Sixth grader Gaby Ramirez Howard loves spending her free time volunteering at the local animal shelter. She plays with the abandoned kittens, helps obedience train the energetic dogs, and writes heartfelt adoption advertisements to help these strays find their forever homes. Lately, Gaby has been feeling like a bit of a stray herself. Her mother was recently deported to Honduras, leaving Gaby stuck living with her deeply inattentive father. Gaby holds onto the confident hope that her mother will return soon so they can finally adopt her favorite shelter cat together and be a real family again. But when the cat's original owners suddenly turn up at the shelter to claim their pet, Gaby's perfectly planned future begins to unravel. You will feel Gaby's heartbreak and resilience as she navigates an incredibly difficult family separation while continuing to pour her love into the animals who need her. This touching story explores the deep bond between humans and their pets, the true meaning of home, and the strength it takes to keep hoping when everything falls apart.