Grover, Benji and Nanna Jean

by Claire Garth

  ‘Oh, Grover!’ Benji exclaimed. ‘This is so WONDERFUL! I feel like I can see it all again, the trees and the birds and the flowers. Nancy and I used to smell the flowers in the garden every day. Roses were her favourite, and mine too. They were big and red, with lots of layers of petals. I hope I always remember what they look like. I’d hate to forget that.’

  ‘I’ll tell you what,’ said Grover, ‘when we get home, why don’t you explain to me what a rose looks like. Then, if I ever see one, I can bring it to you so that you can smell it again and never forget.’

  ‘I’d like that very much, Grover,’ Benji replied.

  Grover couldn’t be certain, but he thought he might have seen a happy tear in Benji’s eye.

  CHAPTER 5

  Annie parked the car at the end of Cavendish Lane. From the back-seat window, Grover could see a fluffy tail waving back and forth on their front porch.

  Mr Tibbles.

  ‘Oh, that cat drives me CRAZY!’ Grover exclaimed.

  ‘Cat? What cat?’ Benji asked.

  ‘Mr Tibbles, the cat from next door,’ Grover said. ‘He’s bossy and rude, and he thinks he can go wherever he wants, whenever he wants. And he’s not even scared of me!’

  ‘A cat that’s NOT scared of a dog?’ Benji said. ‘How strange. Maybe he’ll be scared of two dogs, if we walk up together.’

  ‘No offence, Benji, but I really don’t think so,’ Grover said.

  The two dogs jumped down out of the car, and crossed the road with Annie. Grover looked in both directions for cars, just like David had taught him. He checked extra carefully this time, now that he had to look after Benji too.

  As they w alked up the s treet to the house, Grover told Benji all about Cavendish Lane.

  ‘My friend Boris the German shepherd lives in this house. He used to be an actual police dog. And my friend Hamish the terrier lives down that street. He has more energy than any dog I’ve ever met!’

  ‘You’re lucky to have so many friends, Grover,’ said Benji.

  ‘I know,’ said Grover. ‘Having real friends is the best thing in the world. As well as my humans, Annie and David, of course.’

  Grover looked at Benji and suddenly felt bad. Oh no! he thought. Poor Benji. He doesn’t have his human anymore, and here I am talking about how great mine are!

  Grover wasn’t sure what to say next, so he didn’t say anything at all.

  ‘This neighbourhood smells wonderful,’ said Benji. ‘There are so many flowers. My Nancy would have liked it here,’ he added sadly.

  Grover felt awful. What should he do? He wished he could ask Annie – she always knew the right thing to say. He looked around for her, but she was standing at the gate, chatting with the neighbour. Perhaps I can talk to her tonight, Grover thought.

  Benji and Grover left Annie at the gate and headed towards the house.

  ‘Head in the clouds again, Dog?’ said a familiar voice. ‘Or are you ignoring me? If I didn’t know better, I’d think that you were trying to hurt my feelings. But wait, I’ve just remembered – I don’t care about you. MWAHAHAHAHA!’

  It was that horrible Mr Tibbles.

  ‘I don’t have time to argue with you today, Mr Tibbles. I’m busy working,’ Grover replied. He leant in close to Benji and whispered that there were three steps up to the front door.

  Mr Tibbles looked at the small fluffy dog climbing slowly up the stairs.

  ‘Got yourself a TEDDY BEAR, have you, Dog? Do you need to cuddle it? Do you need a hug, Dog? HA HA!’ said Mr Tibbles, mocking Grover.

  ‘My word,’ Benji said. ‘You’re a very rude cat.’

  ‘Why should I listen to you?’ said Mr Tibbles. ‘You look more like a toy than a real dog.’

  ‘I am a real dog,’ said Benji calmly, ‘and if I didn’t have better manners I would say something nasty about you.’

  ‘Just one more step, Benji, you’re almost there,’ Grover said, guiding Benji up onto the porch.

  ‘What’s with all the directions, Dog? Doesn’t your new wind-up toy know how to get up the stairs?’ Mr Tibbles said.

  ‘My friend Benji is blind,’ Grover replied. ‘I’m helping him get inside because he’s staying over tonight.’

  ‘Blind?’ said Mr Tibbles, with a curious smile. ‘Well, Toy Dog, I hope you’re not looking for a new home, because I don’t know a human in the world who would want a dog like you.’

