by Sioux Dallas
“No, I don’t think so. He was accustomed to Marshall’s odor. He can smell that the boy is not Marshall. He’s picking up vibes of some kind from the child though.”
“Mrs. Hawkins,” Tom called softly to a nurse. “Why is that child lying on the blanket? He hasn’t moved since we’ve been in here. He acts as if he doesn’t even see us or know we’re here.”
“That’s a very sad case. His name is David Heyl. He was in a car with his parents when a drunken driver ran into their car and forced them over a cliff. The parents were killed and David was brought in unconscious. He had a broken leg, two cracked ribs and several abrasions.” She sighed deeply. “Physically he’s healing, but we haven’t found any relatives yet. He doesn’t talk or take an interest in anything, and he refuses to try to sit up or walk. He’s just in his own little world.”
Chuckles gently pulled away from Tim and walked over to David. He calmly walked on the blanket and sat down. Finally he stretched out full length by David but still not touching the boy.
“David didn’t even turn his head. He acts as if he doesn’t know the dog is there. Was David’s eyesight damaged?” Tim was concerned.
“There’s nothing wrong with his eyesight and his brain wave tests are good. He’s just so sad and probably confused.” A man spoke softly behind them. They had not seen Dr. Martin walk quietly in the room. He stood between the twins with a hand on each shoulder.
“David knows the dog is there. He’s lost the will to help himself. I know that dog. He was with Marshall for a long time. He was used to Marshall’s mood swings and took excellent care of the boy. My opinion is that the dog senses the boy’s despondence, and in his own way, is trying to take care of David.”
Fifteen minutes later, as the twins were leaving, Tom walked to the nurses’ station. “Is it all right if we bring the dogs more often? I’m betting Chuckles will eventually reach David.”
“I don’t know why you can’t come more often. You’ve been approved and cleared. I’ve heard of animals being used as therapy and maybe it will work with David. Thank you, boys. Both dogs are well behaved and we do appreciate them.”
Each time, after that visit, Chuckles will go straight to David and lie quietly beside him. On the third time, David turned his head to look at Chuckles. Boy and dog lay quietly looking into each other’s eyes.
Hope began to make low crooning sounds and would stand over David looking down at him. She and Chuckles would touch noses across the child as if they were talking about him. Hope would then walk around to others.
“I believe both dogs are sensing something inside David that we can’t observe,” Tim said.
On the fourth time, David reached for Chuckles and kept a hand on the dog. The next time, David turned toward Chuckles and put an arm across the dog. Three more visits went by with David lightly hugging Chuckles.
“Look,” a nurse caught their attention with tears standing in her eyes. David had placed an arm and a leg over Chuckles. His cheek was on the back of the dog’s head. The nurses were motioning for others to look. Someone had gone to get Dr. Martin. He looked with a big smile, turned quickly and left before they could see his tears.
The next visit David got farther on Chuckles’ back. The dog raised himself leaving his rear end on the floor. Hope came and stood on the other side of David. David wobbled but did push himself up to sit between the dogs. “I knew it,” Tom whispered happily.
Two more visits and Chuckles stood pulling David up. “It’s obvious Chuckles knows what he’s doing,” Tim stated. The next two days the twins had semester exams and wasn’t able to go to the hospital. Irene offered to take the dogs to the hospital.
“Thanks, Mom. I imagine David is missing Chuckles and wondering if he’s lost another friend. Call it selfish, but we’ve come this far with David and I want to be there as David progresses,” Tom said.
When the twins walked in with the dogs, David smiled and reached out an arm. “Hello, doggie,” he giggled. Chuckles gave a happy bark and rushed to the boy. David rolled with Chuckles and laughed. Hope tilted her head from side to side and seemed to be smiling. Chuckles stood and allowed David to pull up on him. David staggered slightly when Chuckles slowly and carefully took a step forward. David was forced to move with the dog or fall. They took four halting steps before David sat down with a thump. The little boy was startled when nurses applauded. He smiled shyly.
