Chapter 8 - THE PRICE OF LOVE
The Northside Animal Shelter was a clean, modern brick building surrounded by a high chain-link fence. As Ben and Toby approached the gate, a familiar, frantic bark shattered the quiet afternoon.
"Barnaby!" Toby screamed.
Through the wire fence of the outdoor play yard, a scruffy golden-brown dog was jumping frantically, his tail wagging so hard his entire body was shaking. He pressed his wet nose against the chain-link, whining with pure, desperate joy.
"We found you!" Ben laughed, tears of relief spilling over his eyes as he ran to the fence, letting Barnaby lick his fingers through the wire.
But their joy was cut short. A tall, well-dressed man in an expensive navy suit walked out of the shelter office, followed by the shelter manager. The man was pointing directly at Barnaby.
"That’s the dog," the wealthy man said, his voice cold and arrogant. "He matches the breed my daughter lost last month. I’ll pay the adoption and registration fees right now."
"Wait! No!" Ben yelled, spinning around to face them. "That’s our dog! His name is Barnaby! We saved him from a dumpster!"
The wealthy man looked down at Ben and Toby, his eyes taking in their dirt-smudged faces, Toby’s oversized, faded blue sweater, and their worn-out sneakers. A look of disgust crossed his face.
"You’re just homeless street urchins," the man sneered, waving his hand dismissively. "You don't even have a place to live, let alone the money to care for an animal. This dog deserves a proper home, not a life in an alley."
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The shelter manager looked uncomfortable, looking from the wealthy man's wallet to the two ragged, desperate boys. "I'm sorry, kids, but he's right. Without proof of ownership or the ability to pay the processing fees, I can't release the animal to minors."
"Please!" Toby sobbed, grabbing the metal fence. "He’s our family! Don't let him take him!"
