by Sioux Dallas
The Mayor stepped up on the stage and called for attention. “We’ve just had some good folks offer to sponsor another race. You know that all these games are sponsored as are all classes in the Youth Rodeo. The profits are donated to a worthy charity that the Fourth of July Committee agrees upon. Each year it’s a different charity. I don’t know which one it will be this year, but keep up with our news. I’ll let Tom Jackson tell you about this game because he and his dad, Herb Jackson, are sponsoring it.”
“What’s Tom doing up there?” Anna asked surprised.
“Because it’s his idea,” Herb answered coming to stand by them.
“Tom had an idea? When did he develop brains to have an idea?” Alex giggled and walked unsteadily away. His crazy laugh trailed behind him.
“Is Alex drinking?” Irene asked astonished.
“I don’t think so,” Herb said hesitatingly. “I hope it isn’t what I suspect.”
Everyone stopped talking to listen to Tom. “We’ll call this game, “Fireman”. Contestants will start at a given point and carry a cup. Those boys are filling three tubs with water. The contestants will run down there, scoop up a cup of water and run back to these buckets assigned to each one and empty the cup of water into the bucket. They’ll make as many runs as they can until the whistle blows. The water will be measured in the buckets. The person who has carried the most water will win. You’ll have a few minutes to sign up. OH, yes, only people in wheelchairs can enter.” The crowd laughed joyously when Marshall cheered so hard he almost turned his chair over.
Chuckles pulled Marshall’s chair to the place he was told to go. Marshall looked anxiously around, because he was by far the youngest. There was one other dog and five adults rolling their own chairs. Marshall was nervous.
The starter gun was fired and Marshall yelled for Chuckles to go. The dog seemed confused, but he took Marshall to a tub as he was told to do. Marshall leaned over and scooped up a cup of water, then yelled for Chuckles to go. Chuckles quickly caught on and dashed happily back and forth three trips before the whistle sounded. Marshall was declared the winner. It was difficult to determine who had the biggest grin, Marshall or Chuckles. He yelled for Anna to give Chuckles a hug, but she hugged them both.
“Don’t you dare cry,” John admonished Anna.
“I can’t help it. Marshall will know these are tears of joy.”
“Anna, what’s wrong?” Marshall was worried.
“Well, you know how women are, Marshall. We cry at everything, when we’re happy as well as when we’re sad. I am so happy for you that I am shedding tears of joy.”
“Okay. As long as you’re happy.”
The Youth Rodeo was held in the ball field from three until seven. By then it was dark enough for fireworks that the fire department took care of. Anna stood by Chuckles and Marshall. Tom, Tim, and the other children each stood quietly by a dog in case the animal needed calming.
At seven-thirty the first fireworks were set off. A few of the dogs began to fidget, but fortunately none of them broke training. All had been exposed to all kinds of noises, but this was the first for them to be in a crowd with fireworks causing so much noise.
Chuckles thought he had to protect Marshall. A man leaned over and put his hand on Marshall’s shoulder to ask if he was enjoying the fireworks. Chuckles looked as if he were frowning and pushed between the man and his young master. John told Marshall to praise Chuckles.
“I’m so proud of you and Chuckles and especially glad that you’re my new friend.” Anna told Marshall. At eight John gathered his group and helped them board their bus to go back to the school.
“I’ll see you young people when you come down. Don’t say anything, but maybe you can surprise this group and come to their graduation a month from now.”
The boys said they would be there, but the girls reminded John they would be away in college. The Jackson family stayed to help the clean up crew and put materials away. Tom and Jim were taking the sound system apart.
“Jim, do you know what’s wrong with Alex? I can’t put my thumb on the problem, but there is definitely a problem. I watched him this afternoon and he didn’t appear to be drinking, but ---- I don’t know. There’s something funny about him. Does he smoke?”
“He’s smoking something. I saw him one evening with some unfamiliar kids that looked like a rough bunch to me. They were dressed okay, but their behavior was not acceptable. Alex was smoking, but when eh saw me looking at him, he tried to hide it. He kept laughing as if he could not control himself. He wasn’t steady walking away.”
“Well. Something’s wrong,” Tom grimaced. “Let’s play it cool and maybe he’ll talk to one of us. Now I want to go home and check on Hope. We don’t usually leave her alone this long, and I’m sure she could hear some of the fireworks. She has never heard them before and will be uneasy. Come see me as soon as you can.”
At home, the twins asked permission to call Ben in Alaska and ask about Greatheart. They told Ben all about their day and promised to write and tell him their experiences in the dog training school.
“Greatheart is really living up to her name,” Ben bragged. A bull elk came into town and got so confused the men couldn’t get him turned around and out of town. The poor animal was frightened. Without being told, Greatheart ran toward him and herded him around and out of town. The elk was unharmed and there was no danger or injuries. She was a hero. Are you prepared for a shock? Chief Houmay was there and called everyone’s attention to the wonderful dog. He has decided that he likes her and talks to her as if she can converse with him. They have become friends.”
“Wow! That’s great news. I’m so glad. Is Greatheart near you?” Tim asked.
“Yes. She’s right here beside me.”
