Lost in the Snow (Pet Rescue Adventures) 1589254724, 9781589254725

Citation preview

Holly

Webb

Lost the

in

Snow

Lost the

in

Snow t^i

i

Holly Webb Illustrated

by Sophy Williams

SCHOLASTIC

INC.

New York Toronto London Auckland Sydney Mexico City New Delhi Hong Kong Buenos Aires

For

Sammy and Marble,

and

for the original Rosie

No

part of this publication

may be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,

mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written

permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Stripes Publishing, an imprint of Magi Publications, 1

The Coda

Centre, 189 Munster Road,

London

SW6 6AW,

United Kingdom.

ISBN-13: 978-0-545-07928-0 ISBN-10: 0-545-07928-4 Text copyright

© 2006 by Holly Webb © 2006 by Sophy Williams

Illustrations copyright

All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc.,

New York, NY 10012. SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are

557 Broadway,

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trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

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a registered trademark of MetaMetrics, Inc.

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

8 9 10 11 12 13/0

Printed in the U.S.A. First Scholastic printing,

November 2008

One

Chapter >*

'--

5,

,

*%* H

%

Rosebridge Farm was a beautiful place in

autumn. The leaves on the big oak

tree at

the corner of the farmyard had turned

golden, and every so often a^few of them

would whirl down scare the hens. place,

to the

ground and

The farm was

a lovely old

and the Moffat family had been

dairy farmers

hundred

years.

there

for

more than

a

There were

stables, a big barn,

and a

beautiful old farmhouse that looked cozy

and inviting

in the

autumn sunshine.

But today no one

at

the farm was

how

it

all

noticing

lovely

was. Mrs.

Moffat and her son, Ben, were in the office, It

looking at the

had been

was

bills

and worrying.

a difficult year,

and money

tight.

Outside

in

the

yard,

Sara,

Mrs.

Moffat s thirteen-year-old daughter, was trying to give the henhouse a makeover.

"Ow!" she yelped the

hammer

as she hit herself

with

for the fourth time. "Sorry,

chicks," she said to the hens,

who were

scratching and pecking around her feet. "You're just going to have to wait for to

Ben

come and help me." She put down

the

.

hammer

headed

and

off

the

to

farmhouse, but as she passed the stables

something made her

What was

stop.

that funny squeaking noise?

Sara peered over the half-door at Gus, their

He

old pony.

gazed back and

snorted, shaking himself

he nosed down

pile

Then

of straw

be saying that he wasn't

to

complaining, but

"Rosie!

a

over.

underneath him. His face

practically

seemed

at

all

really,

YouVe

of all the places

had

the

.

.

kittens!"

exclaimed Sara excitedly. She leaned so far over the door, she nearly fell into the stable. Rosie, the

farm

cat,

"Sorry, sorry! I promise I

and disturb you. quick look."

I

just

glared at her.

wont come

want

in

to have a

— The

were snuggled up next to

kittens

Gus s bed of

Rosie in

They were

straw.

tripping over one another as they nuzzled

gently at their mother,

still

blind and

helpless.

"Oh,

many

they're gorgeous, Rosie! are

orange

there?

tabby

tabbies. I

— oh

Oh,

flattened.

black ones, an

two

no,

wish you'd hold

And

I'm counting. oh.

Two

The brown

— much,

tiny

much

brothers and sisters

still,

orange kittens,

brown tabby

a

Saras

dear."

So how

delighted voice

tabby kitten was so smaller than

her

—and she was hardly

moving.

"Oh,

I

hope

you'll

whispered worriedly climbed over

it.

be

as

all

right!" Sara

one of the others

But she had

8

a horrible

%

\

-*"

J

1

-!.

,

#'f

.^»c

->•

•.

:

S^i

— feeling that the tiny thing

small to survive.

.

.

sort

all

her

life,

just too

.

Even though Sara had farm

was

lived

on the

and she knew that

this

of thing just happened sometimes, her eyes

The

JOfif r

filled

r>

with

kitten

littlest

—

sweet

so

tears.

had

it

long fur and looked

bundle of

little

she watched, again and opened

almost silent

its

it

was

really like a

fluff!

As

got stepped on

mouth

mew of protest.

in a tiny,

Sara wiped

her sleeve across her eyes sadly.

She took one

last

look at the kittens

at least the other four

—and dashed off

healthy

and Ben.

10

looked

fit

to tell her

and

mom

"Rosie s had her kittens!" she called as she opened the kitchen door.

Mrs. Moffat popped her head around the door of the office. "Oh, lovely!

many

are there?"

"Five,

but—"

"Five

more mouths

voice sighed.

loved

to feed," a

Ben went

college, training in

He

How

gloomy

to an agricultural

farm management.

