9. Never Give Up

Chapter 9 Never Give Up "No, they didn't!" Lucy said. "They have to be somewhere in Green Lawn. We can't give up, Bradley." Just then Brian and Nate came loping past the town hall. They were out of breath and out of pictures. "Well, we did all we could," Brian said. "Now I guess we just have to hope someone calls Officer Fallon." The four kids flopped on the grass under a tree.

"You're right, Lucy," Bradley said. "We can't give up on this." "But we've looked everywhere," Brian said. "My brain is tired." "What brain?" Bradley teased, tickling his brother under the arm. Brian threw a handful of grass at Bradley. "Ponies and dogs aren't stupid," Bradley said, wiping pieces of grass off his T-shirt. "Nobody said they were," Brian said. "So what?" "So they wouldn't just wander around," Bradley went on. "They'd have a plan." "Yeah, only they didn't bother to tell us what it was," Nate said. "What do they both like to do?" Bradley asked. "What do Polly and Pal like better than anything?" "Food!" the other three kids yelled, and they all laughed. "Right," Bradley said. "So who do we know who gives food to animals?" "We do," Brian said. "No, I mean other people," Bradley said. "Dr. Henry, the vet, does," Nate said.

"And Mrs. Wong, at the pet shop," Brian said. "She even feeds squirrels and pigeons!" "Did anyone bring them a picture of Polly and Pal?" Nate asked. "Bradley and I tried at Dr. Henry's, but he wasn't there," Lucy said. "The place was closed." "We stopped at the Furry Feet Pet Shop, but Mrs. Wong's shop was closed, too," Brian said. "Well, I think we should try them again," Bradley said. "They both keep a lot of pet food around. Polly and Pal would smell it." "We've tried everything else," Brian said. "Let's go." The kids hiked back across Main Street and up East Green Street. They tried the front door of Dr. Henry's office, but it was locked. They walked all around the building. Bradley checked the ground for hoofprints. "Okay, let's go to Furry Feet," he said. The Furry Feet Pet Shop was on the corner of Main and Oak Streets. The kids stood in front of the shop, peering through the glass. They saw kittens, fish, and hamsters. No pony. No basset hound.

"The note's still on the door," Nate said. He read it: "At the petting zoo." Bradley stared at the note. "Remember when we saw Dr. Henry this morning, on the way to the parade?" he asked the others. "He said he was going to help out at the petting zoo. And this note says Mrs. Wong is there, too."

"The vet said there was a party there for the animals today," Lucy said. "Right, now I remember," Bradley said. He looked at the other kids. "If there's a party for animals, there'll be food for animals. We should check it out." The kids cut across Oak Street and passed People's Pond. They hurried past the police station, library, and senior center. "Wow, the place is crowded!" Nate said. Hundreds of people were at the Children's Petting Zoo and Aquarium. Almost everyone had a pet with them. Many of the kids had party hats on. There was a lot of noise from the animals and the people. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. "Look, there's Mr. Neater," Brian said. He waved at a tall man with white hair. Mr. Neater used to be the janitor at their school. Now he worked as a volunteer at the petting zoo. Mr. Neater was holding his rabbit, Douglas. "Hey, kids, welcome to the party!" Mr. Neater said. "It's our own Fourth of July celebration."

The kids looked around. They saw Mrs. Wong talking to some children while she fed baby ducks. Dr. Henry was there, too. He was showing some kids how to brush a lamb's wool. "Your pony and dog are here somewhere," Mr. Neater said. "They are?" Bradley asked. "Didn't you know?" Mr. Neater asked. "We've been looking for them for hours!" Bradley said. "They ran away from the parade!" "Goodness, they've been here all this time," Mr. Neater said. "My friends Ted and Sally have been watching them. We were wondering why you kids weren't here, too." Bradley laughed. "We've been running all over town!" he said. "Follow me," Mr. Neater said. Carrying Douglas in his arms, Mr. Neater led the kids over to a small barn. Lots of people were there, feeding a flock of goats and some chickens. Polly was being brushed by an elderly couple. A little girl was feeding her carrots and apples. Polly looked very happy.