Cole’s Puppy is a 15,190-word Christian novel, professionally edited, geared toward young readers 8-12

who love animals, especially dogs. The story revolves around Cole and his younger brother Caleb and
their new-found friend Rachel.

At the mall pet store, Cole falls in love with a golden retriever puppy named Scarlet. When Scarlet
“escapes” the pet store and runs through the mall, Cole helps capture her. The pet store owner offers
Cole a part-time, after-school job taking care of dogs at the store.

Cole vows to save up his earnings to buy Scarlet. In the meantime, Cole and Caleb find a new pet under
the Christmas tree – a pot-belied pig. This is Cole’s gift from his uncle Bobby.

Cole meets Rachel at the mall, where she is doing her homework in the food court. Rachel’s mother
works at a mall restaurant and they live in a trailer in the parking lot. Rachel’s father was killed in Iraq,
and she and her mother were forced out of their house. Caleb is a classmate of Rachel, but avoids her
because other boys in school tease her for her wrinkled clothes.

Rachel tells Cole and Caleb that she loves cats. When the pet store acquires three kittens, Rachel is a
regular visitor who takes a liking to one of the kittens, a calico, she names Miss Calico.

Rachel, a Christian, tells Cole about Jesus and His love for the world. Cole listens and thinks about it.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of close calls at the pet store. A lady wants to buy Scarlet. Scarlet has
other ideas and grabs her purse and takes off through the store. Cole catches her. The lady decides the
puppy is too rambunctious and buys two of the kittens instead. Miss Calico, however, is not one of
them. Cole uses his savings to buy the kitten for Rachel, which means he must postpone buying Scarlet.

Cole and Caleb’s parents are photographers on assignment in Egypt, where there are demonstrations
and street violence. When they lose contact with them, Cole and Caleb pray for their parents’ safety.
Cole is moved and accepts Jesus into his heart. Their prayers are answered. Their parents are safe in
Greece and will shortly return home.

Caleb stands up for Rachel when another boy taunts her. Rachel and her mother will leave shortly for
California where she will live with her grandmother.

Caleb buys the pig from Cole so he has enough money to purchase Scarlet. However, they are shocked
to learn that the pet store has closed. He, Caleb and Rachel rush to the store, only to find it empty.
They pray for the safety of the dogs and that they find good homes. The dogs will go up for auction with
the rest of the store’s property.

Cole and Caleb’s parents return to the states. On the way home from the airport, they announce that
they must attend an important meeting. Unknown to Cole and Caleb, the “meeting” is the auction
where the pet store’s dogs will be auctioned off. Cole’s father is high bidder on Scarlet – Cole’s perfect
puppy.