Rescuing Finley (A Forever Home Novel Book 1)

by Dan Walsh

  Chris opened the door for her and Finley, then followed them as they walked to the picnic tables.

  Chris didn’t like the sound of that, but he liked what he saw just before they’d left the room. The other two vets—his competition—were both talking with the trainer and the pit. Maybe he’d get lucky, and they’d battle it out for him instead of Finley.

  Chris sat on the bench seat. “I gotta say, that was pretty impressive. Watching you and Finley the last thirty minutes. Really, watching all the dogs. But especially you guys. I’ve never seen so many dogs so well-trained.”

  Amy sat on the tabletop. Finley sat in front of her. “Thanks. Sometimes I can’t believe it myself, that I’m actually doing this. A couple of months ago, when I got here, I couldn’t imagine ever being able to get it all down.”

  Chris reached over and pet Finley’s neck and back. “You’ve only been in here two months?”

  “Not in the prison, I mean in this program. I’ve been in here a little over two years.”

  “You’ve only been training dogs for two months?” Chris was curious about what had gotten her sent to prison, but he’d never ask something like that.

  Amy nodded. “Some of the other trainers have been doing it for years. They really helped me out a lot. And I’ve had some books to read and watched some videos. And of course, Miss Bridget and the other trainers who run the program, they’re really great teachers.”

  “Well, whatever they’re doing, it’s obviously working.”

  “Thanks. But I’ve gotta give most of the credit to Finley. He makes me look good.”

  “Do you mind if I ask…how much longer will you be in here?”

  “This is my third and final year. They’re refiguring my gain time. That’s the time they shave off your sentence for good behavior and other positive things. Like being in this program. I’m supposed to hear back something pretty soon. I’m hoping they’ll say it’s closer to six months.”

  “That won’t be too long,” Chris said. “Have any plans for…after?”

  “Not really. Obviously, I’m going to need to start my life over. I won’t really have any friends or family waiting for me when I get out. That’s probably a good thing. At least the friends part. Hanging around them is what got me put in here.”

  He was interested in hearing more but didn’t want to cross the line. He knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of someone’s overactive curiosity.

  “So, are you thinking you might like to have Finley?”

  Chris looked right at Finley’s eyes. Finley returned the gaze, then licked him on the nose.

  “Finley,” Amy said.

  “I don’t mind. To answer your question, I’m definitely interested in Finley. I’ve been having a pretty hard time since I got out. It’s not just the leg, but more so the PTSD issue.”

  “The leg?”

  Chris was surprised she didn’t know. He reached down and pulled up his pant leg, revealing the prosthetic limb, then tapped on it. “Stepped on a mine in Afghanistan.”

  “I’d never have guessed the way you walk.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” he said. “That’s been my goal, trying to get to a place where I’m not limping anymore.”

  “I’d say you’ve arrived.”

  “Thanks. But if you hung around me often, you’d see how far I still have to go. But I am making progress, and I’m grateful for that. Have you ever met anyone struggling with PTSD?”

  “Not personally,” she said. “You’re probably the first active-duty soldier I’ve ever talked with. Thanks for your service, by the way. I should’ve said that right up front.”

  “That’s okay. But you’re welcome.”

  “I did study up on it a little, as part of our training. We know many of the dogs are probably going to guys with PTSD. I watched a few videos of guys talking about what it’s like. It sounds pretty awful. I can’t even imagine. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. If you hung around me more often, you’d see how often I put my foot in my mouth.”

  Chris laughed. “I’m not offended. You’re right, it is pretty awful. When it flares up anyway. It doesn’t affect me all the time. Seems like it’s been getting worse as time goes on, though, not better. I hate taking the drugs they give you. They help some, but I don’t like the side effects.” He was petting Finley the whole time he talked. Just now, Finley rested his head on Chris’s lap.

  “Would you look at that?” Amy said. “I’ve never seen him do that with anyone else but me.”

  “Really?” Chris said.

  “Nope. And he didn’t start doing that with me until we were friends for almost a week.”

  “He’s an amazing animal,” Chris said. “I thought for sure I’d get in some trouble coming here, with my PTSD I mean. Usually do when I get with a lot of strangers in confined places. But I don’t know, somehow with Finley here, I’m feeling just the opposite. As calm as can be.”

  He thought of something else, how easy it was to talk to Amy. She didn’t make him nervous at all.

  Amy slid off the tabletop, down to the bench and sat beside Chris.

  “What’s the next step from here?” he asked. “Because I definitely want to find out. I would absolutely love to have this dog.”

  “You’ll interview with Miss Bridget. She’ll give you some forms to fill out to make sure you’re able to provide a good home for a dog. Not just for Finley, but any dog in the program.”

  “I’ve got my own place. It’s only a twenty minute drive from here.”

  “That’s good. Then, of course, there’s matching you up with the right dog. It’s not totally my call, and the other two vets might need to spend some time with him. If they want to, that is. But I’d say things are looking pretty good with you and Finley. He certainly seems to have made up his mind.”

  Hearing that made Chris feel even better than he already did.

  “Uh-oh,” Amy said. “Looks like we’ve got company.”

