“Please? I promise I’ll be back before lunch tomorrow, and besides, you don’t have to cook dinner for me and Ann since I will be at her house.” 

    “Chloe, I need you to take care of Charlie when I’m at the office. Although I suppose it wouldn’t hurt for you to spend the night.” 

    Ann is my best friend and I’m super excited to get to spend the night at her house. I start packing my backpack with everything I need for the sleepover. Just as I was about to stuff my P.J.s in my overloaded backpack, Daisy (my golden retriever) galloped into the room carrying my little brother Charlie’s sock in her jaws.

Chapter 1: Best Friends

    “Drop it!” “Not for you!” “No Daisy, drop the sock!”  

     Reluctantly, she let go of it and placed the soggy sock on my bed.

    “Not there Daisy, bring it back to Charlie’s room!” 

    On the bus, I told Ann the great news. We got off the bus and headed to our classroom (6th grade, 3rd door on the left). The school day wasn't too different from a regular one but while Mr. Cameron was giving us a lecture 

about division we both couldn’t stop 

thinking about the sleepover. 

    When Ann’s mom picked us up from 

school we were both relieved.

    We could finally have our sleepover! At her house, we painted each other's nails and did makeovers. It was only about 3 o’clock so we decided to go to the mall. We both hopped into Ann’s moms car and giggled the whole way to the Portland mall. 

    The parking lot was seriously PACKED! Once we found a spot to park we realized we were very, very far from the mall. Unfortunately it was literally the only spot we came across. We got out of the car and started walking. 

    After a long period of aching legs and sore feet, we finally got to the mall. We rushed past Old Navy and a few other clothing stores as quickly as possible (we did not care much for clothes shopping). 

     Then we found a decent shop that wasn’t just for 8 year olds. After all, me and Ann were both 11. Once we finished shopping, we both had two full bags of cool things.

    Once we were done checking out we decided to get ice cream. On our way there something caught Ann’s eye. It was a pet store.

    “Wait,” Ann said. “I want to go in.” I agreed and we headed in. Ann rushed to the dog section. 

    “I’ve always wanted a dog,” Ann said. 

    “Me too,” I said without thinking. 

    "You already have one silly pants,” she said, giving me a pat on the back like she always does. 

    “Chloe, you’re the best friend ever.” 

    “You too Ann. If you’ve always wanted a dog why haven’t you gotten one?” I said. 

    “Oh, my family has just never thought about it, but I know they do love dogs.”

    Once we got back to Ann’s house, we had dinner and dessert. After an hour of chit-chatting in sleeping bags we finally fell asleep. 

    When I woke up I realized I had slept in longer than Ann. Ann was still in her pajamas reading in her sleeping bag. 

    “Whew, I thought you’d never wake up. But that’s okay,” said Ann reading my mind. “One time I slept in until lunch!” 

    I wanted to ask her if she was crazy but she's my bestie so I didn't want to interrupt our chat with a rude comment.

    Once we got dressed, a delicious fragrance started streaming out of the kitchen. 

    “Great!” said Ann. “Mom must be finished making breakfast.”

    In the dining room, stacks of golden brown pancakes were piled on each of our plates with greasy cooked bacon and eggs on toast. It was breakfast heaven! Then, Ann walked over to me holding something behind her back. “Close your eyes!” I closed them and Ann placed something around my neck. 

    “Okay. open your eyes.” Ann said.

    It was a best friend necklace! I immediately said “Thanks!”

    “Anytime Chloe - after all we will always be besties.” 

Chapter 2: Cookies and the Vet

    Once I got picked up by my mom, I went to my room to check on Daisy. She was laying on my bed taking a nap. I walked over to my cabinet and placed the best friend necklace on the highest shelf so that Charlie couldn’t get to it. Next, I unpacked my backpack.

    After lunch, Daisy woke up. I got out her leash and her favorite ball. I headed outside with her. Clearly, she had not gotten much exercise and she ran at her top speed to the park. Panting, I finally got to the park. 

    "Daisy," I said, "You can't just run off like that." 

    I threw her favorite ball to catch her attention. She dashed right after it. Daisy was back in seconds and dropped the ball at my feet. 

    "Good girl," I said as she licked my face. 

    I threw the ball over and over. After a fun afternoon of kisses and "good girls", we were both ready to go home. 

    At home I played a game I used to play when Daisy was a pup. She would hide somewhere and howl as I closed my eyes and walked around following the sound of her howl. I kept running into things until I finally found her. 

    "Dinner!" yelled my mom. 

    "What are we having?" I yelled back. 

    "Zoodles!" 

    "Zoodles? What are Zoodles?" I said with a gross look on my face. 

    "They're zucchini noodles," she replied. 

     After dinner we watched a movie about a stuffed bunny that comes alive. After the movie was over I walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth and I caught Charlie at just the right time. He was standing in the tub with shaving cream all over him. He tried to close the shower curtain to hide himself but he was already busted!

    Mom walked in yelling, "Charlie! Your birthday is in two days, don't you want presents?" 

    Charlie was sent to his room as a punishment. Charlie was an annoying 6 year old but at least he hadn't found my permanent markers (yet)! 

    Tomorrow is Charlie's birthday. At the moment me, mom, dad, Charlie, and Daisy are riding in our Toyota to the vet.

    Once we got there, everyone hopped out except Daisy.

