Echo Come Home

by Megan Rix

  ‘The next thing I want to teach Echo is how to deliver messages,’ Lenny said, as he handed Jake a soft, waterproof, zip-up wallet.

  Jake frowned at it. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘If I wanted to give you a message to say “Come and watch TV” or “It’s dinner time” or you wanted to send me a message like “Down in five minutes” or “What’s for dinner?”, Echo would be able to take the message to whoever you wanted and bring back their reply,’ Lenny said.

  ‘That’s amazing,’ Jake said. ‘Can he really learn to do that?’

  ‘Oh yes, and the rate he’s going I don’t think it’ll be long before he’s got it off pat,’ Lenny said, as the three of them headed over to the training room where Becca was waiting.

  The day whizzed past and, before Jake knew it, it was time to go home.

  Tony was playing football outside his house, but when he saw Jake he came running over.

  ‘How did it go with Echo?’ he wanted to know.

  The two boys walked on together, as Jake told him about all the things Echo was learning.

  ‘He’s so clever!’

  In no time at all they were standing outside Jake’s house.

  ‘This is where I live,’ Jake said.

  ‘Oh,’ said Tony. ‘Well, see you at school then.’

  As Tony started to head back, Jake called after him.

  ‘You can come in if you like.’

  And Tony grinned. ‘Could do, for a bit,’ he said.

  ‘Oh great, you’re home,’ Jake’s mum said, as he came in through the back door. ‘I bet you’re starving. How about some fish fingers?’ Then she saw Tony behind Jake. ‘Oh hello,’ she said, looking surprised.

  Tony nodded.

  ‘This is my friend Tony,’ Jake said. ‘Want some fish fingers, Tony?’

  ‘Um …’

  ‘We’ve got lots,’ Jake’s mum said. ‘You’re very welcome to have some if you’d like.’

  ‘OK then,’ Tony said.

  An hour later, Tony left as Ella’s dad drove up with Vicky and her friends.

  ‘Who was that just leaving?’ Vicky wanted to know, as she came through the front door with Ella and Meera. They’d been to the cinema for Meera’s birthday.

  ‘Jake’s friend Tony,’ Mum said, and Jake grinned at Vicky’s surprised face. It was nice to have a friend to eat fish fingers and talk about dogs with.

  CHAPTER 9

  The next Saturday morning Jake arrived at Helper Dogs only to find that he and Echo were going on a trip.

  ‘The dogs in training need to have experienced all different sorts of transport,’ Lenny said, as Jake stroked Echo. ‘As well as going to places like hospitals, libraries, shops and cinemas, they need to be comfortable going anywhere their owner might take them.’

  Echo looked over and wagged his tail at the new dog coming into the training centre.

  ‘This is Pippa,’ Becca said, as Echo sniffed at the twelve-year-old yellow Labrador and she sniffed back. ‘She’s a retired helper dog and she’s coming along with us for the day.’

  ‘Pippa will show Echo how he’s supposed to behave at the train station,’ Lenny told Jake while Becca went to get Echo’s assessment form. ‘It’s often much quicker to have an experienced dog show an inexperienced dog what to do than have a person try to show them what’s expected.’

  Pippa lay down on the ground and Echo picked up his giraffe toy and dropped it next to her. Then the little dog sat down beside the older one.

  ‘Although the dog’s ability to sound the alert is our priority, the dogs in training must also pass this social aspect of their training before they can be qualified,’ Lenny told Jake, as they watched the two dogs becoming friends. ‘Helper Dogs needs to be sure that the dog will remain calm in all sorts of different situations. When we’re training the puppies, we take them everywhere we can when they’re as young as possible. But for the rescue dogs it can be a lot harder.’

  ‘Why?’ Jake asked, as Echo nudged Pippa with his nose and then lay down.

  ‘Well, a little puppy will probably just accept going on a train as a normal thing to do – nothing to be scared of. But an older dog won’t see it like that.’

  ‘So how do they learn that there’s nothing to be frightened of?’ Jake asked.

  ‘We do it by not being scared ourselves. By acting like we’re not the least bit bothered, and the dog will take its cue from that. But you have to genuinely keep calm and not get all worked up, even if the dog is. Remember that they can feel if you’re tense down their lead.’