  Chris looked up, then tensed up a little. The two veterans who were looking at the brindle pit were headed this way.

  38

  Amy stood. It was her job to be polite and friendly. But she didn’t really want to be. Chris was the guy. If she had to let go of Finley to anyone, it would be him. And look, Finley had already chosen him.

  The taller of the two men spoke first. “You Amy? Captain Bridget said we were supposed to talk with you. Guess you’re the trainer of this handsome animal.”

  “That’s me.” She reached out her hand. Both men shook it. “And this is Finley.”

  “Fidley?” the shorter man said.

  “No, Finley,” Chris said. “With an N.”

  “Sorry. Don’t hear so good. Used to work a tank.”

  “Finley, greet,” Amy said. Finley instantly obeyed. He walked up between the two men and sat. Looked up with his friendliest face and wagged his tail.

  “Aren’t you something?” the taller man said. “I’m Rich, and this here is Matt. We’re actually roommates, but our counselor thinks we should both get our own dog.”

  “He’s a golden retriever, right?” Matt said.

  “Mostly,” Amy said. “But he’s part something else. We just don’t know what. But it’s obvious, he’s got mostly retriever genes. Have you two met Chris yet?”

  “Don’t believe so,” Rich said. The men shook hands.

  “You interested in Finley?” Rich said to Chris.

  “I am. What did you two think of the other dog you were just with, the brindle colored pit?”

  “Loved him,” Rich said. “We had ourselves a nice visit.”

  “We’re both interested in him,” Matt said, “but obviously, we can’t both have him. But he’s the only pit left.”

  “You like pits?” Amy asked.

  “I do,” Matt said. “Had one before I went into the service. Had him for a long time, as a matter fact. He died while I was over there. Sure would like to get me another one. Especially one as smart as these, o
ne that can help me with my…with my struggles. But I’m gonna let Rich have him.”

  “You are?” Rich said. “We hadn’t decided on anything, yet.”

  “Well I have. You’re hurtin’ worse than me. We both know that. And that dog took to you like butter on bread.”

  Rich had a stunned look on his face. “That’s mighty nice-a-you, Matt.”

  “Think nothing of it. It’s a done deal.” He turned his attention to Amy and Chris. “We’re just coming over here, mainly because Finley is the last dog left. He is the last one, right?”

  “After Benny, he is,” Amy said. “But I thought you loved pits.”

  “I do,” Matt said. “But it appears we got here too late to get one. And this dog is certainly a fine looking specimen.” He looked at his friend. “I’d be a chick magnet walking this dog down the street, don’t ya think?”

  “I don’t know if you want to get started with a dog that’s way better looking than you are,” Rich said.

  These two guys were nice, in a rough-sawn sort of way, but there was no way Amy wanted Finley going home with either one of them.

  “So, what do we do?” Matt said. “How do we decide who gets Finley?” He looked at Chris. “Want to flip a coin for him?”

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea,” Amy said. “Besides, that kind of leaves Finley out of the process.” Suddenly, she had a thought. There was a slight risk involved, but Amy was almost certain things would end up the right way if they did this.

  “You want to let Finley choose?” Rich said.

  “That’s the idea. How about I stand here with Finley? Matt and Chris, you stand over there about fifteen feet in front of me.” They did. “Now move to the side till you are about fifteen feet apart.” They did that, too.

  “Do you want us to do anything?” Chris said.

  Amy could tell by the look on his face, he wasn’t liking this. But she was certain he had nothing to worry about. “Yes, when I count to three, both of you say gently, and in a happy voice, ‘Here, Finley.’ We’ll see which one he goes to.”

  “That seems fair enough,” Rich said. He looked at Amy. “But dogs don’t choose like people do, right? He won’t care about how homely my friend Matt is here, right? He won’t choose Chris cause he’s the better looking fella.”

  They all laughed. “No,” Amy said. “Dogs will love anyone, no matter what they look like.”

  “Good,” Rich said. He looked at Matt. “You still got a chance. Don’t give up hope.”

  “This how you gonna treat me. After I been so nice to you?”

  “I am being nice. I’m looking out for your interests.” He pronounced it inner-rists.

  “Okay,” Amy said, “are we ready to do this?”

  Matt nodded.

  “I guess so,” Chris said.

  “Okay, call him…now.”

  “Here Finley,” both men said just the way Amy asked. Matt added, “Come here, boy.”

  Finley looked at both men, slightly confused for a moment. Then he instantly ran right where Amy expected him to…right to Chris’s side. He even performed the finish command all on his own, walked behind Chris then sat beside him on the opposite side. To top it off, he leaned his head against Chris’s leg.

  No one said anything for a moment.

  “I thought you said he didn’t care about Matt being ugly,” Rich said. That sufficiently broke the tension and everyone laughed. “He walked up to Chris like he was his daddy.”

  Matt stuck out his hand to Chris. “I know when I’m beat. You won fair and square.”

  “Thanks,” Chris said. “And just for the record…I think you’re way better looking than Rich.” Everyone laughed again.

  This turned out even better than Amy hoped.

  “Probably just as well,” Matt said. “I really had my heart set on getting a pit anyway.”