“What happens now?” Tim asked disturbed. “Have you found relatives to take David?”
“Yes,” the nurse hesitated. “We found his mother’s parents living in Kentucky. They haven’t spoken to her since she married David’s father. He was a different religion to them. Now in their late seventies, the man has emphysema and the woman is crippled with arthritis. They can’t take care of him and don’t want to be bothered since they’ve never seen him.”
“What will happen to him?” Tom was upset.
“If the grandparents can’t suggest another relative, then David will become a ward of the state and will be put up for adoption. He’ll be harder to place than a younger child and his emotional problems will go against him being adopted. In the meantime he’ll be placed in a foster home.”
“How old is he?” Tim asked.
“He’s just turned six. He’ll have a birthday in May.”
“Our birthday is in May,” Tom smiled.
The twins were sad when David cried as they left. “Bye, bye, doggie,” he sobbed.
“David, we’ll be back. You know we do come back. Chuckles and Hope have to go home but they’ll be back real soon to see you.” Tom choked.
Hope went to David and licked his face. She then stood with her head against his chest until he hugged her. Both dogs left looking back.
Outside the hospital, the twins were delighted to see Trina arriving with her mother. At the same time a girl, their age, walked by with a giant harlequin Great Dane. The Dane excitedly ran after Hope and Chuckles thrilled to find doggie friends.
Suddenly the Dane ran around making strange shrieking sounds while circling Trina. Hope walked to Trina and stood staring up at her. “What’s wrong with your dog?” Tom asked the girl.
“I have no idea. She’s only eight months old and probably just going silly to see your dogs.”
“She’s beautiful, but isn’t she too strong for you?” Tim asked.
Before the girl could answer, Tom heard Tim make a sound of alarm and turned to see that Tim had caught Trina’s head just in time to keep her from cracking it on the sidewalk as she fell backward. Trina was making gurgling sounds and began to thrash around.
“Run inside and get help,” Tim yelled at Tom. “Thank God we’re in front of a hospital.” Hope stood across Trina’s legs. An intern came running out with two nurses. Hope growled and had to be ordered away before they could get to Trina.
“She’s having a seizure of some kind. Let’s get her inside quickly.”
Two orderlies had run out with a gurney and gently lifted Trina to take her into the hospital.
Trina’s mother had let her out and had gone to park the car. She came running toward them. “What happened?” she asked worriedly. The twins and the girl with the Dane walked into the waiting room with Mrs. Fuller telling her on the way what had happened.
“That’s why I brought her in to be checked. She had a seizure last night and then went into a deep sleep. That’s never happened before.”
Tom smiled at the girl with the Dane. “My name is Tom Jackson and this is my twin, Tim. This is Mrs. Fuller, the mother of the girl who fell.”
“My name is Hillary Coramex. We’re new in town. We live two blocks over on Hershey St. this is Millie,” she proudly patted the dog. “I’m trying to teach her to walk beside me.”
Tom grinned. “She’ll learn. It takes patience and consistent training. We’ve trained several dogs. One was half wolf.”
“Wolf?” Hillary looked frightened. “Weren’t you scared?”
“No. She was the daughter of
a dog we’d had all our lives. We’ll tell you about it some time. You’ll be going to the same school we do. I bet we’ll become friends.”
“I hope so. Excuse me, but I need to get this monster home. Mrs. Fuller, I sincerely hope your daughter will be well.”
“Thank you, Hillary. You must come for a visit soon.”
The twins stayed with Mrs. Fuller until Dr. Hamilton came to talk to her. “I know you’re frightened for your daughter, but you must go home and rest. I’m keeping her overnight for observation and try to find what caused the seizure. I’m sorry but I can’t tell you anything about her condition this soon. It will take time.”
“May I see my daughter, doctor?”
“Certainly. She’s sleeping, so don’t be upset. We’re keeping her quiet and we’re experimenting with medications to find what will help her.”