  ‘They can?’ Jake hadn’t thought of that.

  ‘So keep Echo on a loose lead so he knows there’s no reason to pull. Do you think you can manage all that?’

  Jake nodded. ‘Come on, Echo,’ he said, as they headed out of the Helper Dogs kennels with Pippa, Becca and Lenny.

  Echo trotted along beside Jake, looking up at him every now and again. But he was also very interested in all the smells along the way. Dogs who’d passed bushes and lamp posts, a cat hidden in a garden to the right, someone cooking curry to the left. The curry got a double sniff as it was a long time since Echo had tasted those delicious spices.

  With his tail held high, the little dog skipped up the steps, and in through the train-station doors that slid open automatically, without any sign of fear at all.

  ‘We should use the lift too,’ Lenny said. Lots of dogs were worried about going in lifts. At least for the first few times.

  Echo looked up at Jake and then back at the lift doors as they swished open.

  Pippa went in with Becca, and Lenny pressed the button to hold the doors open as Jake and Echo followed them in.

  ‘Good dog,’ Jake said, and he gave Echo a treat as they went out on to the platform on the other side.

  Echo gobbled the treat down and then looked up at Jake to see if there were any more. But, as the train roared along the platform, Echo cowered back and desperately tried to drag Jake into the lift. When Jake didn’t move, he barked at him to tell him they had to get away, but Jake still didn’t budge.

  ‘Tell him it’s OK,’ said Lenny.

  Echo whined because he knew it wasn’t OK. Not OK at all. His little body shook with fear and he wanted to run, but he couldn’t leave Jake. He looked over at the doors opening and slamming as people got on and off the train. And he tried to pull Jake away again.

  ‘It’s OK, Echo,’ Jake said.

  Pippa lay down on the platform as the train roared away and was soon no more than a distant speck. Time for a snooze.

  ‘How come she’s so calm?’ Jake asked Becca.

  Echo kept looking at where the train had disappeared to and then back at Jake. He pulled on his lead towards the lift.

  ‘No, Echo,’ said Jake.

  ‘Pippa’s been on lots of trains before because she used to be with someone who went to work in the city every day so she isn’t at all fazed by them,’ Becca said.

  Echo whined and licked Pippa’s face to try to wake her up when the next train raced along the platform without stopping.

  This one was even faster than the one before. Echo was absolutely terrified as the great roaring beast came charging into the station. He barked at Jake to warn him and pulled on his lead and put his paws on his legs. Jake accidentally dropped the lead and suddenly Echo was free. He was desperate to get away from the noise of the train hurtling towards them. The wind drag from it tore at his fur as he dived under a bench further along the platform and the train raced on without stopping.

  Lenny and Jake ran after the little dog.

  ‘It’s OK,’ Jake said, crouching down and looking under the bench. He picked up the end of Echo’s lead. Echo trembled with fear.

  The train had gone and the station was quiet so when Jake took hold of his lead Echo crept out.

  ‘There’s nothing to be frightened of,’ Jake told him.

  Echo licked his hand, but his tiny body still shook. Jake hugged the little dog just as Lenny was ab
out to tell him not to do so because it wouldn’t help him get over his fear.

  Lenny sighed. The transport part of the training was very important. It was one of the tests hearing helper dogs had to pass to become fully qualified.

  Jake kept a firm hold on Echo’s lead as the next train stopped on the platform and he lifted a trembling Echo up the steps because there was a gap between the platform and the train. Echo didn’t mind the train once he was on it and they only went to the next stop.

  ‘Here we are,’ Lenny said, as the train pulled in to the station a few minutes later.

  ‘What if he doesn’t pass the test?’ Jake said, looking down at his shoes.

  ‘No point worrying about that yet. Sometimes dogs seem to think things through after the training’s over for the day. I’ve often been surprised at them not being able to do something one day and then doing it perfectly the next!’

  ‘Was it my fault?’ Jake asked, swallowing hard.

  ‘What?’ Lenny asked.

  ‘That Echo got scared. Was it because I was scared for him and he sensed it down the lead?’ Jake said.