  Grover couldn’t believe his ears. It was quite possibly the nastiest thing he had ever heard anyone say.

  ‘YOU TAKE THAT BACK!’ Grover barked.

  Benji lowered his head.

  ‘Have I offended your little friend, Dog?’ Mr Tibbles a sked, g leefully twirling his whiskers with his paws.

  ‘RUUUUUUUFFFF!’ Grover gave an almighty bark, but Mr Tibbles didn’t even flinch.

  ‘Grover, are you barking at that cat again?’ Annie called as she ran up the stairs. ‘Benji, don’t you learn any of these bad habits! He’s a naughty boy for barking at cats. Come on, you two, inside.’

  Grover knew he was in trouble, but it was worth it. Annie hadn’t heard what Mr Tibbles had said. If she had, she would have been proud of Grover for sticking up for his friend. Grover was sure of it.

  CHAPTER 6

  Once they were inside, Grover showed Benji around the house. There was one bed upstairs, in Annie and David’s room. There was one in the front sitting room, by the fireplace. The last bed was in the back room near the kitchen, and that was where the two dogs settled for a little nap.

  When Grover woke up, he saw that Benji was already awake.

  ‘Do you think that cat was right, Grover?’ Benji asked.

  The words stung Grover like he’d stood on a thistle.

  ‘Do you think there are any humans out there who would want an old dog like me?’ Benji went on.

  That mean cat! I wish I could just make him DISAPPEAR! Grover thought.

  ‘Of course someone will want you,’ Grover said. ‘Don’t let Mr Tibbles bring you down. He’s a mean old cat with no friends and no manners.’

  ‘He’s definitely rude,’ said Benji, ‘but he still might have a point. I’m not sure anyone will ever love me like my Nancy did.’

  Mr Tibbles has a point, alright, Grover thought. And that point is to be an annoying busybody!

  ‘I know what w ill cheer you up,’ Grover said, jumping up from the bed and running over to Annie. ‘The park!’

  ‘Oh, I haven’t been to a park in years!’ Benji said, his ears perking up.

  ‘I don’t suppose I could interest you two in a quick trip to the —’ Annie hadn’t even finished her sentence before Grover had raced to the front door.

  ‘Come on, Benji, follow my voice!’ Grover barked from the hallway.

  ‘Am I almost there?’ Benji called, as he edged closer to the front door.

  ‘Just five more steps,’ said Grover. ‘One, two, three, four …’

  ‘FIVE!’ barked Benji, as he reached the door.

  Annie bent down and clipped on the dogs’ leads, and then they ran outside.

  ‘I can smell that nasty cat,’ Benji said, as they walked down the lane.

  ‘Me too,’ Grover replied, looking around for Mr Tibbles. ‘But I can’t see him anywhere.’

  ‘That makes two of us!’ Benji said, laughing.

  When they reached the park, there were dogs everywhere! Grover and Benji walked right around the park, Grover watching carefully to make sure that Benji didn’t run into anything.

  Just as they were about to head back to Annie, Grover heard someone barking in the distance.

  ‘GROVER, YOU’RE HERE!’ barked a scruffy black dog. It was Hamish.

  ‘Hi, Hamish,’ Grover called back. ‘Come and meet my new friend Benji.’

  ‘Hey, Benji! Want to play catch?’ Hamish called, as he flicked a tennis ball towards Benji.

  ‘Hamish, NOOO!’ Grover barked, but it was too late. The ball had already hit Benji right in the nose.

  ‘OWWWWWW!
’ Benji howled.

  ‘Sorry!’ Hamish called, as he ran over to make sure Benji was okay. ‘Don’t you know how to catch?’

  ‘Benji is blind,’ said Grover, ‘so he couldn’t see the ball.’

  ‘Oh,’ Hamish said, looking very guilty. ‘I’m sorry!’

  ‘It’s okay. You didn’t know,’ Benji said. ‘No harm done. I’m fine.’

  ‘See, Benji, I told you Hamish has a lot of energy,’ said Grover, giggling.

  ‘So can we play now, guys, can we?’ Hamish said, bouncing around.

  ‘GROVER! BENJI! Home time!’ Annie called across the park.

  ‘Sorry, Hamish, we have to go,’ Grover said. ‘But I promise I’ll be back tomorrow, okay?’

  ‘Oh, okay,’ Hamish said sadly.