“Hold the phone so she can hear Hope bark. Does she act like she recognizes Hope?”
“No. She’s puzzled because she doesn’t know where that dog is or why it’s barking. She acts as if she might know your voice though. She’s turning her head and tilting it and whimpering. No. There she goes. She’s over on the couch now. Sorry about that.”
They would have talked over an hour, but Herb wanted to talk to Yehat Eskise and hung up when he was finished.
“Hope, that was your mother. I know you don’t remember her. You were such a tiny baby when she went to live with Ben and you left with us.” Hope looked at Tom and tilted her head from side to side as if she were trying to understand what he was saying.
Tim rubbed her ears and neck. “I just hope you turn out to be as smart as your mother and grandmother. I have a feeling you will. You’ll have entirely different experiences that they had though.”
“Anna, can you come in here, please?” Tom called Anna to join him and Tim in their room. “We’re worried about Alex and wonder what we should do. We’d like to hear what you think.”
“What has he done? Tell me what you’re worried about and maybe I’ll have an idea as to what should be done, or if it’s even any concern of yours.”
They told her what they had observed and what impressions they had. “He’s stopped going anywhere with our crowd. He’s running with some kids that are from wealthy homes, just as he is, but they don’t seem to have any self-respect and certainly not for others.”
“Let me see what I can find out. I’ll check with the girls and see if their brothers have told them anything. I’m not inclined to get involved in anything that I don’t know at least the basics about it.”
Irene was walking by the room and heard part of the conversation. “What’s this about Alex?”
“Mom, Alex is not only acting strange, but he has a whole new set of questionable friends. None of us get to talk to him anymore. When one of us happens to run into him, he’s evasive or just walks away.”
“I’m truly sorry. Alex has not had a family and home life such as you and your friends have had. Both of his parents are attorneys and always busy and away from home. I can’t remember them ever attending a school func
tion or a parent teacher meeting. Alex was raised by housekeepers and never had any responsibilities at home. Neither has he felt he needed to take responsibility for his actions. Sometimes children from the well-to-do homes are the true underprivileged.” She hesitated and thought a moment. “Don’t go anywhere with Alex or with his new group, but be ready to listen if he seeks your attention. He was a good friend when all of you were younger. Be compassionate, and be careful what you say publically.”
“Oh, Mom. We wouldn’t go anywhere with him now and I’m sure none of our friends would either. I hope he’ll come to us. I want to help him,” Tim assured her.
The following morning Dede pulled up in the van with Michelle and Janell. Anna and the six boys ran out to make the trip to Canine Wonders Guide and Service Dog Training School.
Jason was excited because his parents had never allowed him to own a pet and he had always loved dogs. He had loads of questions, but the group was patient with him and answered as best they could. Tim finally placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder and said, “Jason, we’re all going to learn new things today. Just hang loose and all of our questions will be answered.”
Dede drove carefully through Fairfax and on route 50 west to Chantilly. On the north side of Chantilly was the forty-seven acre area for the training school. Dede pulled into the parking lot in front of the administration building. They were greeted by a giant, black male Labrador that was friendly and welcoming. Jean came out to meet them. “You’ve met Baron.”
“Hello! I’m glad you came. Come on in out of this heat. There’s no air stirring and it feels as if it’s 100, but it’s only 92,” she laughed. “We’ve been waiting anxiously for you to get here because we could see that all of you were serious about helping.”
“When do we see the dogs?” Jason asked eagerly.
“Hi, folks,” John Middleton greeted them as they entered the lobby. “I sure am glad you could make it. How was your trip? Did you have trouble finding us?”
“No trouble,” Tom answered. “Your directions were very clear. We’re just anxious to see everything and learn what we’re to do.”
Jean motioned for a man to come into the room. “This is Jake Sargeant, one of the best trainers in the world. We’re so lucky he’s working with us.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Jake laughed. “Hello everyone. I won’t say welcome aboard yet, and I’m relieved to see that you look like young people who will do a great job. I need to know everyone’s name and make a name tag for you. That’s for us and for the people who board here to know you. Let’s start with you,” he pointed to Mark who was nearest to him.
“Mark Tully, sir.”
“Oh, please. Don’t sir me. I’m just Jake. And you?” he pointed to the next one.
“Jim Dodd.”
“Dan Baxter.”
“Jason Horn.”
“Tom Jackson.”
“Tim Jackson.”
“Oh, boy. We’ll have to put a bell on one of you,” he laughed.
“Anna Jackson.”
“Are you related to these bookends?”
“I’m honored to be their sister.”
“Sorry. I don’t mean to be smarty, but you have to admit that they are difficult to tell apart. I’m sure that after we get to know them, there will be differences that will be obvious.”
“Yes,” Anna smiled. “I know, but good luck on that. They can be tricky. I’m serious though. They’re great guys even if they are my brothers.”
“I’m glad to see brothers and sisters so close. Okay, who’re you?”
“Dede Dodd. Actually Delores Dodd.”
“I assume you’re Jim’s sister.”
“Yes, sir, and I, too, am proud of my brother.”
