RED CHAIR PRESS HELPER HOUNDS HELPER HOUNDS HELPER HOUNDS Penny Helps Portia Face Her Fears Caryn Rivadeneira Illustrated by Priscilla Alpaugh Egremont Massachusetts
CHAPTER 1 The greyhounds huffed and chuffed Their toenails clicked the cobblestone I knew these alleys like the pads of my paws The Grey Sisters were fast but they didn’t know the twists and turns like I did As long as I kept my head-start the Grey Sisters would never catch me But those dogs were fast After all greyhounds were made to race Now I was in a race for my Well I didn’t know what the Grey Sisters wanted I just knew they were scary and I needed to get away I ran and ran I turned and turned I zipped 1
and zapped My chest heaved My legs launched my body forward Until I saw where I was Just behind Mario’s I ducked behind the Dumpster If I barked loud enough Mario would hear me and answer the alley door Maybe he’d bring me the steak burrito extra hot I was so crazy about I drooled just thinking about it But I didn’t have time to think The Grey Sisters were getting closer I could smell their bacon breath Bark Bark Bark Huff Chuff Bark Bark Bark Mario Mario Bark Bark Huff Huff Chuff I froze A snout poked into my butt Oh no A Grey Sister I growled but was too afraid to look My body tensed The hair along my spine stood straight up I was ready to fight But I hoped I wouldn’t have to 2
