The Lonely Pony

The Lonely Pony Read Online Free PDF Page A

Book: The Lonely Pony Read Online Free PDF
Author: Catherine Hapka
“Come on, kids,” Dr. Goldman said. “Let’s get this stuff unloaded.”
    Half an hour later, Janey was so exhausted she wanted to lie down on the grass and take a nap. She and her friends had hauled the heavy bales of hay into the barn. They’d draggedthe water tub into the pen, then hooked up the hose to fill it. They’d opened one of the hay bales and carried part of it out for Lola to eat. They’d found a spare shelf in the barn to store the grooming tools, a spare halter, and a few other items Tom had brought.
    Meanwhile, Dr. Goldman had left with Tom, promising to return with her car to drive them all home. Janey couldn’t wait!
    But when she looked at Lola and saw her nibbling hay or grass, or sipping water, Janey felt happy and satisfied. “Lola is so cute,” she told Lolli as they watched the pony. “I’m sure it won’t take long to find her the perfect new home.”
    Lolli nodded, looking just as tired as Janey felt. “I’m glad she’s here, even if she’sa lot of work.”
    Janey giggled. “After this, taking care of Roscoe will seem super easy! Oh, and your new bunny, too, if you get him.”
    â€œYeah.” Lolli shot a look at her parents, who were helping the boys put away the hose. “Still, I think I’ll wait and ask if I can get the bunny until after Lola goes to her new home.”

Barn Chores
    â€œHere we are, Farmer Janey,” Janey’s father joked as he pulled into Lolli’s driveway the next day. “Better get going on your chores!”
    Janey smiled. “Thanks for the ride, Daddy.”
    She jumped out of the car. Adam and Zach were already there with Lolli, watching Lola eat grass in her pen. They’d come straight over after Adam’s morning dog-walking jobs.
    â€œYou’re late,” Zach called when he spotted Janey. “But don’t worry, we saved all the stinky pony manure for you.”
    â€œGee, thanks.” Janey rolled her eyes. “How’s Lola?”
    â€œGreat,” Lolli said. “After we feed her and clean up her pen, maybe we can use those brushes Mr. Valentine sent to groom her.”
    Janey nodded. “Good idea. We want her to look good for her photo session.”
    â€œWhat photo session?” Adam asked.
    Janey held up her tablet. “I want to take some pictures of her to put on the blog. That will help her find a home faster.”
    â€œGood idea.” Lolli picked up a pitchfork. “But first, let’s get to work.”
    The kids worked hard. They cleaned up all the manure Lola had made overnight, using the pitchfork to put it in a wheelbarrow and then dumping it in the compost pile behind the barn. They scrubbed out thewater tub and filled it again. They put out more hay.
    â€œOkay.” Lolli brushed hay off her hands. “Now for the fun part!”
    She hurried into the barn and fetched the bucket of grooming tools. There were several brushes, a wide-toothed comb, a hoof pick, and a bottle of spray-on conditioner.
    â€œGet ready for your beauty treatment, Lola!” Janey sang out as the kids entered the pen.
    Lola was eating the pile of hay the kids had set out. She barely looked up when they started brushing her.
    â€œGood girl,” Janey said. “You want to look pretty, don’t you?”
    Adam leaned over to peer at the pony’stangled mane. “I think I’ll try getting some of these burrs out.”
    â€œGood idea,” Janey said. “Her mane looks totally vile.”
    She handed Adam the comb. He grabbed it and got to work.

    After close to an hour, the pony looked much better. Janey stepped back to survey their work.
    â€œShe looks great,” she said. “See if you can get her to keep her head up so I can get some good pictures.”
    They spent the next several minutes on the photo shoot. It wasn’t easy, since the pony preferred eating over posing. But finally
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