Tate has always wanted a dog, so when the skinny stray wanders into her yard one October, she's determined to keep it. She names the dog Sable because of her dark, silky coat. But when Sable proves to be too much to handle - always wandering off and returning with things that belong to the neighbors - both Mam and Pap agree the dog has to go, and Sable is given away to a doctor in a another town. Tate's anger at losing her dog turns to single-mindedness - she'll do whatever it takes to prove to her parents how important it is for her to get Sable back. An unsentimental, satisfying animal story featuring strong prose and a compassionate, capable young girl as protagonist make this a noteworthy transitional reader. (Ages 8-11)