That Furball Puppy and Me by Carol Wallace, Bill Wallance

can take them, but maybe we’d better get the rest of the gang before we start!”
    â€œI think we can take him. He’s been in here before, and he always runs away. I don’t think he’ll give us any trouble.”
    I scrunched up all the courage that I could. I was a cat. I was brave. I sprang to my feet. Only when I did, my legs shook so hard I thought I was going to fall over.
    â€œCome on down here, you big cowards!” I hissed and snarled. “I’m bigger than you think! I can take you both on!”
    The smaller rat twitched her whiskers. “He’s not running, Smitty.”
    â€œHe will,” the other rat whispered back. “He’s scared.”
    I forced my legs to stay still. I wouldn’t run! My legs shook harder. Okay, I wouldn’t run, but if my legs kept shaking—I might fall over.
    The big rat looked over his shoulder. “Maybe we should get Joe and Charlene—just in case.”
    Two ratty faces gazed down long pointed noses at us. “Stay put, little treats! We’ll be right back for supper!”
    They turned and scurried away. Above us I could see the shadows creeping across the rafters of the barn. The shadows were huge! The rats were huge!
    â€œGray, what are we going to do? They are going to get some more rats to eat us up!” The puppystarted shaking all over again. “I don’t want to be rat food!”

    â€œWe’re not going to be rat food, pup! I’ll think of something, just give me a minute to figure this out!” I tried to sound brave, but inside I was shaking as much as the puppy.
    It wasn’t long before I heard the scratchy sounds of rat feet coming back toward us. Suddenly I knew what I had to do!
    With a big leap I jumped from the small pen, scampered across the barn, and shot through the hole near the grain bin.
    I ran!

CHAPTER 10
    I cy wind hit my face as I ran past the lilac bushes. Dark shadows covered the front yard. I sprang to the window ledge.
    â€œMeow! Help! Come help me!” I yowled as loud as I could. The red embers in the fireplace burned low. No one was in the front room.
    I jumped to the porch. With my claws I scratched at the front door. Someone always came when I tore at the wood. I backed up and waited.
    â€œMeee … ow! Help me!”
    I dashed through the holly bushes. Squeezing between the house and the fence, I felt the wires scratch at my skin. It hurt, really bad, but I didn’t stop. I looked for the window where Callie slept. Jumping on the ledge, I yowled for her.
    â€œMee … ow! Callie! The puppy needs help! Hurry!”
    I rushed back to the fence. My side really hurt from where the wire had grabbed me, so I decided to jump over this time.
    When I got to the front door, I waited for them to let me in. I swished my tail and tried to be patient. The light should come on first.
    No one came to the door. I had to get help!
    I jumped over the fence again and into the backyard. Once more on the ledge, I began to scratch as hard as I could against the wire mesh.
    â€œMeee …
Ow!”
I howled.
    Callie’s nose pushed through the window blinds. “What’s wrong with you, you crazy cat? Do you want to wake up Mama and Daddy?”
    â€œHurry! I need you to help me. The rats are after the puppy!”
    â€œI don’t think I can fight rats anymore, but I’ll try my best!”
    Callie’s nose disappeared. Suddenly the blinds shot up into the air.
    â€œGet down, Gray! You’re tearing up the screen!” Daddy tried to shoo me away.
    â€œMeee … oooow!
The puppy needs help! Meee … ow!”
    Daddy opened the window. “Scat, you crazy thing. You should have stayed in when you had the chance!”
    â€œI’ll let him in. It must be freezing out there for him to carry on that way!”
    I could see Mama putting on her big fluffy robe. I hurried back over the fence and ran to the door. When it opened, I spun