Tucker
I watched Morgan check out her new yard, sniffing everything she could. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself. I was actually feeling quite lucky. I had this amazing new dog in my life, and I had Ryan again. I was feeling like my old self. It seemed I might be able to climb out of this hole after all.
Morgan tried to take her tennis ball with her wherever she went in the yard. It was quite the humorous sight. She kept coming over to me while I sat on a bench under a shady tree, checking on me every couple of minutes, taking time away from her exploring. It was surprising to see such empathy in a dog.
After she decided the yard was up to snuff, she came over to me, sat, and carefully placed her tennis ball at my feet after giving it one last squeak.
I knew what she was asking of me. I slowly bent over, picked up the ball, and tossed it into the yard. She did this cute thing with her head, tilting it first before her body followed, as she went after the ball. She brought it back to me, squeaking it the entire way back before dropping the wet ball at my feet again.
I was just about to throw it when I noticed Ryan watching by the back door. He was recording the whole interaction. Normally I wouldn’t let anyone record me or take my picture, but I appreciated what he was doing, saving this memory for me. I nodded at him, then tossed the ball out.
Morgan did the head tilt thing again. There was so much personality and joy in that response. I couldn’t fathom how my life had changed so suddenly, going from the dark to such light.
I heard a chuckle as she took off after the ball. Ryan was getting a kick out of her antics too. He slowly walked toward me, having finished recording. “Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not.”
We sat without speaking for a while. Morgan started alternating her ball drop with each of us, thoughtful dog that she was. After some time, she was panting really hard, and I realized she hadn’t had anything to drink since we had arrived.
“I think we need to go inside and get Morgan some water.” I grabbed my cane and slowly stood up. Ryan followed me. “Come on, Morgan.” I patted my good leg. “Let’s go inside.”
Morgan ran to my side, the ball still in her mouth.
Ryan held the door open for us and we went inside. The lights were on, and to the right of the sofa was Morgan’s new bed. Her dog bowls with food and water sat along the wall. The dog food bag was beside them, the bag folded over with a huge clip holding it close, and the big red scoop sitting on top.
“Wow, Ryan. You set everything up. Thank you.”
Ryan smiled at me. “No problem.”
Morgan found her water bowl and immediately started drinking. After she had her fill, she found her large purple bed, climbed on top of it, spun around a half-dozen times, then curled up in it to sleep.
Ryan motioned that I sit on the sofa then asked, “Can I get you something to drink?”
“I can get it. I know I need to do more for myself.”
“Well, you did a lot of walking today. Probably the most you’ve done in a while. Am I right?”
I nodded.
“Okay, then what can I get you?”
“Bottled water would be great. And please help yourself to anything you want.”
Ryan’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “I may just do that.”
I blushed, realizing my unintended innuendo.
Ryan winked at me before he took off for my kitchen.
I watched as Morgan slept soundly. I wondered if she slept a single moment since her previous owner had passed away.
Ryan came back with two bottles of water and sat beside me. I noticed the collar on the table along with the paperwork. He reached across the table and grabbed the collar and the tag that was taped on the top paper. He then put it on her collar along with the chip tag that was taped beside it. “When she wakes up, we’ll change this collar for the temporary one she has on. I hung up her leash by the front door.”
I nodded, then said emphatically, “Thank you, Ryan. For everything.”
“I’m happy you let me help you, Tucker. And soon we’ll start our training. But for the next few days, I want Morgan to get accustomed to her new home and to you. That will help her bond with you and be more receptive to training.”
“I know this must sound too soon, but I already feel so much better just having her here.”
“It makes sense. Dogs can heal our souls. It’s their unconditional love and trust that makes them perfect therapy animals. And you found yourself one exceptional dog in Morgan. Are you going to keep that name for her?”
“I was thinking about it. It was what her previous owner called her. I’d like to keep her name to honor him for her, and out of respect for Morgan. It suits her.”
Ryan smiled. “I agree.” He looked at his watch. “Well, I think I need to head out. I have to get back home to my dogs and give you two time to enjoy each other.” He stood up.
“I’ll put her new collar on when she wakes up. Thank you again.”
Ryan patted my shoulder and said softly, “I’ll see myself out. Lights on or off?”
“Off,” I whispered.
He hesitated for just a moment then turned the lights off. As he left, he was careful to close my massive front door slowly.
Morgan slept through Ryan’s leaving. She must have been really tuckered out.
I put my cane on the table, then leaned sideways on the sofa and decided to join her in slumber.
I had my first decent sleep since the accident.