  But he didn’t stay sad for too long.

  ‘Bye, Benji! It was nice to meet you,’ Hamish said. ‘And sorry about your nose. I can bring a soft ball tomorrow. A very soft ball, made from wool. I have about a million of them. I’ll find the softest one I can, okay?’

  ‘Thanks, Hamish, you’re a good pup. It was very nice to meet you too,’ Benji said, before he and Grover headed back to where Annie was standing.

  The two dogs walked home happily tired. But as they went up the stairs to the front door, Mr Tibbles was there.

  ‘Still no home, Toy Dog?’ he said, sneering.

  ‘Oh, buzz off,’ Grover replied, as he and Benji walked past.

  ‘I’ll tell you what, Dog, if you can find a human who wants that broken, pathetic Toy Dog then I will leave your porch for good,’ Mr Tibbles announced.

  ‘Really?’ asked Grover, stepping back outside.

  ‘Really,’ grinned Mr Tibbles. ‘There’s just one catch.’

  ‘Oh yeah, what’s that?’ Grover asked.

  ‘You have to do it by tomorrow,’ Mr Tibbles said slyly. ‘If he’s gone by the end of the day, you can have your porch back. If he’s not, then I’m here for good.’

  ‘Challenge accepted,’ Grover said, as he marched inside. ‘Start packing, Mr Tibbles.’

  CHAPTER 7

  After dinner, Grover and Benji settled down on the bed near the fireplace. Grover was worried. He wanted to find Benji the perfect new home and prove Mr Tibbles wrong. But how could he possibly do it in just one day?

  ‘Do you really think you can find me a new human by tomorrow, Grover?’ Benji asked. He looked so excited.

  ‘Well …’ said Grover hesitantly, ‘I’m going to try.’

  Benji’s smile faded. ‘I thought it might be too good to be true,’ he said.

  ‘Okay, you two, time for bed,’ said Annie. ‘We’ve got a big day tomorrow.’ She led them up the stairs.

  The next day was Therapy Day, Grover’s favourite day of the week. It was when Grover and Annie visited the wonderful place where all the grandparents lived. The grandparents always gave Grover oodles of pats and treats, and loads of back scratches and belly rubs. They also always had CAKE. Although Grover wasn’t allowed to eat any, they couldn’t stop him sniffing!

  But just as he was getting excited about the next day, Grover realised something terrible.

  If we’re not at the shelter tomorrow, how will I ever be able to find Benji a home? Grover thought.

  When the sun came up the next morning, Grover had barely slept a wink. He’d spent all night worrying about how to find Benji the perfect home.

  Benji needed to live somewhere where there would always be humans around, so he didn’t get scared on his own. Most of the humans who Grover had met had to go to work every day, which meant that they couldn’t stay home with Benji.

  And how was Grover going to find a place where it wouldn’t matter that Benji was a bit deaf and couldn’t really see? It certainly couldn’t have any stairs, Grover thought.

  Oh, it was all TOO HARD! Grover had been thinking all night, but he still hadn’t come up with a plan. He felt awful.

  Benji woke up and let out a huge yawn. Grover looked down at him. He didn’t know how to tell his new friend that he didn’t think they would be finding him a new home today.

  ‘Okay, you two, are you ready for a day of cuddles and pats at the Aged Care Home?’ Annie called, as she stood over the dogs’ bed.

  The Aged Care Home was the name of the place with all the grandparents. Grover had never understood why they didn’t just call it the Grandparents’ Home. That sounds much nicer, he thought.

  ‘Are you feeling okay, Grover?’ David said. ‘You didn’t pester me for a walk this morning. That’s not like you!’

  A walk? There’s no time for a walk today! Grover thought sadly. To feel better, he went over to David and leant against his leg for a pat.

  ‘He doesn’t seem like himself, Annie,’ David said, crouching down to look Grover in the eye. ‘Was he okay yesterday?’

  Annie looked down at Grover with concern. ‘We did have a busy day in the office, so maybe he’s just tired,’ she said. ‘I’ll keep an eye on him today.’

  Grover was so worried about Benji, he didn’t even finish all of his breakfast.

  That had NEVER happened before!

  When Annie clipped on the dogs’ leads and walked them outside, Grover was not at all surprised to see a certain cat waiting on the porch.

  ‘The clock is ticking, Dog,’ Mr Tibbles jeered. ‘Tick, tock.’