    "It's okay girl," I said as I drug her out of the car and into the vet. 

    I was hoping we wouldn't be there for very long for her check-up because last time Daisy went wild. After Daisy's check up, the vet took Mom and Dad into another room to talk about something. After that, we all went back to the car and drove home. 

    Since tomorrow was Charlie's birthday, we left Charlie at home while we went to the store to get supplies and gifts. When we got back we heard wailing and knew something was wrong. We all rushed in. Charlie was laying on the floor near the refrigerator, crying and grabbing his left foot. 

    "Charlie, what happened?" I asked in a worried voice.

    "I was snif snif tr-tr-trying to get the cookies on the fridge - owwwe! I hurt my foot!" He said crying. 

    Charlie had sprained his ankle and returned from the doctor with a cast and some"get well presents"

    "That's no fair!" I thought, "He gets MORE gifts!" 

    On his birthday he had a Piñata and a chocolate cake. Charlie got at least five presents from everyone. 

    The next day at school for homework we needed to make a painting. I made a big swishy abstract painting but Daisy stepped on it. When it dried, it looked kind of cool. 

    The next day after school, I went to the pool with Ann. It was so fun! Daisy came along too but wouldn't get in. Then we decided to make cookies.

                                First we got the flour and dumped it into a                        bowl. Next, we added butter, eggs, and chocolate chips. Last, we added the sugar and baked them. Once the cookies were done we went door to door selling them. In the end we had made a total of $20. We went to get ice cream at the store. I got strawberry and Ann got mint chocolate chip. We still had $13 so we got some Starbursts and lollipops. 

    Then we went on a bike ride to the park with Daisy. At the park we played fetch with Daisy. Daisy liked Ann's happy attitude. 

    At home, we watched TV and played monopoly. Then we listened to our favorite songs. 

    "I have an idea. We could dye our hair!" 

    I asked my mom for permission and she said yes!

     We went to the store and got some hair dye. First we bleached my hair (Ann didn't need to bleach her hair because she already has blonde hair). I got blue dye and Ann got pink. We didn't fully dye our hair, we just gave each other streaks.         Once we were done it was so cool and we looked awesome! I nearly gave Charlie a heart attack, but it was so fun! It was now time for Ann to go home. She left. Something told me that I should check on Daisy. Daisy was laying on the floor and the hair dye packets were empty. 

    "Charlie! What have you done to Daisy?!" I yelled. 

    Daisy was now looking like a clown. Pink and blue streaks were covering Daisy's soft blonde fur. 

    "Charlie!!" I yelled again. 

    Luckily we were able to wash everything out of her fur.

Chapter 3: Daisy the Show Dog

    I was sewing a pillow when Ann rushed in the house flapping a piece of paper in my face. 

    "Calm down!" I said looking confused. 

    "Look! Look!" Ann said. 

    "What?" I replied.

    "Just look!" She said, putting the piece of paper in my hand. 

    I looked at the piece of paper and it was a fancy picture of a poodle and a gold ribbon. 

    I looked more closely at the paper and it read:

"ATTENTION! There will be a dog show at the town park at 12 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. The winning dog will get a special prize.

    "Wow," I said, "We should totally do this!" 

    We knew that tomorrow was Wednesday, so we should start practicing our routine with Daisy. We would make Daisy look nice in the morning tomorrow. We started with tricks. She could roll over, jump from one place to another, and stand on her hind legs for 3 seconds. We helped Daisy practice standing on her hind legs for longer. We helped her jump further. And we helped her roll over more times in a row. In the end, Daisy was amazing. Still, who knows, maybe someone's dog can sing? 

    The next day Ann rushed over to my house. First we gave Daisy a bath and scrubbed her with scented shampoo. Next we brushed her fur and tied a blue ribbon around her neck.

    We headed to the town park. There was a big platform meant to be the stage.

    "FIVE MINUTES! FIVE MINUTES!" Boomed through the loud speaker. 

    The first dog was a great dane named Stacy owned by an old man. Stacy stood there and then she jumped in the air. The rest turned out to be a little better than Stacy. Then it was our turn!

    First Daisy rolled over 5 times in a row. Then, she jumped from one pillar nearly 4 feet to the other pillar. Last, Daisy stood on her hind legs for 9 seconds. Once the judging started, everyone got tense. First place is... Jaws the basset hound! In second place... Daisy the golden retriever! 

    In the end, Daisy got some expensive dog treats. 

    "That was so cool Daisy. You did great!" I said to her. 

    At home, we threw Daisy a party and baked her a dog friendly cake. Daisy was so happy. Then we started getting hungry. We looked in the fridge for a snack. Once we were done eating Cheez-Its Ann had to go home. We had pasta for dinner and ice cream for dessert. 

    That night I couldn't sleep, partly because I could hear my mom reading to Charlie but mostly because I was thinking about Daisy. I couldn't believe she got second place! I was so proud of her. I mean ,who gets a dog that is so great it can win second place? Daisy was my hero and I sure was glad. 

Chapter 4: Surprises

    When I woke up, I could feel mom's hand resting on my back. 

    "Mom, why are you here?" I asked.

    "I need to tell you something." She said back.

    "What?" I said. 

    "Daisy," she said hesitating. 

    "What?" I asked.

    "In a month, Daisy will be a mother! And a proud one too!

    "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, a little confused.

    "We weren't sure but now we know. She's at the vet right now. Let's get going."