Chapter 1: Clinic Chaos
By Diana G. Gallagher
“C’mon, Rex!” Kyle called as he ran down the street toward his mom’s veterinary clinic Friday afternoon. Rex, Kyle’s yellow Labrador retriever, ran beside him, leaping and turning in circles. Rex could sense that Kyle was excited, so he was excited too.
Kyle yanked open the front door of Dr. Blake’s Veterinary Clinic and hurried inside. Practically bursting with excitement, he pulled a paper out of his pocket. He couldn’t wait to show his mom how well he’d done on his math test.
Behind the counter Lillian, the clinic’s receptionist, smiled at him. “You look like you’re in a good mood,” she said.
“I am,” Kyle said. “I got a hundred percent on my math test!”
“Congrat—” Lillian started to say. But just then Rex came charging past Kyle into the waiting room.
“Look out!” Lillian shouted.
Rex’s leash got tangled around Kyle’s feet, making him lose his balance. Kyle fell against the magazine rack, knocking it to the ground with a loud CRASH! Papers scattered across the floor. Rex yelped with surprise and jumped away, knocking into a cat carrier on the floor. The cat inside hissed angrily.
Across the room a small poodle was waiting with its owner. The dog pulled against his leash and yapped at the cat. His front feet came off the floor when he barked, and he squeaked when he landed. Angry hisses continued to come from inside the cat carrier. Finally, the cat’s owner picked up the carrier and put it on his lap. He shot an irritated glance at Kyle and Rex.
The little poodle continued yapping and tugging at his leash to get free. “Bailey, no!” the poodle’s owner said, pulling the little dog away.
Everything seemed to be calming down a bit, and then Rex started barking. The poodle immediately looked at Rex and jumped out of its owner’s lap. Rex dropped into a play bow on his front end.
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Adapted from Problem Pup, by Diana G. Gallagher, ©️ by Capstone. Reprinted with permission.
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Questions
How does the cat’s owner feel about Rex knocking over the cat’s carrier?
Confused
Joyful
Saddened
Irritated