Chapters 6 & 7 Summary

The voice of Chapter 6, Cruelty to Animals (Little Shep, 1964) is Sidda's younger brother, ten-year-old Little Shep. He loves his family's three large dogs, but feels sorry for Miss Peppy, the miniature poodle that belongs to his grandmother, Buggy. Little Shep thinks that even yappy little dogs should be treated with some respect. His father Big Shep says that Buggy is making the dog as crazy as she made her daughter. When Miss Peppy loses her first litter of puppies and must be spayed, Buggy gives the dog some baby dolls as a substitute. Eventually, Buggy is able to teach Miss Peppy to carry the dolls like puppies and cover them with a blanket, like a human mother.

One Saturday Buggy is babysitting all four Walker children while their mother goes shopping in Lafayette with her friends. If the children misbehave, Buggy tells them...