by Cynthia Lord
First published 2016
A group of sato puppies arrives at the animal shelter where Suzannah volunteers. These homeless dogs from Puerto Rico need care before they can find new families. Suzannah immediately connects with one puppy named Paloma, spending time playing with her until the little dog drifts off to sleep in her lap. The bond between girl and puppy grows strong during their time together. When adoption day arrives the following week, people line up at the shelter hoping to take home one of the satos. Suzannah knows she should feel happy that Paloma will soon have a loving home, but instead her heart aches at the thought of saying goodbye. She faces an impossible question: how can she let Paloma go to another family when she has grown to love the puppy so much? The third book in Cynthia Lord's Shelter Pet Squad series explores the bittersweet emotions that come with caring for animals who need permanent homes.
Genres: animals, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: bittersweet, found-family
Setting: Puerto Rico
133 pages · Kindle Edition · Scholastic