The next afternoon Dr. Hamilton met with Mrs. Fuller. “Apparently the injuries Trina received in the automobile accident caused some form of nerve damage. We don’t know all we’d like to know about the brain. It is vitally important that she take the medications exactly as recommended. Please contact me if you have concerns or questions. I know this can be confusing to you and to Trina. I want to see her once a week until she is stabilized. Needless to say, she must stay home tomorrow.”
“Are you telling me that my daughter will have these seizures for the rest of her life?” Mrs. Fuller asked anxiously.
“I wish I could give you a definite answer, but I can’t. Time will tell. In the meantime, don’t hover over her and make an invalid out of her. Be as normal as possible. Treat her as usual making sure she understands the importance of taking the medication as prescribed.”
Hillary enrolled in school the next day, but Trina didn’t get to meet her. The twins were pleased that Hillary was in a couple of their classes. They introduced her to other students and made her feel welcome.
On Saturday the twins went to visit Hillary and meet her family. “Let’s go see Trina. It’s time you two got acquainted.” Trina and Hillary became instant friends. They told Hillary about Canine Wonders and were so excited and interested to visit and learn more about the school.
The following week Mr. Coramex drove the twins, Trina and Hillary to Canine Wonders. They were impressed. “I want to be a volunteer, too,” Hillary told John. “I’m willing to work hard and follow directions.”
“Come with the boys next Saturday and give it a try to see if you’re still willing to help us. We’ll be happy to have you.”
Several days later, when Trina was visiting Hillary, the two girls were listening to music and dancing around. Suddenly Millie began to moan and run around Trina. “You silly clown,’ Hillary spoke sharply to her. She turned to laugh with Trina and gasped in horror as Trina fell with a seizure. “Mom. Dad. Come quickly.”
Mr. Coramex gently held Trina to keep her from banging her head while Mrs. Coramex called Mrs. Fuller. “We’ll take her to the hospital and meet you there,” she told Mrs. Fuller.
Again Dr. Hamilton was on duty. “The medication absolutely must be taken on schedule. I know it’s a horrible thing to happen to a young girl, but it has happened, and we have to deal with it. Trina, you probably won’t like what I’m going to say next. You must wear a special helmet anytime you’re away from your home. Then if you fall you won’t cause further injury to your head.”
Trina started to cry. “I’ll look like a monster. None of the kids will want to be around me. Some of them will make fun of me.”
“If they’re really your friends, they’ll want you to be safe and take care of yourself.” Dr. Hamilton hugged her. “Do this now because there’s a real good chance you’ll outgrow the seizures, or medication will stop them. I know you feel this isn’t fair, and it isn’t. Let’s work together and take good care of you so that you’ll be healthy and happy as an adult.”
The next day Trina reluctantly wore the helmet to school and told some of the students why she was wearing it. “Well look at it this way,” Tim laughed. “You won’t need to worry about a bad hair day because no one will see your hair.” He felt badly when Trina began to sob. Dori and Ellen rushed to her side.
“Shame on you, Tim. Don’t you have any compassion?” Doris glared. “Just remember it can happen to you, too.”
“Trina, I’m so sorry. I was trying to make you laugh and feel better.” Tim put an arm across her shoulders. “I’ll punch anyone in the nose who bothers you.”
Trina gulped and smiled. “It isn’t you, Tim. It’s this whole miserable situation. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. How long am I going to have to pay for the mistake of getting in the car with the wrong person? Pay no attention to me. Just call me Weeping Willow,” she tried to giggle.
The bell rang signaling classes were starting. Tim put his arm around Trina as they walked through the mass of hurrying, pushing students.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The next visit with David was so successful that the twins hated to leave. David not only walked on his own beside Chuckles, but attempted to run a few steps. Hope had kept a small group of children occupied, but she kept an eye on David. The children laughed as they threw a ball and Hope ran to get it. A few times Hope slung her head and threw the ball in the air and then jumped to catch it.
“Bye, Chuckles. See you later.” David sang out. He now knew that this friend would return. He hugged both Hope and Chuckles.
“Look at the dogs,” Tom laughed. “They’re acting like little kids, hanging back and hating to leave.”
