Mush, a Dog from Space - Daniel Manus Pinkwater

This Pinkwater classic is now in the Ready-For-Chapters format with brand- new illustrations. Kelly Mangiaro has always wanted a dog, but she gets more than she bargained for with Mush, who can talk, tell time, and cook up a storm. And why not? She's a mushamute from the planet Growf-Woof-Woof, in the solar system of Arfturus--and she's just what Kelly needs. LASSIE, GO HOME -- MUSH IS HERE! Now that Kelly Mangiaro's family has moved out of their apartment into a house, she figures her parents will finally let her get a dog. Instead, her mother gets a job, and Kelly gets a baby-sitter. Then Kelly comes upon Mush, a mushamute -- a breed not recognized by the Westminster Kennel Club, or by anyone else for that matter, possibly because mushamutes come from the planet Growf-Woof-Woof, in the solar system of Arfturus. Mushamutes can talk, tell time, cook up a storm, and even clean up the kitchen afterwards. Who needs a baby-sitter when there's a mushamute around? Now if only Kelly can persuade her parents to let her keep Mush....