Rosebridge Farm,

all

the

Moffats did, but he hated that things

The farm was hardly making enough money to live on at the

weren't going well.

moment, and Ben was counting every penny.

"Oh,

We

they're only tiny

can feed five

little

mother laughed.

11

mouths, Ben! kittens!"

His

— "I

think

said Sara.

"The

its so small.

"Oh,

might be only four soon/'

it

little

I'm not sure

dear," said

take a look, Sara.

Sara led her

new

make

it."

to the kitchen. "Let

Where

mom

family,

it'll

Mrs. Moffat, jumping

up and coming out

the

brown tabby one

s

are they?"

and Ben out to see

hoping that her

would say she was making

mom

a fuss about

nothing. But Mrs. Moffat looked at the littlest

kitten sadly. "I think

right, Sara. It

s

too

"I

and

What a pity." an z7, Mom. I'm

little.

"Please don't call her sure she's a

little girl

kitten."

know what you mean. delicate,

you might be

She's so pretty

with those lovely brown and

black markings." Mrs. Moffat sighed. "Isn't there

anything

12

we can

do?" Sara

asked, tears filling her eyes again.

"Well,

I

we

suppose

could try giving

her some of that special kitten milk out

of

an

her

eyedropper,"

mom

doubtfully "That's if Rosie will

But

Sara,

you cant

let

said

let us.

yourself get too

attached to her. I'm really sorry, but her

chances just aren't good."

*

*

If:

$

*

«*

€*

Over the next couple of weeks, Sara wondered that

the

if Rosie little

survive. Rosie

she

kitten wasn't

was

seemed

had heard them saying

a stubborn old cat,

determined

everyone wrong. She always that the

little

likely

to

to

and

prove

made

sure

one got an extra turn

13

and by the time the kittens

suckling,

were three weeks old and starting to explore the stable, the still little,

littlest

kitten

was

but she was catching up. Rosie

was very protective of them, but she did Sara and her

let

mom

in to feed the

brown tabby and cuddle them often.

The

than her lie

littlest

fair

all

every so

kitten fought for

share of cuddles and

more

would

in Saras arms, purring a purr that

seemed

far

too loud for such a tiny

creature. It

wasn't long before the bigger kittens

got bored with exploring the stable and playing tag around

Guss

hooves, and

started trying to escape outside.

One morning kittens hid

the two orange tabby

behind the

14

stable door.

As

opened

soon

as Sara

the

farmyard.

surprised

it,

they shot out into

They seemed

a

bit

by how much world there was

out there, but they certainly weren't

going back

in.

Rosie seemed to realize

that she couldn't keep

them

shut up

all

any longer, so she shooed the other kittens out, too.

cried

But the brown tabby

and hid behind Rosie

just too big

and

scary.

Rosie nudged the door, tiny

—outside was

little

kitten to the

where she meowed miserably, her

paws scrabbling

as she

fought to get

back into the safety of the cozy

stable.

"Rosie, don't be such a bully!" said Sara, scooping

up the trembling

"Poor

of fluff,

little

The

ball

kitten

she's scared."

snuggled

15

kitten.

into

Sara's

—

sweater

that

was a much better place

to be.

And

again.

Everyone seemed to say

she'd heard that

16

word fluff it

when

they saw her. Perhaps Fluff is

my name?

she thought happily.

Ben, and Mrs. Moffat had

Sara,

decided not to give any of the kittens

names, be

they

as

at the

knew

that they wouldn't

farm for very long. As soon

as

the kittens were eight weeks old, they'd

be old enough to leave Rosie and find

new homes. But

it

was hard not

Fluff. Sara

gave in

to call the

first,

you not

them!" her a

name,

it.

to get attached to

want her

to^stay,

and you

can't afford it."

"Eating us out of house and is,"

any of

mom scolded. "If you give her

you'll

know we

one

and Ben and her

mom yelled at her about "I told

little

home

muttered Ben, stroking the

17

as

it

little

kitten

under the chin and trying not to

grin as her massive purr rumbled around

the stable.

"But she just

is

"Look

at

grinning.

a Fluff!" cried Sara,

her

—she

s

the world's

fluffiest kitten!" It

was

true.

And

Fluff had beautiful

markings, too: a fluffy brown- and-black

tabby coat, huge white paws, and a white shirtfront.

brown

eyes,

purr, her little

She'd inherited Rosie's dark

and although she had

meow was

still

a

huge

the same tiny

noise that had broken Sara's heart

the day she'd been born.

•

*

*

18

*

It

seemed no time

were eight weeks

compared

at all before the kittens

old. Fluff was

to the others,

still

small

and she looked

even smaller because she seemed to be

whereas her brothers and

fluff,

had

silky-smooth

short

watched them

as

all

sisters

Sara

coats.

they played in the yard.

