Page 16 - How Sophie Grumble Guts Got Her Name

A lovely kind lady came to the shelter and was taken to Sophie’s kennel.

“Oh Sweetheart” she said. “Have you given up? I’m going to take you

home and see whether we can cheer you up a little.” “You’re not my

owner” thought Sophie. “Where’s Ethel – I want to go home with Ethel”.

The kind lady bundled Sophie up and took her out to the car. Sophie
had no idea where she was going now or what was happening in her life.

The house she was taken to was very comfortable and cosy and a
number of dogs and cats were living there along with a whole family of

people. Sophie had only ever lived in a

quiet home with one person

before and felt intimidated and

anxious about where she found
herself now. Although the people

were nice to her, she was

overwhelmed with everything and
half of her hair fell out from

being constantly anxious.

She determined that she

couldn’t let anyone know how

frightened and anxious she was
and needed them all to think she

was tough and could take care of

herself – so she grumbled at

anyone who came near her or

tried to get her to do anything
new. When she could, she’d
sneak off and hide in the

wardrobe, falling asleep under

the clothes – because she felt
safer here – without so many

people and other animals to deal
with.