A nurse hurried to talk to the twins. “We don’t know how much longer David will be with us. He’s well enough now to be moved. Thanks to you and the dogs he’s much happier.”
That night after dinner, Tom and Tim told their parents about David’s progress and their fears about his adoption. “I wish we could take him,” Tom said. “I want to know who adopts him so that I can tell them to get him a dog and sing with him.” After the twins went to bed, Herb and Irene talked for over an hour about David.
The day was free for the students because it was a teachers’ work day. The gang had planned to meet in City Park and play the girls against the boys in soccer. As Trina ran down one side, Hillary’s dog suddenly took off after her moaning and carrying on. Hope ran beside her, not making a sound, but not taking here eyes off Trina. Tom had a brainstorm.
“Trina. Sit Down.” She looked perplexed at him. “Sit. Down. Now!” She sat and Hope positioned herself across Trina’s legs and kept staring into her face. Millie ran circles around her. Suddenly Trina sunk over and started to twitch. Hope wouldn’t even let the twins near Trina. She growled at all of them if they came near.
Mark was spluttering in his anxiety. “Tom, how in the world did you know to tell her to sit down? How did you know she was going to have a seizure? What’s wrong with Millie and why is Hope so defensive?” Questions came from all the teens.
“Whoa. I can answer only one question at a time. I’ve been thinking about the two times the dogs were with Trina when she had a seizure. Remember? Millie made moaning sounds and ran around her. I think the dogs are picking up nerve stimulus of some kind or maybe there’s a chemical change in her body that they smell. You know there are dogs that can detect cancer by the smell. I’ve been reading about this, but don’t have answers. I can’t explain it, but I want to talk to John.”
As Trina became aware of where she was, she tried to get up. Hope kept pushing her back and wouldn’t let her stand. After a few minutes two of the girls helped Trina up, but Hope stayed beside her.
“I think Hope feels Trina got up too quickly,” Tim smiled.
“Come on, Tim. Let’s get Trina home.” Tom put a supporting arm around her and Hope pranced right by her side.
When the twins were back at their house, Tom called John and told him all that had happened. “How extraordinary. I’d like to see both Millie and Hope and talk to the owner of Millie.”
Hillary and her parents brought M
illie to Canine Wonders. Millie ran happily in the fenced-in yard with Hope and a couple of school dogs. Trina and her parents soon followed. The young people told John what had happened all three times when Trina had a seizure and the dogs were near.
“I’d like permission to keep both dogs at the school and give evaluate them. They could be given special training as alert dogs. I’ve never trained an alert dog, but I have friends who can do the job. I’ve learned they’re being used all over the United States.”
“But she’s my dog,” Hillary wailed. “You can’t just take my dog.”
“Of course not,” John soothed her. “I assumed you’d be willing for the dog to have training that would make her useful to someone. Forgive me. I got excited, but don’t intend to force you to give up your dog.”
“Hillary,” Mr. Coramex said firmly, “if your dog can help a person in need, wouldn’t you be proud of her and want to help that person?” She kept her head down with tears running down her cheeks, but said nothing.
The atmosphere grew lighter when Hope ran through a doggie door, but Millie couldn’t make it. Tom walked over and opened the door for Millie to walk through. “Hey, old lady. You’re just too long-legged for that hole.” Millie grinned at him and slapped Tom’s legs with her muscular tail.
“Please, Hillary,” Trina begged. “I don’t know what it is, but your dog seems to know when I’m going to --uh-be sick. Hope is quieter because she’s older, but she’s a big help, too. Daddy will buy you another dog, won’t you, Daddy.”
“You are so selfish, just thinking of yourself.” Hillary almost screamed. “It’s my dog and I’ve had her since she was weaned.”
“Hillary,” her father spoke sharply. “We’re not going to force you to give up your dog. We just felt that you are mature enough to make the choice to help others. Besides, you’d get her back. I am so embarrassed,” he said to the group. “Let’s go home, Hillary, and talk it over.”