by Andrew Kole
“Yes. Our backpacks are down the hill. We have plenty of of rope” Shuttleworth said.
“Spencer... ”
“I heard,” said Spencer, taking off. He quickly found the back- packs, opened the one he figured was Amos’, and got the rope.
Taylor heard a groan from behind her. She whirled around to see Amos blinking as he regained consciousness. “Grandpa!”
“I’m okay,” Amos said. “How’s the city slicker?”
“Sorry to disappoint you, old man, but I’m still alive,” Shuttleworth said.
“Too bad,” Amos joked. Taylor rolled her eyes. Trust Amos to make inappropriate jokes when his life was in danger.
“Spencer’s getting the rope. Then, we’re going to climb out of here. All of us,” Taylor said, determined to get the conversation back to what was important.
“Sounds good to me,” Amos said. “You’re in charge, Taylor.”
Taylor felt no pressure. She knew what had to be done. She could do this.
Taylor felt Bohdi’s nose push into her hand. Winnie trembled, but she was more than willing to give it a try.
“We’re ready to help. What can we do?” Bohdi barked.
Taylor couldn’t understand their words, but she could see the willingness in their eyes. “It’ll be your turn to help soon. I promise.”
Spencer leaned over the ledge and yelled down to Taylor. “I’ve got the rope!”
All of the dogs stood right behind Spencer; every one of them ready to do whatever they had to do to save their friends.
Taylor leaned out the door and yelled back. “Tie a bowline knot around the biggest tree you can find.” Spencer nodded, then disappeared back over the edge.
“A bowline?” Shuttleworth asked, looking a bit confused. “Your boy has skills,” Taylor said, as she smiled at Shuttleworth.
****
Spencer wrapped the rope securely around the biggest tree he could find and tied the bowline. “Rabbit out of the hole. Around the tree. Back in the hole,” Spencer said to himself. Spencer pulled the line tight. Success! He raced back to the cliff ’s edge, and called down. “Now what?”
“Toss the rope down! Your dad is going to climb up!” she said. Shuttleworth faced off with Taylor. “If anyone’s goin’ down with this ship, it’s me. You get up there. Right now. Where you’ll
be safe.”
“I’m not leaving without my grandpa, and you’re stronger so you can help Spencer pull a lot better than I can,” Taylor said firmly.
“You need to get out of here, sweetie,” Amos said weakly.
Taylor kneeled down by her grandfather and smiled. “I lived through a plane crash. I’m not letting you ruin what is going to be an amazing story by dying on me now,” Taylor said. “You taught me that when we each work to our strengths, that’s when we can solve the toughest problems. Besides, you said I was in charge.” She then looked at Shuttleworth.
“So, are you going to get up there and help me or what?” Amos sighed. “It is not worth fighting with her, Cole.” Shuttleworth nodded and grabbed hold of the dangling rope.
“Okay.” He called up to Spencer. “I’m coming up, son,” Shuttleworth said, saying the word son with pride.
Using his feet to push as well as his hands on the rope, Shuttleworth hauled himself up the side of the cliff. As soon as he neared the top, Spencer reached his hand out to help his father. Their eyes locked. A lot of years of hurt were forgiven in that one special look. Shuttleworth took Spencer’s hand and he pulled his father up over the edge, to safety.
“Taylor. I’m sending the rope back down,” Spencer yelled.
Just as Taylor snatched the rope, a gust of wind sailing over the mountain caught and rattled the plane. Everyone – both those inside and those watching from above – held their breaths. Was this it? But no, not yet. The pine supporting the cockpit held. For now.
“Better get some weight out of here,” Amos said.
Taylor knew he was right. And the heaviest one in here, not trapped under a seat, was Winnie. “Your turn, girl. Let’s go.”
“I don’t know. I’m a dog! I can’t climb,” Winnie worried.
“Winnie. You can do this. You fought wolves. You can do anything!” said Bohdi.
Winnie took a deep breath and summoned her inner dog. “You’re right,” said Winnie and stepped forward to Taylor. Taylor made a makeshift harness and tied it around the wolfhound’s chest. Bohdi knew this operation was going to take too long if they had to pull the dogs up one at a time. He looked at Piper, “You need
to get on Winnie’s back and hold on.”
“Plane crash. Almost drowned. Nearly starved to death. Attacked by wolves. And now this. I am seriously cursed,” Piper said.
“Piper, get on now!” said Bohdi.
Piper looked at Bohdi. “Okay, boss.”
Piper then jumped on Winnie’s back, grabbed her collar with her teeth and hung on for dear life as Winnie made her way to the door. She was ready.
“Spencer! Mr. Shuttleworth! Pull!” Taylor hollered up to them.
Spencer and Shuttleworth pulled on the rope, slowly hoisting Winnie and Piper up the slope.
“Come on, team!” Lady Maya called to the other dogs who quickly got on the rope.
“What the...?” Shuttleworth said, as he looked at the dogs, shocked.
“Just keep pulling, Dad,” Spencer said.
