Puppies on board

Summary: Mollie is used to waking to the sounds of water lapping against the hull of the houseboat she lives on, of seagulls squawking, rubber bumpers squeaking and boat engines roaring. One morning, however, she wakes to a strange, snuffly sound. On investigation, she finds that the noise comes from her dog Sheba's pen. To Mollie's amazement, where there was nothing the night before, there is now a heap of damp, squirming puppies which Sheba is busily licking and nuzzling. With eleven puppies on board, Mollie must pitch in and help with the cleaning and care of the brood. Mollie names all the puppies and writes about them to her father who is away at sea. She loves them all, but her special favourite is Wilbur, the smallest and weakest of the batch. Mollie must come up with a plan to find homes for the puppies, and it is brilliant one.