  Lenny shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Although him trying to protect you from what he saw as a dangerous, roaring beastie probably did make a difference. To his eyes it must’ve seemed like a landlocked Loch Ness monster was storming its way into the station.’

  When Jake got home, he found Vicky in the kitchen stirring a bowl. ‘What are you making?’ he asked her.

  ‘Treats for Echo,’ she said. ‘Cheese ones this time.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Jake said. He was really surprised that she was thinking of Echo. Maybe his little sister wasn’t such a pain after all. At least not always.

  ‘Why don’t you try using this to cut them out?’ Mum said, handing Vicky a small star cookie cutter.

  ‘Brilliant!’ Vicky said. ‘Because Echo is a star.’

  She gave Jake one to try once they were ready.

  ‘Nice and crunchy,’ he said, biting into the warm biscuit. ‘Echo’ll love them.’

  Jake didn’t tell his mum or Vicky, but he was really worried about Echo. If Echo didn’t pass all of the tests, then Jake wouldn’t be allowed to have him as his hearing dog. And that was just about the worst thing he could imagine.

  CHAPTER 10

  On Monday morning, Mum took a quick detour to Helper Dogs on the way to drop Jake and Vicky off at school.

  Lenny had just arrived and was getting out of his van when Jake came running over.

  ‘These are for Echo,’ he said, handing him the bag of cheesy biscuit stars. ‘My sister made them. They’re to help him with his train test today.’

  Jake wished he could go with Echo to the station again, but his mum wouldn’t let him have the day off school and he wasn’t sure that he would help by being there. Echo seemed to be as worried that the train would hurt Jake as he was worried that it would hurt him.

  ‘Thank you,’ Lenny said. ‘We’ll see you later and don’t worry – we’ll give him every chance we can.’

  ‘I know.’ Jake swallowed hard. It was impossible not to be anxious. There wasn’t time to see Echo now, but he’d be back after school.

  Everyone was heading in to class by the time they got to school and Vicky and Jake ran across the playground and went inside.

  ‘Hope he likes my treats,’ Vicky said.

  ‘He will,’ Jake grinned.

  Jake couldn’t think of anything besides Echo. All day long he worried about how the little dog was getting on. Was Pippa there to help him? Had he tried to run away from the train again? Lenny had said Echo would be allowed another two tries. If he still ran away after the third attempt, he would fail.

  ‘Jake …’ Miss Dawson said, and he looked up to find her standing right in front of him with a puzzled expression on her face.

  ‘Yes, miss?’

  ‘Everything all right?’

  Jake blinked. Why was she asking him that?

  He nodded. ‘Why?’

  And then he looked around. Everyone else had already left the classroom for the day and he hadn’t even noticed. He grabbed his school bag and hurried out after them.

  A crowd of children had collected at the gates and as Jake walked towards them he saw Lenny. What was he doing at school? Then he realized that if Lenny was there then Echo probably was too and he started running.

  Not only was Echo there, but Pippa and Becca were as well.

  ‘What’s his name?’ the children asked Lenny.

  ‘Why’s he got that coat on?’

  ‘Because he’s a hearing dog in training,’ Lenny told them. He was wondering if it was such a good idea to bring Echo to the school. The little dog didn’t look happy.

  As the children crowded round him and tried to stroke him, the little dog backed away from them and hid behind Lenny’s legs. As Lenny had suspected, Echo was a one-boy dog.

  ‘Echo!’ gasped Jake, when he reached them, and Echo immediately came out from behind Lenny’s legs, his tail wagging with delight.

  ‘We thought we’d bring him to see you after the test as a special treat,’ Lenny said.

  ‘How did he get on?’ Jake asked, as Echo nuzzled into him for a stroke.

  ‘Not quite there yet,’ Lenny said. ‘But closer than he was.’ And he smiled at Jake.

  ‘Good.’

  ‘He’s in training,’ Becca explained to the other children who wanted to pet Echo. ‘It’s best if you don’t stroke him when he’s working. You can stroke Pippa though.’

  The truth was Echo wasn’t the least bit interested in any of the other children. The little dog didn’t even seem to notice anyone else now that Jake had come.