“I’m Michelle Tully, and I have the greatest brother of all.” The girls started laughing and teasing each other.
“While they’re settling that, I’m Janell Morris and I’m an only child.”
With name tags in place they then went into a room where they saw a video on the history and present work of the school.
“Now may we see the dogs?” Jason pleaded.
“You sure can,” Jake laughed and slapped him on the back. “We’ll have to walk, or you can ride a golf cart to the opposite side and on the other side of the parking lot.”
“Let’s walk so we can see more of the campus,” Anna suggested. “Jake, I hate to tell you, but we girls will be leaving for college in a couple of weeks. I’m sorry I won’t be here full time, but I’ll help whenever I’m home.”
“For gosh sakes. What can you do part time?” Jason asked.
“Nothing subtle about you, is there buddy?” Dan teased him.
“Huh?”
Talking was set aside as the door was opened and the group faced a long section with cages of dogs on both sides of a very wide aisle. The noise of the welcoming barks and puppy yips made it hard to be heard.
“How precious,” Anna knelt by a cage of puppies. “I didn’t realize they’d be in such large cages. They’re like small rooms.”
“Notice that the cage inside has feeding trays and water bowls. They are at least eight feet by eight feet and seven feet tall. We keep four to six puppies, depending on the size, together, but only three or four as they grow. There is an opening leading to an outdoor eight feet by twelve feet cage for exercise time. Animals are changed around so that they learn to get along with other dogs. Volunteers come out several times a week to hug the puppies and play with them so they become sociable with people.”
“That’s great. I can’t get over how clean everything is, even smells nice,” Mark observed.
“Yes. Twice a day, or whenever necessary, the cages are hosed out. We use only safe chemicals that clean and deodorize. About three times a day, the dogs are taken into the big field at the back so they can run and get rid of energy. “
“Do the puppies go out with the big dogs?” Tom questioned.
“Not at first. Puppies are hugged and petted until they are from four to six months old, again depending upon the breed and rate of growth. Then they can be turned out with bigger dogs that are a year old or less. You’ll be walking the dogs that are past the hugging stage.”
They walked on full of excitement and questions. “At about six months of age they’ll be loaned to select families who have been thoroughly investigated and approved. The families will keep the dog for about a year, teaching them the basics; sit, stay, lie down, fetch, come, quiet and so forth.
“They’ll also take them in cars and expose them to noises like roller skates, sirens, doorbells and others. They’ll take them into restaurants, hotels, walking on the sidewalk in a shopping area and crossing the street. The dogs will be taught good manners, but will be loved and treated well.”
“Then what happens?” Jason was eager and interested.
“The dogs are brought back here for serious training,” Jean explained, “and that’s where Jake comes in. they’re checked carefully for attitude, aptitude and health. They’re given specific training that some person actually needs. This is our clinic. We’re fortunate to have nine veterinarians who are good to volunteer their services unless a lot of their time is required; then they’re paid. They give shots and do general health checking. Of course when families have the dogs, they’re responsible for health care, but they can bring them to us if there’s even a suspicion of problems.”
John continued, “When the dogs are returned, they are in rigorous, serious training. As soon as a dog is approved, he or she is paired with a person. The person will come to live in our dormitory and bond with their dog by training together. We have a special graduation when the dog and person bond and each learns what their responsibilities are. They then go home together, but the person knows they can call on us at any time.”
“Do all dogs finish the training expected of them?” Tim asked. “I’ve heard that dogs training for police work sometimes don’t make the grade.”
“You’re righ
t,” Jake answered. “In rare case a dog has to be taken out of the training program and given to someone who will love it and care for it. We do keep a check on them. It’s expensive though. It costs at least ten thousand dollars to train a service dog, a little over six thousand dollars to train a dog for the deaf and several thousands to train others for specialized work.”
“Good grief! Where do you get the money? I thought the dogs went to people free of charge,” Michelle said.
“Caring people give donations, some put on fund raisers, others remember us in their will and we have endowment funds. The money we invest brings in a good interest to meet daily needs, however, the interest has been low lately.” Jean told them. “We always need money for daily needs.”
“Where do you get the dogs?” Janell asked.
“It is far too important to have good, healthy dogs with good temperaments, personalities, if you will. We own excellent breedings so that we can breed our own. You met big daddy when you first came in. On rare occasions we might find a good dog in a humane shelter; a qualified breeder might donate one or an individual might give one. The dogs are screened carefully because they will be working with humans who might literally place their lives with the dog,” Jake explained.
“Let’s move on,” John said. “There’s too much to see and hear about in one visit. You’ve seen our puppies, now let’s move on to the next room for the next stage. These are the dogs that need walking and are ready to be taken to private homes for a year.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“You’re just in time,” Jake smiled. “A group of dogs have just been taken to the field to play and relax.”
“Wow!” Mark exclaimed. “There must be fifty of them.”
“No. I think there’s twenty-four. Would you like to go in and throw balls or just romp and play with them?”
They could hardly wait to get in with the frisky dogs. Jason was especially thrilled. After ten minutes John called them to move on with him. “We thought you might like to see the dormitory where our people stay while they have the final training with their assigned dogs.”