12. A Perfect Plan

Chapter 12 A Perfect Plan "Why?" all four kids asked at once. "There are three of us working here," Barney told the kids. "Brenda, Tom, and me. We feed the animals, make sure they get exercise, clean their cages, do just about everything. But I'm going back to college, and Brenda is getting married and moving away. That leaves just Tom, and he can't do everything by himself." Barney picked up Slinky and set him on his shoulder. "We'll have to find homes for all the animals if we close," he said. "I'm taking Slinky with me to college." Bradley thought about all the other animals at the petting zoo. He'd been coming here since he was a baby.

"So you see why we can't take your friend's rabbit," Barney said. "We can't even keep our own rabbits." Just then Barney's telephone rang. He waved good-bye to the kids and answered the phone. The kids walked outside. They cut between the town hall and the library to West Green Street. "Is this where Mr. Neater will be living?" Lucy asked. She pointed to the building next to the police station. "Yeah, and it's a nice place," Bradley said. "Our mom volunteers there once a week," Brian added. "She helps the people do art projects and stuff." "Oh my gosh, I've got it!" Bradley cried. "Got what?" his brother asked. "A new plan, but first we have to go see Mr. Neater again." Bradley explained his idea on the way. Five minutes later, they knocked on Mr. Neater's front door.

Mr. Neater answered. He was holding Douglas in his arms. "Well, hello again," the man said. "Come in out of the cold." The kids piled their coats on a chair. "We have an idea about Douglas," Bradley said. Mr. Neater was stroking Douglas's long, silky ears. "Please tell us. We're all ears," he said with a grin. The kids told Mr. Neater about their visit to the petting zoo. They explained what Barney told them about the place maybe having to close down. "Douglas might love living there," Mr. Neater said. "But if they're going to shut down…" "They wouldn't have to shut down if they had more people to take care of the animals," Lucy put in. "We thought you could volunteer there after you retire from the school," Bradley said. "That way you could see Douglas every day, and he wouldn't feel lonely!" Nate added.

Mr. Neater stared at the four kids. "Volunteering at the petting zoo might be fun," he said after a minute. "And it's only a few minutes' walk from elderly housing." "You'll do it?" Bradley cried. Mr. Neater smiled. "If it's okay with Douglas, it's okay with me!" Douglas went to live at the petting zoo. Mr. Neater moved into elderly housing and began volunteering at the zoo. He saw his rabbit every day. One Saturday the kids decided to pay Mr. Neater a visit at the zoo. What a surprise they got when they walked into the warm animal building. Bradley saw at least ten elderly people wearing dark green shirts. One man was brushing a small goat. A woman was placing fresh straw in cages. Two men were washing the floor with a garden hose.

Mr. Neater walked over to the kids. He was holding Douglas. "Hey, kids," he said. "Hi, Mr. Neater!" the kids said. "Who are all these people?" Bradley asked. "They're all volunteers from elderly housing," Mr. Neater said. "I got them to agree to help out here at the zoo. They love the animals, and the animals get a lot more care and attention." A woman with white hair walked by with a bag of corn in her hand. A white duck followed her, quacking loudly. Bradley smiled. His plan had worked. "Can I hold Douglas?" he asked. Mr. Neater placed Douglas in Bradley's arms. The rabbit sniffed Bradley's sweater. Then he closed his eyes and snuggled into the soft wool.

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