Grover Finds a Home Page 3

  ‘Welcome to Cavendish Lane, Grover!’ said Lucy.

  CHAPTER 9

  The first thing Grover did when he got inside was collapse onto the bed that Annie and David showed him. In one corner of the room sat an old leather chair with a high back. It was covered in big soft cushions. There was a fireplace against the far wall, with a glowing log. The whole room felt warm and cosy.

  Grover felt sleepy. He could not remember the last time he had slept inside out of the cold. Before he knew it, he had dozed off.

  A while later, Annie came in to check on Grover. ‘Well, hello, dozy!’ she said. ‘You certainly slept well!’

  Hmm, mumbled Grover and he rolled over to give Annie access to his tummy for a rub. She was so kind. Grover felt happy just seeing her enter the room. There was something about her that made him feel safe.

  ‘I think you might have a new best friend in Lucy from next door, Grover. She’s already come back to see you twice while you were napping!’

  A best friend? Grover thought as a big smile crept across his face. I’ve never had a best friend before.

  ‘I’ve told her she can come over tomorrow to play with you. I hope that’s okay,’ Annie said.

  Okay? Grover thought, Oh, yes, that’s more than okay!

  Grover got up from the bed and had a big stretch. His legs were stiff and sore, but he knew they would warm up once he got moving.

  Annie ran her hand down his back. Ooohhh, it felt so good! Grover stopped for a moment to fully enjoy the massage.

  Suddenly, his nose caught a whiff of something delicious.

  What’s that amazing smell? he thought, as he began to LICK his lips.

  ‘Ha! I guess you’re hungry then,’ Annie laughed.

  Grover trotted through to the kitchen, where David was cooking. It smelled incredible!

  Ohhh, I wish I could have some of that, thought Grover. But he knew it wouldn’t be for him. He only ever got old leftovers, of course.

  As he watched David cooking, Grover caught sight of something in the kitchen window.

  Was that… a cat?! Grover couldn’t believe it! The cat was sitting in a low branch of the tree beside the fence.

  He was a plump cat, with silvery-grey fur all over and a fluffy white chest. Grover stared straight at him, tail wagging fast. The cat stared straight back. He didn’t even flinch!

  Hmm, maybe he can’t see me, Grover thought. Cats are usually scared of me, but this cat doesn’t seem to care at all!

  Just then, Grover heard his name called. ‘Grover! Your dinner’s ready!’

  Dinner! Grover sprang over to where David was setting down a blue bowl on the kitchen floor. It was filled with the most delicious-looking dog biscuits Grover had ever seen. And there, sitting on top of them was – he took a deep SNIFF to make sure – yes, chicken! Warm, delicious roast chicken chopped up into bite-sized pieces just for him.

  Grover felt his whole mouth fill with saliva, as he danced around in circles with joy.

  ‘Ha, someone’s excited!’ laughed David. He gestured towards the bowl. ‘Enjoy your dinner, Grover!’

  Wow! thought Grover. Is it really all for me? He leapt forward and started eating.

  The first bite was amazing and the second bite was better than the first. Grover didn’t want this to end. His tummy felt full and his hunger faded with every bite.

  CHAPTER 10

  Licking his lips after he finished his meal, Grover slowly trotted back into the lounge room. He felt so good now. He couldn’t remember when his stomach had ever felt this full.

  Annie and David were sitting on the couch. They smiled when Grover entered the room, reaching out to stroke his back as he walked past.

  Grover strolled past the open fire, stopping briefly to catch a whiff of David and Annie’s dinner, then back over to the lovely soft bed in the corner of the room. He HARRUMPHED onto it. He couldn’t believe how nice it felt to rest his tired bones on a soft bed, in a warm house, with a full belly. This was all he’d ever wanted.

  For a brief moment, Grover wondered how long this would last. He might only be allowed to stay here until he was better. Then who knew where he’d end up next? Maybe it would even be worse than the backyard. He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and decided to just enjoy the moment.

  ‘Okay, Grover, I think it’s time for bed,’ Annie said, getting up from the couch.

  I guess this is when I go outside for the night, thought Grover, shivering at the thought.

  ‘Come on, mate, the bedroom is upstairs,’ said David, heading out of the room. ‘Follow me.’

  Grover followed David and Annie up the stairs, but he couldn’t make sense of what was happening. Was he allowed to sleep inside for the whole night? Really?

  At the top of the stairs, Grover could see a room with a warm glow. As he got closer, Grover could see a big bed in the middle of the room, and a much smaller bed on the floor at the end of the big bed.

  ‘This little bed is for you, Grover,’ Annie said. She pointed to the small bed. ‘You’ll sleep here, and we’ll be right up on the big bed if you need us.’

