Sofia’s Puppy Love

Surprise Delivery

Sofia tilts her head to one side, studying the little room with a critical eye. Perhaps the rocking chair would look better tucked beside the new crib. Madison picks up a yellow pillow, complaining that’s where the rocking chair started! Jasmine says perhaps Sofia is overthinking things. The chair looked great no matter where they placed it.

Sofia blushes. She just wants the nursery to be perfect. Jasmine says it’s already perfect. Sofia steps back and tries to see the room through her friends’ eyes. Mom and Dad already moved in all the large furniture. But Sofia is in charge of decorations. She’s taken the job very seriously.

There’s a plump owl-shaped lamp on the dresser, and soft stuffed bears tucked into the crib. The blankets and the foam-green walls make the room feel warm and cozy. She’d hoped the room would take her mind off Piper. But she still thinks about the tiny pup all the time.

Sofia hurries to get her parents. The room is finally ready to show them. It’s been two months since they first told her about Mom’s pregnancy. Now Mom is wearing a loose summer dress over her bulging belly.

The girls count up to three together, buzzing with anticipation as Mom and Dad keep their eyes shut tight. The moment they open them and see the room, wide grins spread across their faces. It’s a perfect nursery!

Later that day, the girls all head over to Rosa’s Refuge to help Mrs. Wallace with a new dog that’s coming in. She’s standing outside the shelter, nervously wringing her hands as she waits. What she’s there to do couldn’t wait.

Sofia asks if everything is okay. Mrs. Wallace admits that she prides herself on finding the right home for every animal. But every now and then, a family realizes they’ve made a mistake and has to bring an adopted animal back. That’s exactly what happened this morning. A dog came back and is now wandering the shelter, looking lost. He’s refusing to eat anything.

Mrs. Wallace declares that if anyone can cheer up this returned pet, it’s the four girls. She opens the door and escorts them inside to the playroom. Sofia looks around, but all she can see is a lumpy blanket bunched in the corner. Sofia asks Mrs. Wallace where the dog could be hiding.

At the sound of Sofia’s voice, the lump beneath the blanket begins to wiggle. A second later, a stubby paw pokes out, followed by a curious snout and a patch of white fur shaped like a heart. The dog is Piper!

Piper leaps to his feet and bounds over to Sofia at top speed, tail wagging wildly. Sofia bends just in time to scoop him into her arms.

Mrs. Wallace explains that the family who adopted him realized that two puppies was too much to handle. Piper never seemed happy there, either. So, they brought him back, hoping Mrs. Wallace could find him a better home instead.

Mom states that Mrs. Wallace has found one already. Sofia feels a spark of hope kindle inside her chest. Could they really keep him? Sofia’s parents glance at each other, before Dad responds, “Absolutely.”

Sofia grins wide as Piper nuzzles into her neck, his tail thumping happily against her arm. Piper’s forever home is with Sofia after all.