Fifth Grade
Worksheets
A Rescue for Karen
Adopt a Dog Month
Reading Comprehension for October 14
"Are you certain this is the dog you want?" asked Dad skeptically. "I thought I understood that you wanted a young dog."
Karen couldn't explain it. There was just something about the old Doberman that struck a chord in her heart. She looked into the deep brown eyes of the black dog.
Dad was still unsure. He spoke to the animal's foster mom for the rescue group.
"What can you tell us about Tangiers?" he asked as Karen continued to interact with the dog.
Betsy Adams extended her hand to rub the dog's ear before answering.
"Tangiers is about 8 years old. She is already spayed and has no known health problems. She also has a wonderful temperament and some obedience training, which makes her much easier to live with, unlike some of the other dogs we have in the program. Her former owner died of cancer, and unfortunately, no one in the family was willing to take her in. They were taking her to the animal shelter to be put to sleep when a volunteer there asked if they had called us first. The family gave us a call, and Tanny came to stay with us that same day. Most times we don't have room, but she was fortunate."
"Some dogs come to us having suffered abuse or neglect," Betsy continued, "but not Tanny. Her owner had died, and she had no one else. You know, if it weren't for the gray hairs on her face, you would not even guess that she is a senior citizen. She has more energy than many of the younger dogs who pass through rescue."
"What kind of a life span can she expect to have?" asked Karen. She stopped petting Tanny for a moment, and then she laughed as a cold, wet nose worked its way under her hand and flipped it onto the dog's head once more. She smiled down at the dog. "You're just a great big sponge trying to soak up every bit of attention that you can!" She rubbed the dog's face with both hands.
