Bailey Read Online Free Page A

is webbed!” said Maya. “That is so cool!”
    â€œI read that most dogs have a small amount of webbed skin between their toes but not enough to say they have webbed feet. But quite a few breeds do,” Kat said. “Retrievers were bred to swim out to fishing nets and bring them back to shore, so the webbed feet help them to swim. That’s what my Dog Breeds of the World says.”
    Restless, Bailey licked Kat’s fingers, then pulled his paw away. He jumped to his feet and looked at the girls, wagging his tail.
    â€œI think he wants to play!” said Maya.
    â€œGood idea, Bailey,” said Kat. “Let’s do it!”
    For almost an hour, the girls ran and tumbled with the puppy. He chased them, and then they chased him.
    Round and round they went. Every once in a while, Bailey flopped down on his tummy and rested.
    â€œBailey has two speeds: full speed and full stop!” Kat told Maya, laughing.
    Other times, the roly-poly puppy would go so fast, he’d lose his balance. He’d do a somersault, head over tail.
    Finally, it was the girls’ turn to catch their breath. Bailey bowed to them with both front paws out in front. It was as if he were saying, “Come on. Just try and get me!”

    â€œWe’re taking a break, Bailey!” said Kat.
    â€œYeah, you’re wearing us out!” Maya panted.
    Bailey turned and sniffed the other empty crates. Then he found his big basket of toys. With a giant leap, he scrabbled over the side of the basket. He fell right into the jumble of rubber chew toys and cloth tug ropes. He twisted and turned until he was sitting again.
    â€œBailey, you’re so cute!” Kat laughed.
    Bailey grabbed a chew toy between his teeth. He shook it hard from side to side, his ears flying in all directions. Then he lost his balance and toppled over onto the toys again.
    Maya giggled. “Oh, Kat, I wish I’d brought my camera! Oh, we could add Bailey’s photo to our Puppy Collection!”
    â€œNext time, for sure,” agreed Kat.
    â€œKat, do you really think there will be a next time? Do you think your aunt will let us come and play with Bailey again tomorrow?” asked Maya wistfully.
    â€œI sure hope so,” said Kat. “Especially if we do a good job keeping Bailey happy today. We’ll prove to her that she can trust us and we can keep Bailey safe.”
    Just then Bailey leaped up. His ears swiveled here and there as he looked over the side of the basket. He waded through his toys to the side of the basket, attempting to climb over the side, when suddenly the whole basket tipped over. Everything tumbled out—all the toys and the puppy too!
    â€œOh, Bailey!” Kat cried in alarm. But the little yellow Lab picked himself up and gave an enormous shake. The girls both crouched down and clapped their hands.
    â€œGood boy, Bailey!” they cried. “Here, boy!”
    At once, Bailey’s ears perked up and his eyes brightened. He galloped toward the girls at full puppy speed.
    â€œWhoa, Bailey, slow down!” warned Kat. But Bailey came barreling toward them, and when he reached the girls, he couldn’t stop. He tried, but his little legs went here and there. Bailey skidded into Kat, who fell back on her bum with a thump, knocking over Maya as well. Girls and puppy were tangled together in a heap.
    Just then the door to the doggy day care opened.
    â€œAunt Jenn,” cried Kat, her heart sinking. There was her aunt, frowning, her hands on her hips.

“Girls?” Aunt Jenn raised an eyebrow.
    Kat and Maya jumped to their feet. Kat reached down and scooped up Bailey. “We’re fine. Bailey’s fine,” Kat said quickly. “We were just playing. Everything’s fine.”
    â€œTotally fine,” Maya added.
    Bailey gave a little happy puppy bark. He squirmed and licked Kat’s hands. “See?” Kat said. “Bailey’s fine.”
    Aunt