  Grover didn’t have the energy to bark at Mr Tibbles. He guided Benji down the three stairs and into the car. He HAD to find Benji the perfect home today, or he’d never hear the end of it from that horrible cat!

  As Annie drove towards the Aged Care Home, Grover described all the things he could see to Benji: traffic lights, parks, street signs, coffee shops. There was even a postman on a huge motorbike! Benji liked hearing about that.

  ‘Do you think my new human will describe things to help me see?’ Benji asked.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Grover replied. ‘I hope so.’ He REALLY did, but he also knew that most humans would be too busy.

  ‘I’m sure we’ll spend all day together. Maybe in the garden, just like with Nancy. We’ll smell flowers, and nap in the sun,’ Benji said, smiling at the thought.

  Grover didn’t want to break Benji’s heart, but he felt like he should be honest.

  ‘You know, Benji,’ Grover said slowly, ‘most humans have to go to work, so it might take a little while to find someone who can stay home with you all day.’

  ‘You don’t think we’ll be able to find me a new human today, then?’ Benji asked, looking sad.

  ‘Maybe not,’ said Grover. ‘I’m sorry, Benji. But I promise we’ll find the right human for you soon.’

  ‘I understand,’ said Benji. ‘My Nancy was one in a million.’

  CHAPTER 8

  ‘We’re here!’ Annie announced, as she pulled into the car park.

  The Aged Care Home was a small brick building surrounded by huge trees. At the front there were big glass doors, which you needed a special code to open. They must have the special code so that people passing by can’t just go in and eat all the cake, Grover thought. Of course! That makes sense.

  While Annie went to the office to say hello to the Aged Care Home staff, Grover and Benji walked down the hallway. Grover described everything to Benji on the way.

  ‘On the left is a big room filled with tables and chairs – that’s where the grandparents eat the cake,’ Grover explained. ‘And on the right is the doorway to the garden. Straight ahead are all the grandparents’ rooms. That’s where they keep the treats, so we should definitely visit them first,’ Grover said, wagging his tail. He couldn’t wait!

  ‘I wonder if this is like the place where my Nancy went,’ Benji said. ‘I think she went somewhere that has other grandparents. But they didn’t let dogs visit there, not even for a few moments. I think she would have liked this place more!’

  Grover led Benji further down the hallway, telling him all about the residents as they went.

  ‘This is Mr Sam’s room – he gives the best pats
. Next to him is Grandma Lorna – she always has a special treat. Grandpa Jimmy is in this room next to Mr Jack – they are best friends. Here is Nonna Carmen’s room – she always has biscuits in there! And here is Nanna Jean’s. I love Nanna Jean. She gives the best back scratches.’

  ‘RUFF,’ Grover barked at the door.

  ‘Come in!’ Nanna Jean called.

  ‘Follow me, Benji,’ Grover said, and he pushed the door open.

  Nanna Jean’s room had a big window with a view of the park. In one corner there was a large comfy chair, covered in cushions, and in the other corner there was a big bed.

  Nanna Jean was sitting on the bed, and she had a bag of cookies on her lap. YUMMY!

  ‘Come on, then, up you get!’ she called to Grover.

  ‘You should jump up too, Benji,’ said Grover. ‘The bed isn’t too high. You’ll be able to reach it.’

  ‘Are you sure I’m allowed?’ Benji asked, worried that Nanna Jean hadn’t seen him yet.

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Grover said. ‘Nanna Jean will love you.’

  Grover jumped and, with a loud thump, landed on the bed. Not far behind him, with a much smaller thump, was Benji.

  ‘Who’s this?’ Nanna Jean said, smiling at Benji.

  Benji crawled forward, trying to sniff Nanna Jean and her bag of cookies.

  ‘Oh Grover, he’s ADORABLE!’ Nanna Jean cried.

  She leant forward to read Benji’s name tag. ‘BENJI. What a great name.’ She picked him up and gave him a cuddle.

  ‘Grover, she smells like roses,’ Benji said softly.

  ‘Here you are!’ said Annie, standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. ‘I’m sorry, Jean, this cheeky pair clearly couldn’t wait to say hello.’

  Ooops, I’m going to be in trouble for this later, Grover thought.

  ‘You know I love a visitor, Annie,’ said Nanna Jean. ‘I was just meeting Benji. What a beautiful little dog he is.’