Chapter 59

Saving Ursa

I walked to school alone the next day. I looked down and almost expected my huge, furry friend to be there, but she wasn't. Ursa was still at the pound, probably being neglected and starved to death along with all of the other dogs there. I had to do something, but I didn't know what. If I saved Ursa, I knew I would feel guilty about not saving all of the others. I already had one project to figure out. I didn't need another.

Samina was there waiting for me at the school. "Hey Isabelle," she said. "Where's Ursa?"

"Long story," I said.

"I have time," Samina said.

"Should I tell her?" I asked the Magic 8 Ball.

Yes.

"Okay," I said. "Ursa's in the pound."

Samina gasped. "They can't do that! She's yours!"

"Actually, she's not," I said. "I kind of just found her and she's been following me around ever since. I should have known better than to get attached to her."

"Who can blame you?" Samina said. "Ursa's cute. So what are you going to do?

"Well, the man at the pound said I could adopt her for one hundred dollars, but I need my parents there, and there's no way they're going to say yes to me adopting a dog."

Samina thought for a moment. "Isn't there something you can do?"

"No. But I can't just keep her there! You wouldn't believe some of the stuff that happens there. They're obviously neglecting the dogs."

"You're right," Samina said. "We have to get her out of there! But how are we going to do it?"

"I have an idea," I said. Of course, it was a lousy, poorly thought out idea, but it might just be insane enough to work.

"What is it?" Samina asked.

"Meet me at Barnswell after school," I said. "Tell Candace to come too."

"Why?"

"You'll see." I grinned. It was kind of fun being so secretive. Honestly though, I didn't know what I was doing. I always preferred to have a real plan, but I didn't really have a choice. This was for Ursa. I couldn't just leave her there.

The bell rang and we both rushed inside. Maybe I was in too deep. One major project that would save the community was hard enough, forget two. But I knew Candace was right. I had to stop worrying about everything. I took a deep breath. Maybe this would work out. Maybe I could save Barnswell and rescue Ursa from the pound. But right now, it just felt like I was trying to be a superhero when I couldn't even fly.