Samantha was walking home from school, no different than usual. She passed the shelter and never usually paid any attention to it. Well, until now that is. This time something caught her eye. Samantha peered through the icy window. Before her eyes were rows and rows of cages which is the part that Samantha just could not stand! Samantha wished that all the animals could have a warm home, a fluffy bed next to a fire and best of all a loving owner who could care and pour their heart into. "Wow," Samantha thought that really would be great. But quite unlikely for no one ever came around people look at this shelter as a home for animals with problems. Not true.

"Oh no!" Samantha suddenly realized that it was five thirty seven! School had let out at three thirty! Mom must be worried sick. Or worse... mad. Samantha rushed home, she ran so fast that the wind whistled loudly in her red, numb ears.  Brrrr. She swung the door open only to see her Mom wearing an ugly scowl. Not a good sign at all. It only took Samantha a couple seconds to realize that she was in trouble... big trouble.

"Mom, I can explain I swear! I just got a little sidetracked and.. well you know it wa-" But Mom cut Samantha off before she could say anything else. "I expect to come home to a warm home with a warm supper on the table! Do you not realize how hard I work all day! Instead I come home to a cold house and a bratty daughter! How do you think I feel? Well!"

Samantha's Mom screamed "Sorry Mom, I really am just-"

"I don't want any excuses! Where have you been and what have you been doing?"  "Mom, I was walking home. What else? You know the road was not in the best shape today..."    "Don't you tell me lies young lady! Tell. Me. The. Truth."  Samantha's Mom yelled fuming with rage. "Shelter" Samantha said. "Excuse me?"    "Well you know Mom, the one down the road and to the left. And well you know I felt somewhat bad for them. It's mean to lock them up you know. They don't have a proper home, or well... life!" Samantha yelled.

"Oh Samantha, I couldn't agree more it is very sad. But you know that one day a nice, happy owner will come "Oh this one is cute!"  "Awww.... I want him!" And sooner or later all of the animals will have a happy home!" Said Samantha's Mom. "But Mom! That's gonna take like... I dunno probably a million years at least! We gotta do more. Gotta do BIG." Said Samantha. "No 'buts' Miss it's edging toward seven o'clock and were both starving so lets fix ourselves some dinner than you take a bath and get to bed."     " 'Kay Mom. Love you." Said Samantha dashing upstairs. Once she hit the pillow she was out like a light.

Samantha awoke with a start. She had slept like a rock! Opp, there go the birds chirping right on cue! Samantha jumped down the stairs, possibly skipping a few. Come on. Its Saturday the day when no one or nothing can stop you!

Samantha skipped into the kitchen and made a good hearty breakfast of two big pancakes. Yay! As I'm sure you've noticed Samantha is a go getter and will not stop for anything until she reaches her goal! Samantha then ran upstairs as fast as her legs could take her. Once she reached the top of the stairs she stopped to take a breath. A short one of course. Then Samantha burst into her Mom's room and sprung onto the bed. "Mom can get a pet from the shelter? Can I! Earth to Mom!" Then Samantha's Mom woke with a startled expression on her wrinkled face. "Wow, Samantha. Number one: Get off. number two: No way." Said Samantha's Mom annoyance in her voice.

“Wait what! Why! If you want to make a difference you gotta make an effort. People are not gonna do that for you!” Yelled Samantha looking on the verge of tears. “Listen Samantha, there are many people who will get many pets and try to help the animals. But listen Samantha, the truth is it's not gonna change anything. No matter what you do there will always be more animals being put in cages without a proper life! Face it you cannot do it.”

“Mom I cannot believe you just said that! You gotta believe you gotta try if you just sit back and let someone do it for you, then you're correct it's not gonna make a difference. But the thing is as long as you're part of the group that tries and makes an effort it could take you a long way. Just try, think, we CAN.” Samantha said fire dancing in her eyes.

“Oh Samantha, I believe you it's just… we don't have that money, we can barely even afford this house, I'm stressed please Samantha I wish you could listen, you have good friends and a house. But a pet, I'm sorry we just don't have enough. You can have pet when pigs fly." Said Samantha's Mom.

“Oh Mom I am really sorry I didn't mean it in that way. Love you, sorry for being greedy. Also I will try to help you with that money situation.” Said Samantha “Thanks Sweetie, love you too.” And with that Samantha rushed out of the room without another word.

