Birdie For Now Read Online Free PDF Page A

Twice he put down the binoculars and jigged up and down in excitement. Two more children arrived, Jake Chang with a Boston bull terrier and Chico whose last name Dickon did not catch. He had a beautiful German shepherd named Fancy.
    Last of all came a smallish girl with a big frown on her face. Her dog seemed better behaved than most, but Dickon could tell he was longing tobounce higher than any of them.
    â€œAnd whom have we here?” Leslie asked, smiling.
    The girl stood straight as a soldier. Just before she spoke, Dickon guessed her secret. She was sure nobody would like her. He knew how that felt. But why was she so certain she would be an outsider?
    â€œI’m Jenny English,” she said in a very English voice. “And my dog’s name is Copperkins, but I call him Perkins. He’s a soft-coated Wheaton terrier. He’s my birthday present. We got him a month ago, just after we moved here from London. I’m twelve.”
    â€œHe’s lovely, Jenny,” Leslie said, smiling at her. “He looks so well cared for. And happy.”
    â€œYes,” the girl said. Then she ducked her head and muttered, “We took him to the groomer yesterday.”
    â€œHe’s neat,” Jody said, grinning at her. “When mine comes home from the groomer, he still looks like a floor mop.”
    â€œPippin is supposed to be part Wheaton,” Sylvia said. “I got her from theHumane Society in Toronto.”
    Dickon lost sight of them in the crowd then, but not before he saw Jenny give Pippin a measuring look. Jody grinned at her again. And just before Daniel cut off his view he saw Jenny relax a bit and smile shyly back at the wild girl.
    Then the teacher walked into the field and blew a loud blast on a whistle. All the dogs, big and small, cocked their heads at the sharp sound.
    â€œPay attention, everyone. The first class is now starting. Get your dogs and back up until you are spread out in a big circle. Shorten those leashes until the animals cannot get close to each other. Trevor, give Taffy a sharp jerk and tell her ‘NO!’”
    Trevor jerked on the leash and Taffy wagged her tail happily. She was not going to obey him.
    Dickon leaned forward so far that he slid onto the floor, landing with a flump. He kept his hold on the binoculars somehow. Sighing with relief, he picked himself up.
    He climbed onto the bed again and went on watching. His body ached to bounce up and down a few times. His mattress was great for bouncing. But if he did, he might miss something.
    Another boy came racing around the building, letting the gate clang shut behind him. His dog was a tri-colored, lop-eared collie. The boy was breathless and red in the face, but the collie looked calm and dignified.
    â€œHi, Ruff,” Jody called. “Hi, Andy.”
    Ruff looked down her noble nose as though the others were mere babies and she was the only adult.
    â€œSorry I’m late. I’m Anthony Blake,” the newcomer said. “I got held up …”
    â€œAfter today, I want you all here on time,” the teacher announced. “We must concentrate if we want to make a difference in four weeks. Latecomers will distract the dogs. We’ll have a break at two-thirty. We can chat then.”
    The children were in their circle now. The huge dog was lying down and Daniel, his master, was doing his best to yank him up again. Leslie walked over.Dickon missed seeing what she did, but all at once the gangling dog was sitting up with a startled look on his face.
    â€œYou have to be firm, Daniel. Tallboy won’t understand sweet talk. You have to show him you mean business.”
    â€œYes, Leslie, I know. But he just …”
    â€œNo excuses. If you aren’t ready to learn, take Tallboy and go on home,” Leslie said. “He’s big, of course, but you are smarter and he is wearing a choke chain. He’s young, too, and has not been taught bad habits.”
    She