CHAPTER 7

After dinner, Grover and Benji settled down on the bed near the fireplace. Grover was worried. He wanted to find Benji the perfect new home and prove Mr Tibbles wrong. But how could he possibly do it in just one day?

‘Do you really think you can find me a new human by tomorrow, Grover?’ Benji asked. He looked so excited.

‘Well …’ said Grover hesitantly, ‘I’m going to try.’

Benji’s smile faded. ‘I thought it might be too good to be true,’ he said.

‘Okay, you two, time for bed,’ said Annie. ‘We’ve got a big day tomorrow.’ She led them up the stairs.

The next day was Therapy Day, Grover’s favourite day of the week. It was when Grover and Annie visited the wonderful place where all the grandparents lived. The grandparents always gave Grover oodles of pats and treats, and loads of back scratches and belly rubs. They also always had CAKE. Although Grover wasn’t allowed to eat any, they couldn’t stop him sniffing!

But just as he was getting excited about the next day, Grover realised something terrible.

If we’re not at the shelter tomorrow, how will I ever be able to find Benji a home? Grover thought.

When the sun came up the next morning, Grover had barely slept a wink. He’d spent all night worrying about how to find Benji the perfect home.

Benji needed to live somewhere where there would always be humans around, so he didn’t get scared on his own. Most of the humans who Grover had met had to go to work every day, which meant that they couldn’t stay home with Benji.

And how was Grover going to find a place where it wouldn’t matter that Benji was a bit deaf and couldn’t really see? It certainly couldn’t have any stairs, Grover thought.

Oh, it was all TOO HARD! Grover had been thinking all night, but he still hadn’t come up with a plan. He felt awful.

Benji woke up and let out a huge yawn. Grover looked down at him. He didn’t know how to tell his new friend that he didn’t think they would be finding him a new home today.

‘Okay, you two, are you ready for a day of cuddles and pats at the Aged Care Home?’ Annie called, as she stood over the dogs’ bed.

The Aged Care Home was the name of the place with all the grandparents. Grover had never understood why they didn’t just call it the Grandparents’ Home. That sounds much nicer, he thought.

‘Are you feeling okay, Grover?’ David said. ‘You didn’t pester me for a walk this morning. That’s not like you!’

A walk? There’s no time for a walk today! Grover thought sadly. To feel better, he went over to David and leant against his leg for a pat.

‘He doesn’t seem like himself, Annie,’ David said, crouching down to look Grover in the eye. ‘Was he okay yesterday?’

Annie looked down at Grover with concern. ‘We did have a busy day in the office, so maybe he’s just tired,’ she said. ‘I’ll keep an eye on him today.’

Grover was so worried about Benji, he didn’t even finish all of his breakfast.

That had NEVER happened before!

When Annie clipped on the dogs’ leads and walked them outside, Grover was not at all surprised to see a certain cat waiting on the porch.

‘The clock is ticking, Dog,’ Mr Tibbles jeered. ‘Tick, tock.’

Grover didn’t have the energy to bark at Mr Tibbles. He guided Benji down the three stairs and into the car. He HAD to find Benji the perfect home today, or he’d never hear the end of it from that horrible cat!

As Annie drove towards the Aged Care Home, Grover described all the things he could see to Benji: traffic lights, parks, street signs, coffee shops. There was even a postman on a huge motorbike! Benji liked hearing about that.

‘Do you think my new human will describe things to help me see?’ Benji asked.

‘I don’t know,’ Grover replied. ‘I hope so.’ He REALLY did, but he also knew that most humans would be too busy.

‘I’m sure we’ll spend all day together. Maybe in the garden, just like with Nancy. We’ll smell flowers, and nap in the sun,’ Benji said, smiling at the thought.

Grover didn’t want to break Benji’s heart, but he felt like he should be honest.

‘You know, Benji,’ Grover said slowly, ‘most humans have to go to work, so it might take a little while to find someone who can stay home with you all day.’

‘You don’t think we’ll be able to find me a new human today, then?’ Benji asked, looking sad.

‘Maybe not,’ said Grover. ‘I’m sorry, Benji. But I promise we’ll find the right human for you soon.’

‘I understand,’ said Benji. ‘My Nancy was one in a million.’