The two black girl kittens were

exploring

an old bucket, while the two male orange tabbies played tug-of-war with a piece of string.

As

usual, Fluff sat

on her own,

watching her brothers and timid to join

in.

too

Sara sighed. She couldn't

help feeling sorry for the

who

sisters,

always seemed to be

little

left

kitten,

out of their

fun and games.

Mrs. Moffat and Ben appeared

at the

back door with steaming mugs of tea.

19

"I

— know but

I

them

you'd like to keep

Sara,

all,

think the kittens are big enough to

Mrs. Moffat

as she

watched them playing. Til put up

a sign

leave Rosie now," said

on the

gate, saying they're free to

homes.

can put up the signs for

I

Christmas wreaths

at the

same time

making those always brings

money

good

time of year.

at this

extra

in

And we

need

every penny." She smiled.

Ben made

Sara and

was on the

faces.

The farm and

outskirts of Fairford,

lots

of people came to buy holly wreaths and mistletoe

made

a

spending

Christmas.

at

lot

The wreaths

of money, but

December

with

it

meant

prickled

fingers. "It's

a pity,"

Ben

said,

20

watching Fluff

J&-JE&

£ '•^'i

halfheartedly chase a piece of string. "I don't think fluffy

one

anyone

—

will

want the

little

she's so skinny, she looks

half- starved."

"How

—

can you be so cruel

she's

gorgeous!" Sara protested. But secretly she couldn't help hoping

Ben was

right.

Fluff was her favorite and she couldn't

imagine her out there in the big wide

world beyond the farm.

22

Chapter

Two

knew

that

be leaving to go to

new

Fluff and the other kittens

they would

all

Whenever

homes

soon,

visitors,

they had to be on their best

there

were

behavior in the hope that someone might

want

to take

same with

them home.

It

had been the

Rosie's last litter of kittens.

Fluff wasn't sure about

23

it all.

She loved

home

Rosebridge Farm. But then a her

own

did sound wonderful.

of

Fluff s

brothers and sisters were very excited and

kept trying to sneak out

when

the gates

were open.

Every time there was a customer for the

lovely

Christmas

wreaths,

Moffat would point out the frisking

Mrs

kittens,

around cutely in the yard.

It

wasn't long before the two black girl kittens fell

in

were snapped up by a lady love with

them

themselves around her It

as

who

they wove

legs.

looked so easy Fluff thought, and

the next day she waited for a friendly

looking customer and tried

it

for herself.

But she tripped the man, and he stomped off with wet and

muddy

24

trousers.

&*>**

"^*,x

il*

,

_W

/

;

25

The orange few days

later,

tabbies found owners a

and Fluff watched them

being carried away in a carrying case. She felt

very alone. Rosie was

Gus, and the hens, but

it

still

there,

and

wasn't the same

without her brothers and

though they'd laughed

sisters.

Even

her,

Fluff

at

missed them. She took to sitting on top of Gus s half-door and moping. Rosie tried to persuade her back down,

but Fluff preferred to stay where she was. Rosie gave up eventually, but

when

they

curled up in the hay to sleep that night,

she was

extra

affectionate

nuzzling her comfortingly. cat

wrapped her

kitten

tail

and purred

to

The

around her

Fluff,

big tabby last little

as she drifted off to

sleep.

26

But Fluff thought

lay

that

awake, fretting. her

mother

She

was

disappointed to have such a skinny,

nervous kitten.

happen at

to her?

What was

going to

Mrs. Moffat kept looking

her worriedly, and Fluff couldn't help

thinking,

What happens

nobody wants?

27

to kittens

who

•

*

*

*

A few days later, Fluff was perched up on Gus's door

when

a car drove

up outside

the farmyard. Fluff had given up trying to look lovable, as

no one seemed

interested in taking her

home,

to be

so she

stayed put and just watched.

A lady and her daughter had buy

a holly wreath.

The

girl,

come

to

who was

about seven, ran around excitedly, eager to explore.

She poked her head into the

henhouse and climbed the fence to look

Then she began exploring the Her mom kept calling her back—

at the cows.

yard. "Ella!

Don't get in the way!

get your shoes muddy!" listening.

28

—but

Ella!

Don't

Ella wasn't

Then

she saw Fluff.

"Oh, what a pretty

kitten! Please,

can

I

stroke you? Kitty?"

A pretty kitten? Does she mean me? Fluff was so surprised that she turned around to see if there her,

was another

forgetting

how

kitten behind

carefully

balanced on top of the door. She frantically

she was

meowed

and clawed her way back up

again.

"I'm sorry,

poor

little

I didn't

mean

to scare you,

bundle of fluff."

Fluff looked at Ella in amazement.

This

girl

out to the it

knew girl's

her namel^She reached

hand and butted

against

with her head, purring delightedly.

