The Wild Wolf Pup Read Online Free Page A

tall trees with reddish-brown cones hanging from their branches. “These are Sitka spruce trees,” Great-Uncle Horace explained. “They’re the most important tree found in Alaska, so hopefully they will help Shadow to feel at home.”
    Zoe breathed in deeply as they stepped inside. She thought it smelled amazing in the enclosure – fresh and piney, like being inside a real forest! Shadow seemed to like it too. His ears were pricked up and he was sniffing the air eagerly. Zoe placed him gently on the ground and straightaway he started dashing round, exploring.
    Just then the wolf keeper, Ethan, arrived.“Hello, everyone!” he called, waving. “I’ve been so looking forward to meeting this little fellow. Wow, look how cute he is! Does he have a name yet?”
    â€œHe’s called Shadow,” Zoe told him.
    â€œWell, I hope Shadow likes his new home,” said Ethan. “I brought him a little welcome present too.” He held up a red bouncy ball, which he rolled gently across the ground towards Shadow. The little pup gave it a curious sniff, patted it with his paws – then he leaped on it excitedly, howling and barking! Meep, who had been sitting on the floor of the enclosure, had to scuttle quickly out of the way. He ran up Zoe’s leg and up on to her shoulder as Shadow raced after the ball, leaping into the air and pouncing on it over and over again.

    â€œDon’t worry, Meep,” Zoe whispered with a smile. “He’s just playing!”
    â€œI think he likes that game!” chuckled Great-Uncle Horace as they all watched Shadow playing boisterously.
    In fact, Shadow liked the ball a little bit too much! He chased it around the enclosure, butting it with his head and snapping at it playfully with his white teeth, until there was a pop . Shadow had burst it! The little pup looked at the crumpled plastic, puzzled, and gave a sad little whine. Zoe quickly ran over to him and whispered, “Don’t worry, Shadow – we’ll get you another one.”
    Just then Lucy called, “Zoe? I think it’s time we went home and had tea. Let’s leave Shadow to get settled in. He’s had a long day.”
    â€œCan’t I stay a bit longer, Mum?” asked Zoe hopefully. She wasn’t ready to leave Shadow yet, and before she did, she wanted to ask him if he really liked his new enclosure!’
    Lucy smiled. “Five more minutes then. You can always come back to visit him after school tomorrow, remember.”
    While Lucy and Ethan chatted, Zoe crouched down next to Shadow. “What do you think of your enclosure?” she whispered. “Do you like it?”
    Shadow wagged his tail and gave a happy yap. The little pup loved his new home! “We’re going to have lots of fun together!” Zoe told him, smiling. “Meep and I will come back to play tomorrow.”
    Zoe gave Shadow one last cuddle, said goodbye to Great-Uncle Horace andEthan, and then left the enclosure with her mum and Meep. As they walked down the path back to the cottage, they heard a howl coming from behind them.
    â€œThat’s Shadow! He’s howling again!” said Zoe. She listened carefully, trying to work out whether the noise sounded sad or frightened. “Do you think he’s OK, Mum?” she asked anxiously.
    â€œI think so, Zoe. He certainly seemed happy, didn’t he?” said Lucy. “Remember, a wolf doesn’t only howl because it’s unhappy. Animals make noises for lots of different reasons. They might be trying to communicate with other animals. They might be hungry, or warning off enemies, or just feeling content! Sometimes I wish I could talk to animals, Zoe – it would be amazing to be able to ask them exactlywhat they’re thinking.”
    Zoe and Meep exchanged a glance. I can talk to animals! thought Zoe. As soon as I can speak to Shadow with no one else around, I’ll ask why he’s