“Look at them go!” said Charles as he and Lizzie stood in the backyard later that day. Rusty and Buddy tore around the yard, chasing each other so fast that sometimes one or the other of them almost somersaulted as they took a turn. Rusty’s coat was a red blur.

Mom had given in to fostering Rusty — at least, she’d agreed to give it a try. Mom always gave in when it came to fostering puppies. With some puppies it took a little more work, but in the end she never really put her foot down and said no. It had helped that Aunt Amanda had gotten to know Rusty a little bit. “He’s really a good boy at heart,” she had told Lizzie’s mom as she and Lizzie hurried her past his kennel at Caring Paws. (Neither of them had wanted Mom to spot the shredded dog bed.) “He’ll get along great with Buddy, and I don’t think he’ll be much trouble at all.”

Ms. Dobbins had helped, too. “You’re doing me — and Rusty — a huge favor,” she said as she saw them out the door. “I think he’d be so bored here overnight. Also, the more time he can spend with a family, the better. He’ll learn some manners at your house, and soon he’ll be ready for adoption.”

“Well, we’ll see how it goes tonight and take it from there,” Mom said. She turned to Lizzie. “And don’t forget: you’re in charge of him.”

“I promise,” Lizzie said. This time it really was a promise. She was eager to spend more time with Rusty and see what he could learn.

Now, in the backyard, she smiled as she watched Rusty and Buddy play. This was what he really needed: a chance to run, to have fun, to let loose some of that wild energy. She grinned as she saw him shake off, sprawl into a play bow with his paws outstretched, then take off again with Buddy chasing after him. She had a feeling Rusty would sleep well that night, with all the running and wrestling.

But Rusty surprised her. Even after all that fun, the red pup seemed full of mischief. Back in the house, he was into everything. First he pulled every single toy out of Buddy’s toy basket. Then he started dragging the couch pillows onto the floor. He got into the dog food, spilled a water dish all over the kitchen floor, shredded a magazine Mom had left on the coffee table, and stole the Bean’s special blankie. “Rusty, no!” Lizzie kept saying as she followed him around.

Rusty really was a handful. But that night, he curled up on Lizzie’s bed, put his head on her belly, and gazed up at her adoringly as she stroked his silky ears.

That was the most fun day ever! I’m really glad we’re pals.

Her heart melted. He wasn’t a bad dog — in fact, he was one of the sweetest pups she’d ever met. He couldn’t help that he was just bursting with energy and high spirits. “Aw, Rusty,” she said. “My pal.”

*  *  *

The next morning, when Mom dropped Lizzie and Rusty off at Caring Paws, she reminded Lizzie that they’d agreed to take Rusty for only a night to see how it went. “If he’s too much for you, I’m sure Ms. Dobbins will understand.”

Lizzie shook her head. “I can handle him. I want Rusty to stay with us until we find the perfect new owner for him,” she said. “Gotta take care of my pal!” She kissed her mom good-bye, hopped out of the car, and led Rusty into Caring Paws.

Lizzie did not need Aunt Amanda to translate what Rusty was saying when she put him back into his kennel that morning. He looked up at her with big, sad eyes. He held one ear out at a pitiful angle, while the other drooped. His tail drooped even more. He slowly lifted a paw, as if to wave a sad good-bye. Rusty’s whole body was speaking to Lizzie.

What? You’re not really leaving me here, are you? I thought we were pals.

Lizzie swallowed back a lump of guilt. “I’ll see you soon,” she told him. “Remember? You’re my Pet Pal. And you’ll come home with me again tonight and hang out with Buddy and Charles and the Bean, and — ”

“Lizzie, we’re starting,” called Ms. Dobbins from the door to the dog area. She stepped in for a moment to see Rusty. “Aww, he’s really working it, isn’t he? Only a dog can make you feel that guilty.”

Lizzie nodded, swallowing again. She gave Rusty one last scratch through the wire mesh, then followed Ms. Dobbins to the meeting room.

The morning went by fast, with crafting time (they made scratch pads for the shelter cats and kittens), games (animal tag and another round of Obedience School), and snack. Lizzie enjoyed herself, but she never stopped thinking about Rusty.

Finally, it was Pet Pal time. Lizzie practically ran to the kennels, and she and Rusty had a happy reunion. Again, she took him out alone to the dog yard so he could run. Then everyone else came out and it was time for leash walking. Lizzie was prepared with extra-tasty treats and everything she remembered from what Aunt Amanda had shown her.

Ms. Dobbins was impressed. “He’s doing so much better already,” she said. “I knew you’d be the perfect pal for Rusty.”

After leash walking, the campers spent some time learning how to groom their dog pals. Ms. Dobbins handed out brushes and combs and explained the best ways to get rid of shed hair and undo a knot from a long coat. She walked around to each Pet Pal pair in turn, helping the campers work with their dogs. “One of our vet techs is going to demonstrate proper toenail clipping tomorrow,” she told them, “on Meet the Vet Day. You’ll also see how the vet gives an injection and how they do stitches.”

She stopped in front of Lizzie. “He looks beautiful,” she said. Rusty’s silky red coat was gleaming from the brushing Lizzie had given him. “We have a family coming to look at him tomorrow, and I’m sure they’ll be impressed.”

“Really?” Lizzie asked. “A family wants to adopt Rusty?” She felt her stomach drop. She wasn’t sure she was quite ready to give him up. No matter how many dogs her family fostered, Lizzie could never get used to that part of it.

“Well, they want to adopt a dog,” said Ms. Dobbins. “They’ll look at all the dogs we have here. But right now, I’d say Rusty is pretty irresistible. And he could be perfect for a family with a bunch of kids. He’d get all the playtime and attention he needs.”

Lizzie nodded and bit her lip. “Great,” she said. “I hope they like him.” But inside, she was thinking, Too soon! Too soon!