Read Online Samantha's Talent by Darrell Bain, Robyn Pass - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Darrell Bain, Robyn Pass
Tags: Science-Fiction
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The dogs were pretending the squeaky toys were rabbits and their innocently vicious thoughts seemed perfectly natural to her. Dogs had a hunting ancestry in their genes and chasing thrown toys gave them a chance to express it when no real rabbits or other prey were available.
Mr. Orleans joined them for a few minutes and Samantha held Shufus back while the man threw the squeaky toy for Tuffy. "I've never seen anyone who can teach dogs so quickly," he said. "Your mother is right. You do have a way with animals. Have you thought about becoming a veterinarian when you grow up?"
"A vet... a veterinarian? Isn't that an animal doctor?"
"Right. You're so good with dogs and your Mother said you have a way with animals. It would be a perfect profession for you when you're grown."
All the way home while she walked with Shufus by her side, Samantha thought about what Mr. Orleans had said. Maybe I should , she thought. I think I'll look into it. Up until then Samantha had never thought of doctoring animals but now it seemed like a good idea. At least the animals would be able to tell her where it hurt and how they felt. She decided to ask her father about it while they were at the zoo.
Chapter Four
According to the on-line references Samantha read, Lufkin supported a very good zoo for a city its size. That fact alone made her doubly anxious for the next four days to pass so it would be Saturday. She was really glad her father had volunteered to help as a chaperone, too. He would never make fun of anyone who asked questions. She loved almost all animals, especially the mammals, the most intelligent of them. Samantha began talking about all the variety of creatures they would see and how the zoo tried to arrange for as near a normal habitat for them as possible and which exhibits she particularly wanted to visit until her Father finally laughed.
"You're a real chatterbox, Sammie. I hope your friends will enjoy this as much as you think you will."
"Oh, I know I'll have a good time, Dad. Thanks so much for volunteering, too. It's too bad Mom didn't want to come."
"Saturday is her shopping day, Sammie. Remember? She works just as hard as I do during the day keeping house, or you do while at school. Besides, I think it's good for fathers and daughters to get out together once in a while even if it is with a gang of boisterous young ladies."
Samantha laughed, knowing he was only teasing.
The ride to the zoo took longer than she thought it would. After all, she could see part of it from their backyard, but the route couldn't go in a straight line. This was because of the woods between the zoo and their house, which was on the last block of the development situated along an elevated ridge of land. The class left in a convoy of cars driven by Ms. Smithers and the parents who had volunteered. Even though she was so anxious to get there that she was practically bouncing against the seat belt, Samantha did enjoy seeing a new part of the city. It was too bad Shufus couldn't come, she thought. He loved to ride and stand on the seat and look out the window.
The fee was paid by the school so there was no waiting at the entrance and soon Samantha and her classmates were among the exhibits of animals.
First came the giraffes and elephants.
"Wow! I didn't think they were that big!" Samantha said. She, like the other students, was awed by their size. She found on the information plaque that elephants were one of the more intelligent mammals. She wished she could talk to them. They were certainly close enough but she had promised, and there were all her classmates as well as other visitors nearby.
The monkeys were fun to watch with their swarming antics on the climbing ropes and simulated tree branches. Even better, patrons could get close to them although they were separated by a chain link fence similar to that around yards. The monkeys pushed their hands through the holes between links, begging for peanuts and other food. She wanted to feed
Mr. Orleans joined them for a few minutes and Samantha held Shufus back while the man threw the squeaky toy for Tuffy. "I've never seen anyone who can teach dogs so quickly," he said. "Your mother is right. You do have a way with animals. Have you thought about becoming a veterinarian when you grow up?"
"A vet... a veterinarian? Isn't that an animal doctor?"
"Right. You're so good with dogs and your Mother said you have a way with animals. It would be a perfect profession for you when you're grown."
All the way home while she walked with Shufus by her side, Samantha thought about what Mr. Orleans had said. Maybe I should , she thought. I think I'll look into it. Up until then Samantha had never thought of doctoring animals but now it seemed like a good idea. At least the animals would be able to tell her where it hurt and how they felt. She decided to ask her father about it while they were at the zoo.
Chapter Four
According to the on-line references Samantha read, Lufkin supported a very good zoo for a city its size. That fact alone made her doubly anxious for the next four days to pass so it would be Saturday. She was really glad her father had volunteered to help as a chaperone, too. He would never make fun of anyone who asked questions. She loved almost all animals, especially the mammals, the most intelligent of them. Samantha began talking about all the variety of creatures they would see and how the zoo tried to arrange for as near a normal habitat for them as possible and which exhibits she particularly wanted to visit until her Father finally laughed.
"You're a real chatterbox, Sammie. I hope your friends will enjoy this as much as you think you will."
"Oh, I know I'll have a good time, Dad. Thanks so much for volunteering, too. It's too bad Mom didn't want to come."
"Saturday is her shopping day, Sammie. Remember? She works just as hard as I do during the day keeping house, or you do while at school. Besides, I think it's good for fathers and daughters to get out together once in a while even if it is with a gang of boisterous young ladies."
Samantha laughed, knowing he was only teasing.
The ride to the zoo took longer than she thought it would. After all, she could see part of it from their backyard, but the route couldn't go in a straight line. This was because of the woods between the zoo and their house, which was on the last block of the development situated along an elevated ridge of land. The class left in a convoy of cars driven by Ms. Smithers and the parents who had volunteered. Even though she was so anxious to get there that she was practically bouncing against the seat belt, Samantha did enjoy seeing a new part of the city. It was too bad Shufus couldn't come, she thought. He loved to ride and stand on the seat and look out the window.
The fee was paid by the school so there was no waiting at the entrance and soon Samantha and her classmates were among the exhibits of animals.
First came the giraffes and elephants.
"Wow! I didn't think they were that big!" Samantha said. She, like the other students, was awed by their size. She found on the information plaque that elephants were one of the more intelligent mammals. She wished she could talk to them. They were certainly close enough but she had promised, and there were all her classmates as well as other visitors nearby.
The monkeys were fun to watch with their swarming antics on the climbing ropes and simulated tree branches. Even better, patrons could get close to them although they were separated by a chain link fence similar to that around yards. The monkeys pushed their hands through the holes between links, begging for peanuts and other food. She wanted to feed
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