Shuttleworth focused back on the task and together, he, his son, and the dogs, hauled Winnie and Piper up to safety. “Solid ground! Solid ground!” celebrated Winnie.
Spencer quickly untied the rope from the wolfhound’s chest and tossed it back down to Taylor.
“You guys next,” Taylor said to Bohdi and Indy. But the dogs backed away from her. “I’m not leaving ’til you’re safe,” Indy said to Taylor.
“We’re not leaving,” Bohdi added.
Bohdi and Indy shared a look. They were proud to be on the same team. While Taylor and Amos couldn’t understand what their dogs said, they understood their hearts.
“I think they’re staying,” Amos said.
Taylor then looked at Amos and spotted a part of the broken chair she could tie the rope to. She quickly hooked it up, but when she tugged, a bolt gave way and the rope popped loose.
“Darn,” muttered Taylor. “You can do it,” said Amos.
Taylor fished around under the seat, searching for another anchor point. She spotted a sturdy looking bracket, but couldn’t reach far enough past Amos.
Bohdi bounced up and down, then scratched at Taylor’s leg.
Indy barked to get her attention. “What?” Taylor asked.
Bohdi snatched the rope out of Taylor’s hand, laid down on his belly and wiggled under the chair, past Amos, wrapped the rope around the bracket, then wiggled his way back to Taylor.
“Good job, Bohdi,” she said.
Taylor hurriedly tied a sturdy knot, ran to the door, and looked up at the tense faces, human and dog.
“We’re gonna get Grandpa out!” she said. “You’ve all got to pull together like you’ve never pulled before.”
And they did.
Taylor pushed on the chair with all her might while the rope provided added tension. Amos did his best to help from where he was pinned in. Metal screeched as the chair flexed under the stress of the rope, but it was wedged in tight. Instead of the chair moving, the whole
cockpit trembled and swayed.
Amos panted in discomfort. “Taylor, you need to take the dogs and get out of here now,” Amos said. “This thing isn’t stable.”
“We’re not leaving you.”
Bohdi and Indy barked in agreement, then grabbed the rope with their jaws and joined in. They were not leaving Amos behind.
Up on top, Spencer leaned back, his feet sliding as he tried to get better footing. The dogs dug in their paws and heaved. Cole Shuttleworth threw his whole body into it, turning purple with effort.
With a tormented screech, the chair finally moved, just a little. “It’s working! It’s working! Keep pulling!” Taylor yelled up to those above. While they kept tension on the rope, Taylor grabbed Amos’ arm and slid him out from under the chair. Amos, Taylor and the dogs scrambled toward the door when they heard a loud snapping noise from the tree below the cockpit.
That thin, wind-battered tree had finally had enough. Snap! Snap! The tree limbs broke completely, dropping the cockpit straight down into the snowy void.
Horrified, Spencer rushed to the cliff edge and peered over and saw the upside-down cockpit chair tied to the end of the rope. Amos and Taylor clung to it while Indy and Bohdi balanced on the seat bottom. It was incredible, they were still hanging on!
“Could use a little help here,” Taylor said, smiling up at Spencer.
Spencer turned back to his father and the Westminster dogs. “They’re okay!”
As Spencer and his dad pulled Taylor, Amos, Indy and Bohdi up, a rumbling roar sounded over the mountain and a rescue helicopter swooped out of the clouds and hovered above them.
Chapter 20
Under Control
Amos, Taylor, Indy, and Bohdi were now out of danger. The helicopter was down. Manny Perez and other search and rescue personnel were assessing everyone’s wounds. Amos grinned at Manny, “Sure am glad to see you.”
“I’m not sure you really needed us,” Manny said. “Looked to me like you had it all under control.”
“We did. Or should I say Taylor and Spencer did,” said Amos. “Right, Shuttleworth?”
“I thought we were on a first name basis,” said Shuttleworth. “After all, I did save your life.”
“After I saved yours,” Amos contended.
“Indy saved my life. Not you, old man,” Shuttleworth said. “Are you two still at it?” asked Manny.
Amos looked at Shuttleworth for a long moment, then smiled. “No. We’re good,” said Amos. Shuttleworth returned the smile.
Thirty feet away, Bohdi, Indy, Lady Maya and the other Westminster dogs were gathered in a group.
“This has been quite an adventure,” said Lady Maya.
“I can’t believe we made it,” Winnie said.
“When we get home, I’m going to take the longest, hottest, bubble bath of my life,” said Piper.
“I’m getting a pedicure. My nails have been destroyed!” sighed Duke.
“I want to sleep in my own bed,” said Winnie.
“I just want a snack,” said Aldo. “Or, a few snacks. Or, all the snacks.” “Eat your way through the refrigerator, my friend. You deserve it,” said
Sandor.
Lady Maya then looked at Major who was deep in thought.
“You’re uncommonly quiet. Are you okay?” Lady Maya asked.
“I used to think being a champion was all there was in life. But, I’ve learned that having friends is what’s really important,” said Major.
Hearing the word “champion” out of Major’s mouth reminded Lady Maya she couldn’t put off showing Spencer her tooth any longer. Reluctantly, she headed over to Spencer who was telling his father all about the adventure he had had with Taylor.
