Chapter 1 Another Happy Customer

 

 

  Marion Ballard checked the last box on her checklist. She looked down at the basket she had packed. It was full of cat food, cat treats, and cat toys.

  Claude, a stray cat, curiously pawed the basket.

  “Are you ready to meet your new family?” Marion asked him.

   

  The Critter Club—Marion and her friends Amy, Ellie, and Liz—had found Claude a new home! Finding homes for strays was one of their many specialties. Anything involving lost or lonely animals, The Critter Club was on it.

  “I hope Claude’s new family is ready for him!” Amy said.

  Marion and Amy looked around. Claude had made a mess of Ms. Sullivan’s barn, where The Critter Club met. He had torn cardboard boxes into bits. He had ripped stuffing out of cat toys. He had even tried to slash a bag of cat food with his claws.

  The girls had named him Claude because it rhymed with claws!

   

  Ms. Sullivan appeared in the doorway. “Shawn is here!” she said.

  Behind her was a young man. He hesitated a little before entering the barn.

  “I’m kind of nervous,” Shawn admitted. “This will be my first pet.”

   

  Before Marion or Amy could answer, Claude darted over. He rubbed his head against Shawn’s ankle.

   

  “Well, Claude likes you already!” Amy said with a laugh.

  Marion showed Shawn how to pick Claude up. “One hand under his chest,” Marion said. “The other under his belly. That way, he’ll feel safe and supported.”

   

  At first, Shawn’s arms were stiff, but Marion told him to relax. Claude nestled into Shawn’s arms and purred.

  Before long, Shawn was feeling more confident. He was ready to take Claude home.

  Amy gave Shawn the basket Marion had put together for him. “These toys will only last you a few days, though,” Amy pointed out. “He tears them up pretty quickly.”

   

  “Don’t worry,” Marion added. “He’s rough on things, but not on people. Still, you’ll want a scratching post. Claude can scratch that instead of your sofa.”

  “Thank you so much!” Shawn said.

  The girls gave Claude some pats and said goodbye. They waved as Shawn and Claude walked out to the car.

   

  When they were gone, Marion and Amy cleaned up the mess Claude had left behind.

   

  “We’re out of cat toys,” said Amy. She held up the empty toy box. Claude had wrecked some. The rest they’d given to Shawn. “Maybe we can get more at the pet store tomorrow.”

   

  Marion shook her head. “I have horseback riding lessons,” she reminded Amy. She had them every Thursday after school. “And tomorrow there’s a new student coming. My teacher asked if I could show her around the stables.”

  “Of course she did,” Amy said, smiling. “Because you’re friendly, organized, and smart. Look how you made sure Shawn had everything he needed.”

  Marion beamed. She did like meeting new people and helping them relax.

   

  The girls made plans to go to the pet store on Friday after school.

  “Ellie and Liz can come too,” Amy suggested.

  “Then my mom can drive us all to my house,” Marion said.

   

  The girls had a sleepover almost every Friday. They took turns hosting. And this Friday was Marion’s turn.

  “It’ll be the best day of the week!” Marion exclaimed.