Nana

John was fast asleep in his crib.  His two-year-old toddler energy was exhausted from the day spent playing outside in the summer weather with his older siblings and family Newfoundland dog, Nana.  His brother and sister were cuddled in their parents' bed for story time. Nana was on the bed too, pawing at words they could not pronounce and needed help with from their mom and dad.

"And Benjamin lived happily ever after.  The end.

"Okay you two, it is time for bed."

"But Mom," argued five-year-old Jeffery and seven-year-old Jill.

"No, no.  You both had a long day playing outside.  You need to rest now."

Nana pawed on Jeffery's arm and Jill's arm in agreement with their mom.  Nana did this every night and they knew that "The End" did mean bedtime.

Mom, Jeffery, Jill, and Nana slowly walked to their shared bedroom (with John).  Jeffery and Jill collapsed into their beds, deeply yawning and slowly drifting to sleep before their mom could whisper goodnight and kiss their foreheads.  She patted Nana gently on her head, whispered goodnight to her as well, and left with the door open ever so slightly.

Nana was more than the family dog.  In her doggie way, she helped take care of John, Jeffery, and Jill.  When they were outside, she was outside.  On rainy or snowy days, she kept them company.  She spent every night in their room.  Her loving nature cheered them up when they were down.  Her older age agreed with their mom and dad.  In her doggie way, Nana was a third parent.  Nana, then, was very special.

The next day was a very beautiful summer day.  Mom was inside making lunch for the family.  Nana was outside looking after the children who were playing in the backyard pool.  She was also a doggie lifeguard for the family as she enjoyed water.

Nana was a beloved dog in the neighborhood for her gentle, loving, and protective ways.  All of the children loved to pet her.  All of the parents took great relief knowing she cared for not just for her own but also for others.  Nana, then, was very special.

On this summer day,, their neighbor's six-year-old son, Alex, wandered into the wooded area just beyond the backyard.  The plentiful leaves on the many trees lining the wooded area hid a babbling brook.  Nana saw Alex come out into his backyard but paid more attention to Jill, Jeffery, and John with his water wings playing in the pool.  All of a sudden though...

"Help!  Help me!  I don't know how to swim!  Help!" Alex screamed in the most fearful of ways.

Nana shot upright and dashed for the wooded area.

Both moms reacted quickly.

Alex's mom raced to where she heard her son's voice.

Jill, Jeffery, and John's mom called 9-1-1.

By Newfoundland breed nature, Nana knew how to do water rescue.  Today, her breed nature would be put to the test.

"Alex!  Alex, honey!" shouted his mom as she saw him being rescued by Nana.

"Mom!  I...I'm okay!  Nana saved me!"

As Alex's mom's eyes swelled with relieving tears, the fire department arrived to take over the rescue.

The firemen wrapped Alex in a warm blanket, carried him out of the wooded area, and brought him back home.  Nana followed behind.  She, like Alex's parents and the firemen, wanted to make sure he would be okay.

"Okay, buddy, you are safe now.  Will you  promise us and your mommy and daddy that you will never go into the wooded area alone again?"

Alex nodded yes with a slight shiver from the cool water.

"Son, go to your room and dry off...You're not in trouble," said Alex's dad as Alex looked to him in thought that he would be in trouble.

The firemen and Alex's parents turned to Nana.

"Thank you so much, Nana," said Alex's dad as he patted her on her head.

"Yes, thank you, Nana," said Alex's mom with a big hug.

"Nana, you were quite the hero!" exclaimed one of the firemen.

Jill, Jeffery, and John's mom came over after getting her own little ones out of the pool.

Nana did not think she was a hero.  Nana was just doing her job as a doggie parent.

On this beautiful summer day, everyone - adults and children - declared special honor just for Nana.

"Will you be an honorary caregiver to Alex, Nana?" asked his mom and dad.

Nana happily barked in a yes.