“Spencer? Uh, I need to show you something,” said Lady Maya in dog. Spencer and his father heard Lady Maya barking and turned their attention to her. Lady Maya was very nervous, but very slowly opened her mouth and showed them the empty spot where her
canine tooth had been. She then hung her head in shame.
“I guess Maya can’t be a show dog anymore,” Spencer said.
Spencer was very worried his dad would still see Lady Maya as property, not a pet. And now that she wasn’t able to earn her keep... what would happen?
But his father’s attitude toward dogs had been changed by his incredible experience. “It doesn’t matter,” he said “Lady Maya’s just a different kind of champion, one who protected you from wolves! I’m very proud to have her in our family.”
Shuttleworth then dropped down on his knees and wrapped his arms around her.
“My poor girl.... Does it hurt, Maya?” Lady Maya could hear the love in his voice and licked his face.
“Is that really you?” Spencer asked his father. “The new me, son... the new me.”
At that moment, they both realized this was the beginning of a new relationship for them, one that wouldn’t have them always fighting and arguing. Spencer was at a loss for words. He just hugged his dad, and his dad hugged him right back.
“As happy as I am to have you back in once piece, you’re still in some serious trouble, young man. I can’t believe you took off in the plane with all the dogs!”
Spencer knew he deserved whatever punishment his father was going to dish out.
“Amos!” Shuttleworth called out. Amos quickly made his way over to them.
“What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you would consider letting Spencer work for you at the shelter to repay you for all the trouble he caused?”
“What shelter?” Amos asked. “You’re demolishing it, remember?” “I may have seen the error of my ways on that one.”
“If I’d known you were going to be such a good guy, I would have told you to buy your boots one size larger,” Amos said smiling. Shuttleworth returned the smile. “So, what do you say, Hopton...
Will you let Spencer do community service at the shelter?”
Spencer held his breath – this was punishment?! This was better than anything he could have hoped for. Sure, it was going to be hard work, but it also meant a summer of being surrounded by dogs, and more importantly, his new friends.
Amos looked at Spencer, and winked. “I’m sure I can find something for him to do.” Spencer grinned. Then remembered this was supposed to be a punishment and quickly looked solemn again.
****
Bohdi followed Taylor as she trotted up to Manny clutching an ice pack to her shoulder.
“I want to officially train for Aspen Search and Rescue,” Taylor said, looking Manny in the eye.
Manny returned her look. There weren’t many teenagers he’d even consider for his team, but Taylor knew what she was asking. She knew the risks... and the rewards of this kind of work. Based on what Manny saw here, she was clearly qualified.
“Rest up for a week, and if you’re still interested we’ll talk.” “Oh, I will be,” Taylor said with a smile. “And we have to
include Bohdi. He wants to be a search and rescue dog.”
Manny then locked eyes with Bohdi. “I think we can make that work,” Manny said.
At that Bohdi joyfully barked and barked and barked. He was home. He had a purpose. And, most importantly, a family.
Chapter 21
Looking Toward the Future
It was Labor Day weekend. The animal shelter was all spruced up with a new coat of paint on all the buildings, rep
aired and
expanded kennels, new fenced areas for the dogs to run, and most of all, new life. A very bright, very large banner read:
Adoption Day!
~ Sponsored by Winner’s Circle Dog Food ~
The revised Winner’s Circle ad campaign poster showed Maya, missing tooth and all, with a big grin standing next to correctly proportioned pictures of Winnie, Aldo, Duke, Piper, Sandor, and Major, plus Indy and Bohdi.
Search and Rescue personnel and dogs from all over the area, as well as most of Aspen milled around, enjoying the holiday atmosphere. Hickory House was catering the event so the air was full of the delicious smell of barbecue for dogs and humans alike.
As the press took pictures of the puppies up for adoption, Bohdi led the adult mutts through an agility course while Taylor and Spencer kept time. Bohdi had no trouble with the obstacles, but never got too far ahead. He was always happy to help a dog out of a jam or offer encouragement to his fellow mutts.
Lady Maya, Piper, Duke, Winnie, Aldo, Sandor and Major, groomed and dressed in dapper outfits again, watched and cheered the mutts on.
“Way to go, Bohdi!” Aldo and Winnie said in unison.
“I can’t see. What’s happening? Who’s winning?” asked Sandor as he tried to shake his trimmed dreadlocks out of his eyes so he could see the agility course.
“Bohdi could win easily, but he simply refuses to compete. He just keeps trying to help the other dogs,” Major said somewhat annoyed. The other dogs threw him a collective look, causing him to respond, “What?... I’m sorry, but I still enjoy a little old-fashioned competition.”
The other dogs took a moment, then laughed. And instead of being irritated by their laughter like he would have been in the past, Major smiled. He no longer saw everything as a competition and he could take his friends’ affectionate teasing.
Amos was watching all the goings-on with pride when Cole Shuttleworth joined him. “The place is looking really good, Hopton,” said Shuttleworth.