"Oh,

aren't

you sweet? Can

up?" Ella asked gently.

29

I

pick you

'

30

"

She certainly could! Fluff snuggled into

her neck and licked her chin,

making

Ella giggle.

She

bright white shirtfront. said they I

promised

I

wanted

home?

sign outside

kittens.

Mom

Maybe

and

Dad

could have a pet soon, and

you would be Fluff

"The

need homes for

could take you

tickled Fluffs

perfect!"

purred

home! Someone who

to take her

was very very good Please take

Someone

blissfully.

at stroking.

me home! she meowed.

Ella carried Fluff back over to her

mother,

who was

paying Mrs. Moffat for

the wreath.

"Oh, your

little girl's

found

Fluff/' said

Mrs. Moffat hopefully. "We're looking for a

home

for her. I don't suppose

31

you

—

Put that grubby

"Ella!

little

kitten

down!" said Ellas mother in horror.

Grubby? Fluff

laid her ears back.

She

wasn't grubby, was she? She opened her eyes

wide

at Ellas

mother and

tried to

look clean.

"Mom,

she's

Cant we

beautiful! please?

say

I

not

grubby, take

she's

her home,

She needs a home, and you did

could have a pet soon."

know, but not a

"Yes, I

And

"But

A

maybe. Something nice and

goldfish, clean.

cat, Ella!

quiet."

don't

I

want

fish.

They're boring.

cats,

and

a fish! I don't like

You know

Fluff's perfect. Please?

I

love

I'll

look

after her."

"No,

Ella, I'm sorry,

a cat in the house.

but

Now 32

we

don't

come

want

on, we've

got Christmas shopping to do."

"Mom, "No!

please!" Ella begged.

Now put her down."

Ellas eyes filled with tears, but she put

Fluff

down

gently, kissing the top

of her

head.

Tm home,

sorry, Fluff. I'd love to take I

gave the

think you're beautiful." Ella little

tabby one stroke.

you

brown

last

M

yy-'"'

"%

v fttl

33

i

H

Fluff couldn't believe Ella

leave,

frantically.

confused

"Come

And now

34

She watched

and

back!

Someone had wanted her a home.

it.

her,

meowing

Come

back!"

wanted

to give

she was gone!

Chapter Three ;

*&~4$ %

That evening, Ella s

mom was starting to

wish that she'd never taken Ella to Rosebridge Farm. Ella had spent the

rest

of the day talking nonstop ^about Fluff,

and when her dad arrived home from work, she didn't even give him the chance to take off his coat.

"Dad, you have to talk to did say

I

Mom! You

could have a pet, didn't you?

35

You

promised!

I

found the best pet

ever,

and

Mom says I cant have her, and you have to help

me

persuade her!"

Ellas dad sighed. this

He had a feeling that

was one of those

was going

where he

to get into trouble whatever he

"Urn, have you? That's nice," he

said.

murmured "No, have

situations

cautiously.

it isn't!

her.

Because

You have

Ella grabbed his

Mom says I cant

to talk to her!"

arm and dragged him

into the kitchen.

Ellas

mom

was reading

a magazine.

She had been ignoring Ella hour, because however

for the last

many

times she

explained that they couldn't have a cat, didn't

seem

to be sinking in.

it

She gave her

husband a look that meant "Don't you dare!"

36

Ellas dad plunked himself down at the table

and sighed.

"Ella, I'm sorry,

but

I

have no idea what you're talking about.

Come

sit

down and

tell

Ella huffed irritably

nearest chair. pet. I've

"You

me

again."

and grabbed the

said I could have a

found the pet

I

want. So can

have her, please?" she pleaded.

X.

37

I

Ellas dad took a deep breath. "Ella,

you know

there's

more

to

it

than

that.

Mom and I did say you could have a pet, but

it's

"But

got to be the right kind of pet." this

is

the right kind of pet! She's

beautiful!"

"Um, what "A

cat,

and great

she exactly?"

of course!

Dad!

ever,

is

The

prettiest kitten

She's got gorgeous big eyes, fat

paws, and the fluffiest fur

you've ever seen.

And

she's so tiny,

she really needs a home. Fluff.

So can we go back

and

Her name

to the

is

farm and

get her? Please?" Ella's

said

dad shook

his head. "Ella,

we

you could have a hamster! Maybe! If

you were very good! Not

want

a cat!"

38

a cat.

We

don't

—

looked

Ella

pinning yes.

all

"But

shocked.

She'd

her hopes on her dad saying

why

not?" she asked in a small

voice. "She's such a sweet cat,

Why

love her.

been

don't

you

just

Dad. You'd

come and

see "Ella, tiredly.

Dad "And

said no!" her

mom

put in

I've