Buck Vs. the Bulldog Ants

by David Kersey

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  "Cassie, Cassie," I was trying to arouse her shortly after the rooster woke me.

  "Good morning, Buck. Is it morning? Never mind, I see the daylight."

  "So do I."

  "What? What are you saying?"

  "Cassie, I stepped outside the kennel and remembered my way to the side of the garage. As soon as I cleared the corner of the garage, the black drapery over my eyes turned to a gold color. I must have been looking directly at the rising sun. When I turned away the gold color muted a little, but it didn't return to black. Cassie, what I am saying is that I have seen a color. And I still see it but it's a brownish shade. Do you know what that means?"

  "Uh, no, but I guess it means you are not color blind."

  "Right. Cassie, to change from constant darkness to a color, even briefly, gives me hope."

  "Oh, Buck, wouldn't it be wonderful if you could see again?"

  I heard the distinctive sound of John's boots approaching. "Cassie, help me get John to go with us to the side of the garage."

  "Good morning you two. I see you're up bright and early." Early yes, bright, no. Brown is not bright.

  Cassie put John's pant leg in her teeth and pulled. "Ok, where to now?"

  I followed them and could see faint dark brown shapes, darker than the field of solid brown. She stopped, sat, and faced east. When I sat beside her, the gold returned, maybe a tad brighter than before.

  "What is going on here? What are you telling me?"

  I am not sure what Cassie did, but whatever it was, it caused John to dial his cell phone.

  "Dr. Hatfield, this is John Christianson, call me when you get in please."

  It took only a minute for John's cell to ring. "Hello John. I was here when you called but couldn't answer, my hands were full with a bull dog in a bad mood. How's Buck doing?"

  "I think he's seeing something. Not sure what it is he sees but I'm sure he is trying to tell me that. If it's true what does that mean to you?"

  "John, if it's true, it means your puppy has a good chance to have his vision restored. It can only mean one thing. The pressure on the optic nerve is being reduced. The more reduction, the more signals will get through from the eye to the brain. It will depend on whether the pressure continues to reduce. How can you know he is seeing something?"

  "Because my dog is smart." I looked up at John and smiled. "Yeah, doc, he's telling me he sees something. In your opinion should I continue with planning to take him to Cleveland?"

  "Uh, well, John if you're sure he's seeing anything other than black you should wait right where you are. It all depends how enlarged the swelling is now and when the shrinking ends. There's a chance he'll be able to see again in my opinion. I'd put off Cleveland for now, but you've got to keep me informed, ok? And I want to see him again soon."

  "I will make an appointment. Thanks for what you've already done doctor. I'll keep you informed. But right now I have to answer an incoming call, goodbye Doc."

  John walked away while speaking with Sheriff Chip. Cassie and I continued to sit facing east. "Cassie, what did you do to cause John to call the vet?"

  "I put my paw on my eye and then pointed it at your eyes." John has more than just a smart dog, I thought.

  A brown blob appeared in the middle of the gold and it continually got bigger. Could it be that the blindness was returning? Oh no, I now saw half brown, half gold. Please, no!

  "Ggggoooodddd mmmmorrrnnninnnnggggg. Fffoolllloowww mmmeee."

  Mort led Cassie and me on the path to the meadow. I could see the brown blob in front of me and I knew it was Mort. The blob changed shape ever so slightly as we slowly made our way.

  "This is where the ant stung me," Cassie said. I knew right where we were at that point.

  The path turned southerly and the gold changed to caramel. I looked out at the meadow as we passed but it was not there, yet I could see it in my memory.

  "G'day mates."

  "G'day Ferd. How's things? Still have your kinfolk visiting?"

  "Flew da coupe dey did. Good thing, bout back to normal round here. Kins like fish, dey stot ta smell afta a few days."

  The familiar aromas of the corridor through the hardwoods was euphoric. I didn't realize how much I loved this spot. I did realize that there were joys to be found without eyesight. I could become an expert at differentiating the smells of the various trees and flowers and weeds, even. For some reason I felt like laughing. I had hope, and even if only this much sight returned I would take comfort with the hand dealt me. This may not turn out so bad, I thought.

  "Good morning Buck and Cassie." A chorus of voices greeted us as we arrived at the clearing. Cassie nudged me to my seat.

  "We're all here except for Felicia. We have something to say to you Buck." Oliver was the one speaking. Then Penny's voice took over.

  "Buck, we never did get around to solving the pigs versus the squirrels complaint. Well, after the last few days, we've grown up, Buck. We understand now how petty we were. After what has happened, we've changed."

  "Tha that's ri right Buh Buck."

  I said, "That is so good to hear. I know our circle has been broken with the loss of Wendell, and Dorcas, and maybe Felicia. Yet I believe we are stronger now than ever because of what has happened. When the ants had us pinned in I worried that we would break away in panic. But you didn't. I am so proud of you."

  Penny said, "We want you to know that Randall was a hero during the fight. When you went down he jumped over the line of ants, then turned to face them, and backed away from them at the same speed as they came after him. He saved our hides by drawing many of the ants away from us. That allowed us to gain the advantage and also destroy the ants coming at you. Then John came and it was over. We won."

  "Thank you Randall. Thank you all. I owe you."

  "No, Buck, we owe you. We have met all morning here praying for your sight to return."

  "You know, I think your prayers are being answered. Keep praying, I can see a little bit today, not much, but keep it up. Even if I don't get better I want you to know I love you for trying."

  "Should I start singing Kum ba yah?" And we all laughed at Methusaleh, and with him.