Sofia’s Puppy Love
Surprise Delivery
Sofia tilts her head to one side. Perhaps the rocking chair would look better next to 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 an owl-shaped lamp on the dresser, and stuffed bears in 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 went to go get her parents. The room is finally ready to show them. It’s been two months since they told Sofia about Mom’s pregnancy, and now she’s wearing a loose summer dress over her bulging belly.
The girls count up to three together, in anticipation of Mom and Dad opening their eyes. When they see the room, grins spread across their faces. It’s a perfect nursery!
Later that day, the girls all go to Rosa’s Refuge to help Mrs. Wallace with a new dog that’s coming in. She’s nervously standing outside the shelter waiting. What she’s there to do couldn’t wait.
Sofia asks if everything is okay. Mrs. Wallace says that she prides herself on finding the right home for each animal. But every now and then, a family realizes they made a mistake and has to bring an adopted animal back. And that’s what happened this morning. A dog came back, and is now looking quite lost. He’s refusing to eat anything.
Mrs. Wallace says that if anyone can cheer up this returned pet, it’s the four girls. Mrs. Wallace opens the door, and escorts the girls inside to the playroom. Sofia looks around, but all she can see is a lumpy blanket in the corner. Sofia asks Mrs. Wallace where the dog is.
At the sound of Sofia’s voice, the lump wiggles. A second later, a stubby paw pokes out from underneath the blanket, followed by a 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. Sofia bends just in time to scoop Piper into her arms.
Mrs. Wallace explains that the family that adopted him realized two puppies was too much to handle. And Piper never seemed happy there. So, they brought him back, hoping Mrs. Wallace could find him a new home.
Sofia’s mom states that Mrs. Wallace has found one already. Sofia feels a spark of hope inside her chest. Can they really keep him? Sofia’s parents glance at each other, before Dad responds, “Absolutely.”
Sofia grins as Piper nuzzles her neck. Piper’s forever home is with Sofia.