Jane and Peter live in a comfortable small house with their mother and father. They often play together in their back yard. When they were small, they had two pet Guinea Pigs. When the Guinea Pigs died, they cried, although Peter pretended not to cry by turning away and covering his face. But because they were so sad their father promised them that next Christmas he would take them to get a dog or a cat – provided they promised to look after it properly!

Finally the day arrives when Jane and Peter are taken by their father to the RSPCA animal sanctuary.