  “Then you won’t have long to wait,” Amy said. “This class graduates in less than a month. Then we start up another one right away. As you can see looking around, almost half the class are pits or pit mixes. You sign up now, and you’ll have your pick of the next class.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Matt said. “C’mon, Rich. Let’s go over and have a chat with that Miss Bridget, see if we can get you signed up. You all have a fine afternoon.” They waved and walked away.

  Amy walked Finley back to the picnic table. She sat on the bench; he sat beside her.

  Chris rejoined her. “That was kind of unexpected. Gotta be honest, I was a little nervous. Is that how you usually settle these matters?”

  “I don’t know. This is my first training class, remember?”

  “What if Finley chose Matt?”

  “I knew that wouldn’t happen. He’s already chosen you, Chris.” She thought it, but didn’t say it: And so have I.

  39

  Chris waited for the other two vets to be far enough away to speak freely, then asked Amy, “So, does that mean…I get Finley? He’s my dog? I mean, going to be my dog. There’s no other chance I could lose him to someone else?”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s how it is. You’ve already been preapproved. Finley is available. You want him, and he clearly wants you.”

  “You said pretty sure. Is there any—”

  “I’m real sure. It’s just, I’ve never done this before. But I’ve seen matches happen all the time the last few weeks. It goes just like this. The next step is just to talk to Miss Bridget and make it official. She’ll probably have a few more things for you to sign, maybe have a few more questions. But before all of you came, she had a little talk with me. She wanted me to be ready to let go of Finley today. So I’m pretty sure she’ll be all for this.”

  Chris picked up something in what she just said. Not just the words, but her tone, the slight change of expression on her face. “I can imagine it’s pretty hard for you.”

  “What is?”

  “Letting go of Finley.” He reached over and scratched behind his ear. “He’s not even mine yet, and I was struggling bigtime during that little contest a few minutes ago. I couldn’t imagine seeing him go home with Matt. Nothing on him, just the idea of losing him.”

  “He certainly has a way of growing on you,” Amy said. “I’ve never had a dog before. Wanted one my whole childhood, but…well, that’s a long story. Since I went out on my own, my life’s been too unstable to have a dog.”

  “You look like someone who’s been around dogs your whole life.”

  “No, just Finley. But having him makes me want to be around dogs the rest of my life. I mean, when I get out of here.”

  “Well, that shouldn’t be too long from now. You said six months, right?”

  “I said I hope it’s six months. I’m waiting to hear back something on that any day.”

  “Will you be training other dogs between now and then? I mean after Finley graduates?”

  “That was the plan.”

  “But not anymore?”

  Amy patted Finley on the head, then looked away. It looked to Chris that she was getting teary-eyed. “I’m not sure I’m cut out for this.”

  “Training dogs?” Chris said. “Amy, I’m only here this one day, but I have been watching everything. You’re one of the best trainers in here.”

  She sighed, seemed to regain her composure. “Nice of you to say. But it’s not the training part I’m struggling with. It’s the letting go part. My friend, Rita, says you get used to it. She’s been doing this for three years. But I can’t see how.” She leaned over and kissed Finley on the forehead. “We’ve only been together for a couple of months, but it’s like he’s a part of me now. Closer than any friend I’ve ever had.”

  Chris could easily imagine this. He already felt a significant bond forming between him and this dog, and they’d only just met. “Guess that’s why they call them, man’s best friend.” It was a stupid thing to say. He wished he could take it back. She didn’t seem to notice. He had to think of something else to say. “Why do you think these
dogs are so effective at helping veterans with PTSD?”

  Amy leaned back, like she was thinking. “I don’t have any official-sounding answer. We didn’t really cover this in our training. But I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about it on my own. Not so much from a veteran’s point of view, since I’ve never served. But I think there might be some parallels to the kind of help they provide, even to people like me. I’ve definitely had some trauma in my life. Nothing like what you went through. You and guys like you in the military. Your trauma came from being heroic. Mine came from making a complete mess of my life. Getting addicted to drugs. Totally destroying family life. Constantly feeling hopeless and out of control. Stealing to try to keep from becoming homeless. Then I end up here.”

  She paused and looked over the grounds in front of them. “I don’t mean this part of the prison. It actually hasn’t been too bad since I got here. I’m talking about the main prison, in the general population. I think I was scared the whole time I was in there. Every minute of every day. My faith certainly helped me some, but I still felt like I was barely keeping my head above water. Until you came into my life, Mr. Finley.” She gently took his face in her hands. He seemed to smile at her and wagged his tail.

  “It was like God knew I needed him, at just the right moment. I know this part’ll sound kind of crazy. But I think God made dogs different than other animals and gave them a special gift. Some days, I swear I feel God’s love coming right through Finley, straight into my heart. For the first time in my life—just being around him—I think I understand what unconditional love and acceptance feels like, or something very close to it. Finley likes me regardless of my problems. He gives his love away for free, every day, without judgment, without prejudice or a moment’s hesitation. One look in his eyes and you can tell, he doesn’t care about anything you’ve done, or any of the stupid mistakes you’ve made. Whatever’s wrong with you, even whatever you think is wrong with you, Finley doesn’t care.”