Read Look at Lucy! for Free Online

Bobby said.
    Lucy heard her name and turned around.
    “Everyone likes hearing about Lucy,” Bobby added.
    “So have you thought any more about the contest?” Mrs. Quinn asked.
    Bobby nodded. “I think we should go.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes,” Bobby said. “This is a big chance for Lucy. I don’t want to spoil it for her. She likes to be the center of attention. I don’t. But today, it wasn’t too bad. I think I could be in those commercials if Lucy wins.”
    Mrs. Quinn gave Bobby a hug. “You’re getting so brave, Bobby.”
    Lucy barked. She agreed.

And the Winner Is…
    “W ow!” Bobby said. He looked around the park. It was across from the state capitol building.
    Everything here was bigger and better than the contest at the mall. Candy-colored Pet-O-Rama banners decorated the park. Instead of an accordion player, there was a band. A television crew was taping the event. Even the animals were different.
    “These guys look like they belong in a zoo, not a pet store,” Mr. Quinn said.
    A couple of cats and dogs were there, but they were the fancy kind, like the fluffy white Persian kitten in her owner’s arms.

    There were also more exotic pets. One turtle was so big he had to be pulled in a wagon. A large green and blue parrot rested on someone’s arm. Bobby spied something even more colorful. “Look!”
    A peacock next to an older lady spread its fan of beautiful blue and green feathers. Lucy seemed stunned at the display. She didn’t even bark.
    “Lions and tigers and bears. Oh my,” Mr. Quinn said.
    There weren’t any lions or tigers or bears around. Bobby knew that was just a line from the movie
The Wizard of Oz
.
    Bobby whispered to Lucy, “You’re cuter than any of these animals.” He was still nervous about being in a TV commercial, but he also still thought Lucy should win.
    Before very long, Bobby and Lucy were given a number. The woman in charge of the contest lined up all the pets and owners. Bobby and Lucy were behind the turtle. They were in front of the parrot.
    Each pet and owner stopped and talkedto the judges. The judges asked lots of questions. They looked at the animals carefully. It took a long time.
    Lucy was getting bored. When she got bored, she got jumpy. She started pulling toward the white kitten, which was behind the parrot. Bobby wondered if the cat reminded her of Mrs. Agatha Adams’s cat, Ginger.
    “Calm down, Lucy,” Bobby said. “No cat chasing today. Please.”
    Finally it was Lucy’s turn.
    “Hello,” said a judge with gray hair. His name tag said, greg smith, president, pet-o-rama.
    Bobby gulped. He had never talked to a president before.
    “Tell us about Lucy,” Mr. Smith said.
    “Lucy’s the best dog ever,” Bobby began softly. Then he remembered to speak up likewhen he gave his report. Bobby tried to talk more loudly.
    He told the judge how he got Lucy for his birthday, and how she was his best friend.
    A lady judge asked Bobby, “Would you enjoy being in a television commercial, Bobby?”
    Enjoy?
“Ah, I think Lucy would like it,” he answered honestly.
    The judges spent a lot of time looking at Lucy. Lucy did her little prancy dance.
    The lady judge thanked Bobby. He and Lucy were about to move on when he heard a squawk behind him. “PET-O-RAMA! RWWK! PET-O-RAMA!”
    Bobby whirled around. It was the parrot. Lucy let loose with a howl, but Bobby could see the judges’ eyes light up with interest.
    “I think I know who the winner is goingto be,” Mrs. Quinn said. She was waiting for Bobby at the end of the line.
    She didn’t mean Lucy.
    Sure enough, when the judges named the winner, it was Poll the Parrot.
    “She is very beautiful,” Mr. Smith said. He added happily, “And she can tell people to shop at Pet-O-Rama in her own special way.”
    Bobby and his parents got ready to go back home.
    “I’m sorry you didn’t win, Lucy,” Bobby said when they were in the car.
    “It’s hard to beat a parrot that’s squawking