Abby wants both puppies, but can only bring one home. “What happened to the other pup?” she wonders. Follow the parallel lives of two dogs and the girls who adopt them.
Dogs of a Different Collar, a novel for 8 to 12 year-olds, is a story about two girls with very different life styles and personalities. Unaware of the other’s existence, they each adopt a poodle puppy from the same litter.
Abby has begged her parents for as long as she can remember, and finally, she gets to pick out her very own puppy. Two of the litter are irresistible, but her dad insists “you can only take one dog home.” After much deliberation, she decides on the poodle with the green collar. The pup with the pink collar, the one Abby leaves behind, is forlorn until the next day when young Sophie spots her. “You look lonely … just like me,” she whispers to the little pink-collared doggy.
Abby enjoys the security of an affectionate family (even though her brother is a pest) and is very outgoing with lots of friends. She adores her new dog, Kelly, but still wonders, “What happened to that poodle puppy with the pink collar?”
Sophie lives in a penthouse apartment in the city. For as long as she can remember, her family has moved to a new place every year. Making new friends is difficult for Sophie, and her parents are workaholics. “Rosie, you are my best friend,” Sophie tells her lovable pup.
Will Abby ever discover what happened to the puppy with the pink collar? Come follow the parallel lives of two dogs and the girls who adopt them.
Excerpt
Chapter 5
“Abby, when you get downstairs, grab some cereal for yourself and Jonathan,” Mom said as she passed her daughter’s bedroom. “Then, we’ll be good-to-go when I finish dressing.”
As she walked by her bed, Abby lifted the napping cat into her arms. “Sorry, Pounce, but you’ve got to go outside this morning. Puppy comes home today, and you can’t be indoors when we arrive.”
As they drove back to Spruce Creek Farm, Jonathan asked, “Do ya think the puppies will remember us? I bet they will. Daddy, what do puppies eat for breakfast? Wasn’t that funny when Pinky and Greenie chewed our shoelaces? Are we gonna stop for lunch soon? Abby, how are you gonna figure out which puppy to choose?”
“Geez, Jon. Don’t you ever shut up?” Abby said. “Anyway, I’ve got an idea. If that doesn’t work, I’ve got a backup plan. I’ll explain it when we get there.”
Mrs. Brown heard their car and greeted them as they parked. Abby yelled as she charged around to the backyard, “Whichever puppy comes to me first is the one we take home!”
Abby opened the gate and slipped into the enclosed area. The puppies were scattered around the yard playing together or chewing on dandelions or snoozing in a sunbeam.
“Come on, puppies! I’m going to wait right here. First one to me, comes home with me.”
It didn’t matter what color collar the puppy was wearing. She’d embrace the first one to reach her and leave the yard immediately. That way she wouldn’t be tempted by any other puppy.
Three of the puppies were too busy playing with a ball. The other five started running to her. A butterfly distracted two of them, who changed course to chase it. Another saw a dog biscuit on the ground and paused to eat it. The last two puppies galloped toward Abby and both leapt in her lap … at exactly the same time!
“Oh, my gosh! It’s Pinky and Greenie, again!” exclaimed Abby, astonished that her plan had failed.
“What now, Abby?” asked Jonathan, who was watching from outside the gate. “How are ya gonna pick one now?”
“Okay, I’ll need you to help me, Jonathan.”
“What do you want me to do?” he asked jumping up and down.
Abby yanked out two pieces of paper and an old miniature golf pencil from her pocket. She scribbled ‘Pinky’ on one and ‘Greenie’ on the other. The puppies froze in place and watched her attentively.
“Jonathan, mix up the papers, and hide one in each hand. Then, put your hands behind your back and jumble them up some more. I’ll pick one of your hands and the paper in that hand will tell me which pup to take home. Okay?”
Jonathan did as instructed.
Abby closed her eyes and thought hard for a few seconds.
“Okay, Jon. Give me the paper in your … in your ri … no, in your left hand!” The deed was done.
Greenie and Pinky stared at Abby with their heads cocked to one side, as if they were thinking, Soooo, what game is this?
Abby noticed Jonathan’s confused expression and snapped impatiently. “Oh, pleeeease … don’t tell me you still don’t know your ‘left’ from your ‘right’! Mom!”
Mom walked over and whispered in Jonathan’s ear. He looked down at his shoes, which had a red-colored ‘L’ drawn on one shoe and a yellow ‘R’ on the other shoe.
“Jonathan … whenever.” Abby sighed. “I picked left. Now, give me the paper.”
*****
As they walked to their car with a single puppy in Abby’s arms, seven others stopped playing and watched as one of their own departed. She glanced back as the car pulled away and spotted Pinky. Abby was thrilled about finally getting her very own dog, so why did she feel sad at the same time?
“You know your next big decision, don’t you?” asked Mom.
Abby’s eyes widened. She had just experienced the hardest decision in her life, and now there was another big one?
“What?” asked Abby and Jonathan in unison.
“Well, what are you going to name her?”
Jonathan piped in, “Greenie, of course.”
“No way. That’s a stupid name for a dog,” Abby said. “But … I’m not sure what name to give her.”