It would be Samantha's choice where she went and what she did, not her Moms. And you know what Samanatha was gonna do now? Go to the shelter. Nothing will stop her. Samantha walked outside and gulped in the fresh air, always great. As she walked down the deserted street she felt a surge of fear, the feeling of someone… when they are watching you.

Finally as Samantha opened the door of the shelter warm air flooded out making Samantha feel quite comfortable. As she walked in she couldn't help thinking about how nobody understood her. How her passion could take her somewhere, good or bad. Samantha was having second thoughts now, maybe she should just go home her Mom could be right. At that moment Samantha felt useless like a big nothing in the middle of big everythings. No. Samantha thought you are about to make a difference, just try.

As she stepped into the shelter the lights were dim and there were many animals. She quickly walked to the front desk. “Hi, I uh…” Samantha said.

 “What do you want, kid? Do you have a parent?” Said a

woman gruffly. She had blond scraggly hair and quite a bad attitude. “No, I'm alone. Just wondering if-”   “Sorry you need a parent. Please go. You're welcome for my service. Ta-ta!” said the woman so rudely it made Samantha partly want to leave and never come back. But she didn't. She stayed there, her feet seemed glued to the floor. Something had to be good out of this trip?

“Oh my! Georgina do not let this nice young lady leave. I thought I told you to be kind to customers. Clearly you're ignoring me! I'm so sorry mam we will be right back, we've got a little matter to discuss.” Said a woman with chocolate brown hair, cherry red lipstick and a joyful beautiful face. They both walked through a door and Samantha heard a little yelling and she waited… and waited and finally, after what seemed like an hour she came out with an exhausted expression on her face.

“Well?” She said, smiling down at Samantha “Oh… I uh- was wondering if I could do anything to help these little critters, I mean if I'm too young that's okay I was just…” Samantha said “Say no more! I know the perfect job for you! All the perfect qualities, kindness, responsibility and probably much more! Then again that would mean feeding them, caring for them and dedicating a lot of your heart and time to them. What do you think about volunteering?” Said the lady “You know what I think? Yes.” Said Samantha smiling greatly. “Oh by the way my name is Grace and I’m the owner. Sorry about Georgina, she was well… you know.” Said Grace

“When will I do it?” Wondered Samantha aloud “Oh anytime you feel will work for you it really doesn't matter as long as you come each day for at least a half hour!” Grace smiled “If that works of course.” Grace said “Yes thank you Miss. Grace, it sounds perfect.” And with that Samantha said bye and thank you and rushed home she had a massive grin the whole way there.When Samantha arrived home she realized that her Mom was waiting looking amused and annoyed at the same time. “Where were you now? You got me worried for the second time in two days!” Said Samantha's Mom.

“I took a stroll in the park.” Said Samantha trying to hold in all her grins. “Last time you said that you were at the shelter. Wait a second! You were at the shelter weren't you! I do not want to start this again. This is the LAST time no more shelter. And that is that.” Said Samantha's Mom “But Mom! I seriously did not go just a morning stroll, a girl needs fresh air too you know.” Samantha said. More lies. Samantha felt a twinge of guilt. “It is for a good cause,” Samantha reminded herself.

Finally Monday arrived and the morning gloom was worse than usual, but then Samantha realized that she was gonna go to the shelter after school today. “Bye Mom!” Samantha called rushing out the door. The day at school went by like nothing at all, ELA, History, Math, Science, Social Studies, and a couple other classes. Right as the bell rang Samantha rushed outside. As she rushed for the animal shelter she couldn't tell if she was nervous or excited or both! Finally Samantha reached the doors of the shelter, whew! Samantha rushed to the front desk to have a warm greeting by Grace. “Hello Sweetie, here to volunteer?” Said Grace “Yes good and good!” Samantha was relieved to see Grace. “Well Miss come on back I will show you around.” Said Grace

“Well here you are Sweetie you can play with them as long as you wish, till midnight! Also I must warn you after it gets dark lots of people will try to break in, happens a lot. That area, you know.”Said Grace “Yes thank you.” Said Samantha, wearing a happy expression crossed with a determined expression.Samantha played with those little ones for hours! They were so gentle, some even a little bit sad. As weeks passed Samantha went daily, loving them, feeding them and caring for them. “Samantha! You are a miracle these animals hate me and you… well you're like their mom! Sorta.” Said Grace walking in “Thanks, you gotta pour your heart into them. Otherwise they can tell when you are not interested in them or wishing for other things to do.”