Chapter 13: Introducing Zoey
Hallie lifted her head up. Across the aisle was a large black Rottweiler in a massive cage. She was seriously the largest dog Hallie had ever seen. “Excuse me?” she asked.
“I said that life’s too rad to be crying. The sun’s probably shining, birds might be chirping, and the waves are probably huge! Man, I’m so stoked!”
Hallie didn’t know how this dog would know anything about sunshine, birds, or waves inside a dog pound with no windows. “You seem to be in a good mood, Rottweiler,” she said. “What’s you’re name?”
“I’m Zoey,” said the Rottweiler. “And I’m not a Rottweiler. I’m a Rock Star-weiler.”
“Um, ok,” said Hallie, poking her nose through the cage bars.
“Rock-n-roll!!” barked Zoey, pretending to strum an air guitar. “So, dudette, what’s you’re name?”
“I’m Hallie.”
“Slow your roll,” said Zoey. “You mean the one and only Hallie?”
“I guess,” said Hallie. She wasn’t sure what Zoey meant.
“Sweet! Homie, animals all over California are like looking for you and your family. You’re, like, a Hollywood celebrity!”
“I am?” said Hallie. She never thought she’d be famous!
“Ya, dude!” Zoey said. “I’ve got to help you escape!” She took a big step back like she was getting ready to ram the cage door. Instead she sat on her hind legs and assumed a yoga pose. “Hummmmmmmmmm,” she hummed.
“Zoey?” Hallie looked on in wonder. She had never seen a Rottweiler in a cross cross applesauce pose.
“Shh,” I’m concentrating. Hummmmmmmmm.”
Once she felt like she was ready, Zoey lifted her right paw and tapped twice on the cage door. It opened like magic.”
“Wow,” said Hallie.
“It’s the power of positive thinking,” said Zoey. “That’s why it’s best to just, like, chill.” She trotted over and unlatched Hallie’s cage.
“You’re going to be in trouble!” barked Hayden.
“Follow me,” said Zoey. For the first time Hallie noticed that Zoey had a big pink collar with skulls and crossbones all over it. She could have sworn that Zoey’s fur had glitter in it. Zoey led Hallie down one hall and then the next. Hallie could tell that Zoey knew the place quite well. Obviously she’d been in the pound before.
They passed a sleeping James by the front door and opened the door. An alarm rang the instant it swung open. “That’s our cue to run, little Hallie,” said Zoey. She took off across the grounds with Hallie close behind.
James and Mr. Byers flew out the front door. “Get them,” yelled Mr. Byers, “or my evil plan will be RUINED!”
“COME BACK DOGGIES,” cried James.
Zoey made a sharp turn around a dumpster and ran along the barbed wire fence. “Try to keep up,” yelled Zoey. She got to the corner of the fence. The bottom part was loose. “Slide on through there, Hallie,” yelled Zoey. “And remember, stay cool!”
“Hallie easily slid through the loose fence and took off down a gravel lane. Behind her came a bunny and a cat.
“About time you busted out,” said Kegin.
“Yay!” cried Ethan. “I’m so PUMPED UP!”
“I’ve got good news,” said Kegin to Hallie. “We’ve found your master!”