As we pulled into the driveway, I made a real effort to forget all about the disturbing events of the day. I just didn't want to think about the note, or what it might mean, for awhile.

    Fortunately, Becca had something besides The Sleeping Beauty on her mind that evening. The minute I came into the house, she came flying down the stairs, waving a piece of paper in the air.

    "Why didn't you tell me?" she yelled happily. "1 can't believe you kept this a secret." "Tell you what?" I asked. I really didn't know what she was talking about. "What secret?" "The pet show!" she shrieked. "It's going to be great!" I'd forgotten all about it. "Let's see the invitation," I said. Becca handed it to me, and I unfolded it.

    CALLING ALL KIDS! it said, in big red letters. Each of the letters had little animals climbing all over it - puppies and kittens and monkeys and all kinds of other beasts. Claudia is so talented.

    The reason it said "all kids" instead of "pet owners" was that we'd decided to invite all of our regular customers - whether they had pets or not. That way, a kid like Jamie Newton, who doesn't have a pet, could still come to the show and have fun.

    Underneath the headline were more pictures of animals, and then the information about the pet show: where it was going to be held, and when, and what kinds of pets could be entered. ("Bring your goldfish! Bring your pony! Bring any pet you have!") Becca was nearly beside herself. "It came in the mail today, Jessi!" she cried. "It had my name on it! I'm invited!" I didn't want to spoil things by telling her that every one was invited. "That's great, Becca," I said. "A pet show will be fun, won't it?" She nodded. Then her smile faded.

    "But we don't have a pony. We don't even" have a dog! All we have is Misty." She looked worried.

    "Misty's a great pet," I said. "She's friendly, and clean, and she knows her name - " "But she's just a hamster," said Becca.