Fran Manushkin - Katies Vet Loves Pets

Meow! Meow! Meow!

A kitten was crying. Katie saw her hiding under a bush.

The kitten was alone.

You need a home, said Katie. When Dad comes back from work, Ill ask him what to do.

Katies friends skated by. She told them, This cat needs a home.

I already have two cats, said JoJo.

I have a dog, said Pedro. My dad is to cats.

I want a big fluffy poodle, said Haley. But my mom says six kids are enough for one small house.

When Katies dad came home from work, he said, This kitten is very sick. She may die. We cant take home a sick kitten.

Katie asked her dad, Can we take her to the vet? Dr. Wong saved Pedros dog when he was sick.

All right, said Katies dad. Lets try.

Dr. Wongs waiting room was filled with pets.

Miss Winkle was holding her dog, Twinkle. He comes for his shots every year.

Katies friend Barry was with his .

Zorba is sick, Barry said. He hasnt been eating his broccoli. Zorba loves broccoli!

Roddy was with his parrot, Rocky.

Im worried, said Roddy. Rocky stopped talking. He always has something to say!

Katie and her dad went in to see Dr. Wong. He picked up the kitten.

He looked in her ears and her eyes and her mouth.

You came just in time, said Dr. Wong. This kitten has a bad to help her feel better.

Dr. Wong told Katie, You must give your kitten medicine every day.

Katie looked at her dad. Is she my kitten?

Yes! Her dad smiled.

Yay! Katie hugged her dad.

Dr. Wong told her, Your kitten should be feeling in a week or two.

Peachy! said Katie. Thats a perfect name!

A very cool name, agreed her dad. Shes the same color as a peach.

Dr. Wong said, Some pets do not get well. They are too sick or old. That makes me sad. But most of the time, my job makes me happy.

Katie told him, I hope you can help my friends dog and parrot and iguana.

Ill try, said Dr. Wong. I love all the animals.

Katie told her friends, Meet my new kitten, Peachy.

Peachy! Peachy! PEACHY! said Roddys parrot.

You are talking! yelled Roddy. You are not sick!

Katie took good care of Peachy. Every day she gave Peachy medicine and food and lots of love.

Peachy got better and better. So did Barrys iguana.

Roddys parrot could not stop talking!

Katie could not stop talking too. She told her friends, Dr. Wong will always help us keep our pets well.

And he did!

1. What traits make a good veterinarian? Would you like to be a vet? Why or why not?
2. Katie and her friends were careful not to touch the kitten at the start of the book. Why do you think that is?
3. The vet says that the kitten will be peachy after taking her medicine for a while. Peachy is a way to say something is very good. Write a sentence using the word peachy this way.
4. Make a list of characters and their pets that are mentioned in the story. Which pet would you most like to have? Why?
5. Compare vets and doctors. How are they the same? How are they different?