  Am I dreaming? thought Grover. Is this really true?

  Without any further encouragement, Grover curled up on the small soft bed.

  Annie knelt down over him, ruffling his head and giving his back a good pat and a scratch.

  ‘You’re safe now, Grover,’ Annie whispered. ‘We love you and you'll have a very good life. David and I will make sure of that. We'll give you all the cuddles you can handle and all the chicken you can eat. You'll never be cold or hungry. And your old owner will never see you again, I promise.’

  Is this really true? Grover wondered. He could hardly believe what Annie was saying. Can I really stay here for more than a little while?

  ‘You’re home now, Grover,’ David said, kneeling down beside Annie. ‘We’ve had a chat and decided that you will always have a home with us.’

  ‘A home! A wonderful new home?’ Grover gave an excited bark. YIPPEE! His heart felt like it would burst with happiness. He jumped up from his bed, threw his front legs up onto David’s shoulders and nuzzled his head into David’s neck.

  David wrapped his arms around Grover in a hug, and Grover wriggled with excitement.

  ‘Welcome to the family, Grover McBane!’ David whispered.

  A last name! Grover had a home all of his own, a family and now he even had a last name? He couldn’t wipe the grin off his face.

  Settling down onto his new bed, Grover repeated his new name to himself. ‘Grover McBane. I’m Grover McBane of Cavendish Lane!’

  A family. A real home… It was all Grover had ever wished for.

  Sighing happily, Grover snuggled into his bed. Moments later, he dozed off.

  Grover dreamt about all the amazing adventures he’d crammed into one long day. At the start of the day, he’d been so frightened and cold and alone. But then he’d met Clara and the animal ranger and discovered that the animal shelter was not so scary after all. He’d seen cats and been hugged by a little girl. And he had made friends with Clara, Ruby and Ace. He’d even survived a bath! And now, here he was, snuggled in bed near his new owners, Annie and David.

  He sighed contentedly.

  Grover McBane had travelled a long way to get to Cavendish Lane, but now he was exactly where he was meant to be.

  Home.

  MEET GROVER McBANE

  AND HIS FRIENDS…

  GROVER

  AGE: Three

  BREED: Border collie

  LIKES: Warm beds, travelling in the car, playing hide and seek

  DISLIKES: Rain, water, baths

  FAVOURITE FOOD: Roast chicken, and a sneaky roast potato

  NAUGHTIEST TRICK: Chasing cats

  CLARA

  AGE: Nine

  BREED: Greyhound

  LIKES: Napping on the couch, taking care of other dogs

  DISLIKES: Seeing dogs upset

  FAVOURITE FOOD: Beef biscuits

 
NAUGHTIEST TRICK: Running away from home

  MR TIBBLES

  AGE: Twelve

  BREED: Domestic cat

  LIKES: Attention

  DISLIKES: Dogs

  FAVOURITE FOOD: Salmon

  NAUGHTIEST TRICK: Teasing dogs

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Claire Garth is a former primary school teacher. She now works as the PR and Marketing Manager at the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

  Claire adopted the real Grover in 2013, and together they work to raise awareness about animal rescue.

  ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

  Johannes Leak is an illustrator and commercial artist who specialises in cartooning, magazine illustration, music album artwork and storyboards. He lives and works on the New South Wales Central Coast, where he can also be spotted surfing and walking his dog, Calvin.

  SYDNEY DOGS AND CATS HOME

  The Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (SDCH) is an animal pound that has been taking care of Sydney’s lost and abandoned animals since 1946.

  Each year, the Home helps over 3000 animals just like Grover to find a new family. Dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits, birds, chickens, guinea pigs and ducks – even occasionally sheep and llamas! The Sydney Dogs and Cats Home searches far and wide to find new homes for the animals. Sometimes they fly them to other parts of Australia or even overseas. Animals stay at the Home as long as it takes to find them new owners.

  The Sydney Dogs and Cats Home is open 365 days of the year. If your family is looking for a new pet, consider adopting a lost animal from the Home instead of buying one from a pet shop. Adopt, don’t shop!

  www.sydneydogsandcatshome.org

  By purchasing this book, you are supporting the work of the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

  DID YOU KNOW GROVER McBANE IS A REAL DOG?

  Author Claire Garth adopted him from the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

  You can see more photos of Grover on Instagram: @grovermcbane

  READ MORE OF GROVER'S ADVENTURES IN:

  GROVER’S NEW FRIENDS

  Lots of surprises are in store for Grover as he meets some of the other dogs at the shelter!

  READ MORE OF GROVER'S ADVENTURES IN:

  GROVER, BENJI AND NANNA JEAN

  Can Grover help his blind friend Benji find a home where he will be loved and appreciated?