  Vicky and her friends were watching. Jake looked so happy with the dog, happier than Vicky had ever seen him.

  ‘Let’s go and say hello to the dogs,’ her friend Amanda said.

  But Vicky shook her head. This was her brother’s moment.

  CHAPTER 11

  Jake’s dad came home unexpectedly on Friday evening just before the long weekend. Jake and Vicky told him all about what Echo had been up to.

  ‘He’s so amazing,’ Jake said. ‘You’ll love him when you meet him, Dad.’

  ‘He does sound pretty amazing,’ his dad agreed.

  ‘I made him some cheese dog treats,’ Vicky told him. ‘Echo really liked them.’

  ‘Good for you,’ Dad said. He was pleased that Vicky and Jake seemed to be getting on better. ‘I can’t wait to meet him.’ Echo certainly did seem to be making a difference and Jake was so much happier.

  ‘I haven’t even met him properly yet,’ Vicky grumbled. ‘Although I’ve been to Helper Dogs, but only for a few seconds, and even then I had to wait in the car.’

  ‘You will soon,’ Mum said, but she didn’t say any more after a look from Dad.

  They had pizza for dinner and Dad told them all about his latest drive across Europe.

  ‘We didn’t think you were coming home for another week,’ Jake said, and caught a glance between his mum and dad.

  ‘Finished the job early,’ his dad told him, as he took another pizza slice.

  ‘When do you have to leave again?’ Jake asked. He missed his dad a lot when he was away, even though he could call or text him whenever he wanted.

  ‘Monday morning.’

  ‘That’s not long!’ said Vicky.

  ‘No, so we’d better make the most of it,’ Dad said.

  And Jake, who was always super alert, caught the half-wink his dad gave his mum. Something was definitely going on, but he had no idea what.

  The next morning his dad came into his room, followed by his mum.

  ‘This came in the post for you,’ his dad said, and he dropped an envelope on Jake’s bed.

  ‘For me?’ Jake said, as he picked it up. He didn’t know who could be sending him a letter. But there wasn’t one inside the envelope: it was an invitation.

  Dear Jake and Family,

  Helper Dogs is delighted to inform you th
at Echo has passed the final part of his hearing dog training test and will be receiving his coat on Saturday morning. We are pleased to invite you to a small award ceremony after which he will be allowed to accompany you home …

  ‘He did it!’ Jake shouted, as he punched his fist into the air. Echo was a hearing dog and not only that he was going to be Jake’s hearing dog.

  ‘What’s happened?’ Vicky said, coming into his room and jumping on the bed.

  Jake showed her the invitation and she squealed. ‘I can’t believe we can bring him home!’

  ‘But it’s Saturday today …’ he said, looking from his mum to his dad and back again. They were both smiling.

  And then he realized what that look between them the night before had been about.

  ‘You knew!’ he said.

  That was why his dad had finished his job early, so he could see Echo graduate.

  ‘I didn’t want to miss it, did I?’ his dad said, and he ruffled Jake’s hair.

  ‘But what about the waiting list?’ Jake said.

  ‘Lenny said Helper Dogs’ first priority is to their animals. You and Echo have such a special bond that he’d never be happy with anyone else,’ his dad said.

  Jake was grinning so hard that his face was aching.

  ‘When they came to your school, Lenny said that it was clear Echo only really wanted to be with you,’ Jake’s mum told him.

  ‘That’s true,’ Vicky said, remembering the other children crowding round Echo, but Echo only having eyes for her brother.

  ‘Breakfast in ten minutes,’ Jake’s mum smiled, as Jake flopped back on the bed, clasping the invite to his chest.

  This was the best day ever.

  When Jake and his family arrived at the centre, they found Jasper in Echo’s kennel but no Echo.

  ‘Where is he?’ Jake asked Becca.

  ‘You’ll see him at the ceremony,’ Becca smiled.

  Jasper came over to Vicky for a stroke and then the cat followed them as Becca led them over to one of the rooms in the Helper Dog centre where Lenny was waiting.

  Vicky gave a squeal of delight when Jasper jumped up on to her lap and lay there, purring.