Book ~ "Buddy" (2007) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ Charles and Lizzie Peterson are very good with puppies. They want one of their own but their mom has never been ready for them to have one full time. For now, they help take care of puppies that need to find a new home. 

Lizzie helps out at the local dog shelter and the shelter's newest arrival, Skipper, has a surprise: three newborn puppies! The Petersons decide to foster all four dogs. 

Will they be able to find just the right home for all of them and can Mrs. Peterson resist even these adorable pups?

Lizzie and Charles, her younger brother, are in elementary school. They have been bugging their parents to get a dog but their mom is a cat person and has said no. She agrees to let them foster dogs so they can see what it's like having the responsibility of having a dog. 

Lizzie volunteers at an animal rescue which is overloaded with dogs. Since Lizzie and her family foster dogs, she meets Skipper, a new dog, and she gets a surprise ... not only does Skipper need a foster home but she also has three young puppies. Lizzie's parents agree to foster them and give them names. They name the only male puppy Buddy and he needs a bit more help as he's the runt. Lizzie and her family organize an adopt-a-thon at a local bookstore to raise awareness of the bookstore but also to find homes for the dogs in the shelter.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Rascal's point of view. It is the fifth in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 64 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.