Samantha's Talent by Darrell Bain, Robyn Pass Page A

the last time the dog catcher got him. He goes to the bathroom in the house and he growls at my Dad when he hits him for being bad. I'm afraid Tuffy will bite someone if it gets any worse and then he might have to have Tuffy put to sleep instead of taking him back to the pound."
    "Is that where you got him?"
    "Uh huh. We couldn't afford to buy a dog."
    "Did you know I have a dog? His name is Shufus."
    "Does he mind you?"
    "Oh, sure. He does just like I ask him to."
    "Did you get him from the pound, too?"
    "Oh, no. A... we got him from a friend. Their dog had just had pups and they needed to find homes for them." Samantha didn't want to make Betty feel bad because her parents had been able to buy her a purebred dog. Not that she would have minded a mutt so long as it was fun to play with.
    "I guess you're lucky you got an obedient puppy. I sure wish I had."
    Samantha thought for a moment, trying to figure out how to approach Betty's problem, but it was obvious she would have to talk to Tuffy in order to know why he was so disobedient. On the other hand, she couldn't let Betty or Betty's parents know that animals could understand her and talk with her when she spoke to them.
    "Maybe I can help you with Tuffy," she finally ventured. "My Mom says I have a way with... with dogs." There. She hadn't even mentioned she had a way with all animals. A very big way! Or that she could talk to animals.
    "Do you really think so, Sammie? That would be wonderful."
    "I can't say for sure without talking--without seeing Tuffy. Could I come over some time?"
    Betty's expression brightened. "Could... could you maybe come over after school? Didn't you say you lived on Tasker Street? That's not far from us."
    "I'll ask Mom as soon as I get home. If I can come, I'll call you." Samantha already had Betty's phone number. They talked or texted sometimes on the weekends but she had to limit her minutes. Having a phone she could carry around with her and that would perform all kinds of fabulous tasks was still new to her. She used it excessively at first but then learned to slow down. She had received her own phone when they moved from Alaska and she had been allowed to go out by herself within a few blocks of home. "You have to be more careful here, Sammie," her mother had warned her. "Don't talk to strangers and always keep your phone handy and put our number on speed dial. Always call if you're going to be late. With Shufus and your phone you should be safe enough."
    Samantha did ask her Mother if she could visit Betty after she arrived home.
    "Where does she live? Is it very far from us?"
    "No, ma'am, it's just a couple of blocks over on Rucker road."
    Elaine was reluctant but finally gave her permission. "Just remember, this isn't Alaska. Don't talk to strangers. And don't you dare say a word about talking to animals. You hear me?"
    "I won't Mom. I promise."
    "Very well, just be back well before dark and don't be late for dinner."
    "Yes ma'am," Samantha said hurriedly. She pulled on a light sweater against an early cold front and left quickly. Shufus, as usual, tagged right by her side, never straying far. He knew that one of his primary duties was to protect Samantha from anything that might threaten her.
    Elaine watched her daughter from the front window as she skipped eagerly along with Shufus right by her side. So long as the dog was with her she wouldn't worry much. He was very protective of Samantha and he acted as... almost as if he understood every word she said to him. She shook her head at the unwanted thought. Of course she couldn't talk to animals, not and make them understand her. No one could do that! Sometimes she wondered how Samantha would have turned out had she been able to have more children. Unfortunately, complications with her pregnancy had necessitated a hysterectomy at the end. She had kept her ovaries, fortunately. She still thought wistfully that it might have been helpful if her daughter had siblings to play with as she was