometimes I think I’m doing my extra-credit project with a PARTNER with a missing PART! LOL. But he did say he was sorry for being late twice. I guess I’ll get over being annoyed eventually.
When Madison couldn’t think about the extra credit anymore, she opened the file on the disk with her English essay instead. She could finish typing on the library and media center computer. This was such a quiet spot! She had to rush, however, so she could still go downstairs to meet Fiona after soccer practice. Mr. Waters was taking Madison to the Far Hills Animal Shelter and Clinic again this afternoon. This family was becoming her regular ride for her extra trips to the clinic. Madison had explained to Mom about the sick schnoodle and how much she wanted to be with her. As long as Madison got her work done. Mom said she could go more than once a week.
“Hop in, Maddie,” Mr. Waters said.
“Is Fiona around?” Madison asked, poking her head inside the front seat. She saw Fiona’s soccer bag inside the minivan.
Mr. Waters shook his head. “Around the corner. Get in and we’ll ride over there,” he said, helping push her backpack between the seat and the floor. Madison slid the door shut behind her.
“Fiona went to get her brother,” Mr. Waters said, driving around to the other side of school.
There, by the entrance and exit to the boys’ gym, Fiona was waving and waiting with Chet. Next to them, sitting on his propped-up backpack, was Egg.
Madison waved. Egg smiled.
“Hey, partner,” he joked as he got into the backseat behind Madison.
“Whatever,” Madison quipped. “When you’re not late, anyway …”
“Cut me a break, will ya?” Egg said.
“Hey, Maddie!” Fiona said, sliding open the door and jumping inside.
Chet rode up in front next to Mr. Waters.
“You’re like a limo service. Dad,” Fiona quipped. The truth was that Mr. Waters worked half days at the office and half days at home, so he could afford to get out afternoons for chauffeuring duties.
Madison twisted around to see Egg. “Why are you here, anyway?”
“Secret mission,” Egg cracked.
“Yeah, secret mission to eliminate annoying twin sisters …” Chet started to say. Fiona slugged him on the shoulder.
“And friends of twin sisters,” Egg added.
Madison shot him a look.
“Now, now. Settle down, kids,” Mr. Waters said. He changed the subject. “So how was practice, Fiona?”
“Fine.”
“What’s your coach got planned for a winning season?”
“I don’t know,” Fiona said because she didn’t feel like being interrogated. “Dad, can we get ice cream?”
“Oh yeah. Dad. Can we?” Chet asked.
While Fiona and Chet pleaded for an ice cream detour, Madison gazed out the minivan window … far, far away as she could. Outside, Far Hills was in the process of relandscaping parks and repaving its main thoroughfare. One part of the downtown area had a dog run so owners could go give their dogs exercise. As they passed by, she counted five or six dogs chasing Frisbees in clouds of dirt. Before Madison realized it, they’d arrived at the clinic.
“Here we are!” Mr. Waters announced as they pulled up in front. As Madison got out of the car, Fiona and Chet waved, but Egg made a funny face. She wasn’t sure why. He really could be so annoying.
“Good-bye!” Madison skipped away.
They drove off.
“Hellooooo?” Madison called out when she walked into the clinic. She didn’t hear any people or animals right away. “Eileen? Dan? Dr. Wing?”
Madison walked into the office first. Dan wasn’t around. She could hear Dr. Wing and a nurse in one of the examination rooms. Madison checked the animal cages. Most of the dogs were calm and quiet. Mr. Wollensky was back there today, grooming one of the Yorkie terriers who had been staying at the clinic for a while. Madison greeted them both and proceeded to read the charts in front of some of the other cages.
Blinky, arrived October 15, abandoned, eyes healing.
Blinky blinked and panted hello. Madison could tell he was getting much better. So were the dogs in connecting cages.
Pavlov, arrived September 30, neglected. Handle with care.
Pavlov was lying there, chest still heaving with uneasy rhythms. He wasn’t hurt on the outside. Pavlov was hurt on the inside. Madison imagined how much he’d suffered before getting to this place. It made her so sad.
Then she came to Sugar the schnoodle’s cage.
Since Sugar had been discovered, Dr. Wing and Eileen had taken extra-special care of her. Her coat looked shinier now. Most of the tangles were combed out. Without the scabs and matted fur, Sugar looked more like a spunky dog—rather than just a mess.
Sugar stuck her nose right up to the cage door and sniffed. When Madison put her finger a little closer, Sugar licked it gently.
“Hello, Sugar,” Madison said. “Schnoodle-oodleeee-oh.” The dog cowered a little, but still came back to investigate Madison’s scent.
“WHO are you talking to?” Dan asked, walking into the back area. “You sound like a yodeler.”
“Dan!” Madison jumped, a little taken off guard. “I didn’t know you were here!”
“So who are you talking to?”
“Just the schnoodle. She’s so pretty today,” Madison said. “I’m glad I named her Sugar.”
“Yeah, she looks way better than before,” Dan said, slinging his backpack onto the floor and walking over to the cages. “You were in pretty bad shape before, but now you’re one hot dog.”
Madison groaned. “That’s so lame, Dan.”
“It was funny! Come on!” Dan snickered. He stuck his fingertips under Sugar’s nose and she licked them.
“What happened to her?” Madison asked. “Do you think she was abused?”
Dan nodded. “My mom says so. We
get all kinds of dogs here with problems like burns from cigarettes, broken bones, and not being fed. People can be so mean. I don’t get it. How could you be mean to an animal?”
Madison’s heart sank. She couldn’t believe it, either. As the afternoon went on, Madison found herself drawn to Sugar’s cage more than the cages of any other dogs. This schnauzer-poodle loved all the attention.
“I’m a little surprised at how quickly she’s recovering, to tell ya the truth,” Dan’s mother said when she saw Madison and Sugar together. “Usually these dogs need time before they cling on to ya. You must have something special, Maddie.”
“She’s the one who’s special,” Madison said.
“Yup, this one seems to have a bond with you,” Eileen said. “You’re turning into a special volunteer in only a short time. I’m impressed, and so is Dr. Wing.”
Madison dropped her head, a little self-conscious from the sudden attention. She scratched the top of Sugar’s head.
“Well, I mean it,” Eileen said. “Right away you were a natural at this, and we’re very lucky to have you be a part of our little Far Hills Animal Clinic family.”
“Thanks, Eileen,” Madison said softly. She looked at Eileen’s T-shirt, which read LOVE A PET, LOVE A VET.
Madison felt loved, too.
When Madison came home, she sprawled on the bed to check her e-mail. She loved the way Sugar had nuzzled, snuggled, and needed Madison. Bigwheels would love hearing all about it.
Phin tried to climb onto the bed, but she shooed him away.
“I’m busy right now, Phinnie,” Madison cooed.
Phin barked and got down on all fours like he would pounce. This pug wanted to play. But then he gave up and crawled under Madison’s desk.
There was only one message. It was from Dad.
From: JeffFinn
To: MadFinn
Subject: Let’s Talk
Date: Thurs 16 Nov 5:03 PM
Honey bear, we need to talk soon. I tried leaving a message, but tell your mother the machine is broken. I know you are at the animal hospital. I hope that is fun. Please call me tonight when you get in.
A joke for you: What do you get when you cross a turkey and an octopus? Ha ha.
Thanks for Nothing Page 4