Arthur's pet business by Mark Brown narrated by me. You've been looking at puppies for months. Said DW. When are you going to ask mom and dad if you can have one? I'm waiting for just the right moment. Said Arthur. So promise not to say anything? That night at dinner father asked. What's new? Arthur wants a puppy. Said DW. Blabbermouth. Said Arthur. A puppy is a big responsibility, said father. I can take care of it. Said Arthur. We'll think about it. Mother said. That means no. Explain DW. Father dinner mother and father did the dishes. Can you hear what they're saying? Asked Arthur. They're worried about the new carpet. whisper DW. Suddenly the door opened. We've decided you may have a puppy if you take care of it. Said father. Wow. Said Arthur. But. Said mother. Said mother. First you need to show us that you're responsible. How will I ever prove I'm responsible? Asked Arthur. The best way I know is to get a job. Said DW. Then you can pay back the $7 you owe me. Ch-ching. Winter cash register. Arthur wondered what kind of a job he could do. You could work for my dad at the bank. Said Muffy. He needs some new tellers. If I were you, I'd get a job at Joe's junkyard crushing old cars. Offered binky barns. Do something that you like. Said Francine. That gave Arthur an idea. I'll take care of other people's pets. Said Arthur. Then mom and dad will know I can take care of my own. Arthur and Francine put up signs to advertise his new business. His family helped too. Arthur waited and waited. Then just before bedtime the phone rang. Hello. He said. Arthur's pet business. How may I help you? Yes. Oh, when? Where? Great. Said Arthur. Hurray! I'm going to watch Mrs. Woods' dog while she's on vacation and all earn $10. Oh no! Said DW. Not nasty little perky. Isn't that the dog the mailman calls JAWS? Asked father? That's perky. Said DW. The next morning Arthur ran all the way to Mrs. Woods' house. Right on time, said Mrs. Wood. Grrr. Groud perky. She hasn't been herself lately. Said Mrs. Wood. I'm worried. I'll take good care of her. Said Arthur. We'll be best friends. Grrr. Groud perky. Here's her schedule on a list of things she doesn't like. Said Mrs. Wood. I'll see you next Sunday. Arthur did his best to make perky feel at home. Every day he brushed her. He tried to fix her favorite foods. They took long walks day and night. Perky made sure they had the whole sidewalk to themselves. You look exhausted, said mother. Maybe taking care of a dog is too much work. Any dog I get will be easier than perky. Said Arthur. Word of Arthur's pet business got around. On Monday, the McMillans asked Arthur to watch their canary sunny. On Tuesday, pernella gave Arthur her ant farm. On Wednesday, the brain asked Arthur to take care of his frogs while he went on vacation. Best of all, on Thursday, the amazing Larry asked Arthur to keep cuddles, his trained boa constrictor. Pursuers were everywhere, until mother put her foot down. I want all these animals in the basement now, she ordered. By bedtime all the pets were downstairs, all except perky. Perky slept in Arthur's room. On Saturday, Buster asked Arthur to go to the movies. I can't, said Arthur. When I finish cleaning these cages, it will be feeding time. And anyway, it's Perky's last night with me and she seems sick. I don't want to leave her. Well, I bet you're happy today, said DW the next morning. You get rid of Perky and collect ten dollars. I can't believe it, said Arthur. But I'm going to miss Perky. Arthur, Mrs. Wood just called to say she's on her way over, said mother. Now wait here, Perky. Ordered Arthur. I'll go and get your leash. When Arthur went back into the kitchen, Perky was gone. Here Perky. Perky. Called Arthur, but Perky didn't come. She's not in the basement, called father. She's not in the backyard, said DW. She's lost, said Arthur. Uh oh, said DW. You're in big trouble. Arthur, Mrs. Wood is here, called mother. Hi Mrs. Wood, said DW. Guess what? Arthur lost Perky. My poor darling is lost. Ask Mrs. Wood. Don't worry, said father. Arthur's looking for her right now. Suddenly they heard a bark. Everybody come quick. Called Arthur. Look, said Arthur. Perky's had puppies. No wonder she's acting so strange, said Mrs. Wood. You've done a wonderful job taking care of Perky when she needed a friend the most. How can I ever thank you? A reward might be nice. Suggested DW. Just. Said mother. Here's the money I owe you, said Mrs. Wood. And how would you like to keep one of Perky's puppies as a special thank you? I'd love to. Said Arthur. If I'm allowed. Of course. Said mother. You've earned it. Wow. Said Arthur. Ten dollars in my very own puppy. I can't believe it. Neither can I. Said DW. Now you can finally pay back my seven dollars. Ch-ching. Winter cash register. The end.