Book ~ "Bella" (2011) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ Charles and Lizzie Peterson love puppies. They enjoy taking care of the dogs themselves but the best part is finding a perfect new owner for these adorable animals. Bella is an orphaned newborn cocker spaniel. She is very weak and almost doesn't survive her first night. Lizzie is determined to save the pint-sized pup. The Peterson's bottle-feed her around the clock until she's healthy enough to be adopted. But who will give this sweet little dog the home she deserves?

Lizzie and her younger brother, Charles, are in elementary school. The Peterson family have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

Lizzie was at a birthday party at an animal shelter she volunteers at when a weak four-week cocker spaniel puppy was brought in. Her mother was sick and the owner was busy taking care of her so she asked the owner of the shelter for help. The puppy wasn't expected to make it through the night but does. Lizzie and her family offer to foster the puppy who they name Bella. Taking care of such a young puppy is a lot of work for the family. Though they try to keep Buddy away from Bella, it turns out he is the best surrogate mom for her.

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 Bella and Buddy, the puppies' points of view. It is the twenty-second in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 64 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.