Help Needed

"I'm done trying to be nice to Beck!" Karsten told his mom. "He's so mean! When I asked if he wanted to be my lab partner in science today, he laughed and said he wouldn't be caught dead with a--well, I won't repeat what he called me." Karsten wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "I was just trying to reach out to him because he doesn't have any friends. Now I know why--he doesn't want any!"

Mom was about to respond when a sharp yip followed by a howl of pain came from outside.

"That's Mitsy!" Karsten shot out the back door. He found his puppy crouched on the ground, her paw caught underneath the fence. Every time she moved, a sharp barb of wire jabbed her flesh. Karsten knelt beside her and reached for the trapped paw.

"Gr-r-r-r!" Mitsy growled, baring her teeth.

Karsten drew back in surprise. "Mitsy! Why are you growling at me? I only want to help you."

The puppy growled again as Mom knelt beside them and reached for Mitsy's paw. "Hold her head, Karsten, and talk to her g