A Boxer's Story

Every house on the block was decorated for Halloween - pumpkins lining the steps leading to the front porches, ghostly figures lined in the front lawns, a witch's hat on either side of the front doors, cackling noises played over stereos on the front porches, and a welcome greeting hanged on the front doors - Happy Halloween!  Welcome Trick or Treaters!

Danny loved this time of year because he got to dress in anything his imagination desired.  Otherwise, however, he did not look forward to leaving his home and going to school.

Danny was eleven years old and well into the sixth grade.  His seating chart in ever class was in the back of every room.  He often strained his eyes to see the blackboard because for some reason, his teachers wrote in small print.

One day, Danny came home early with a headache.

"Mom, I just can't see across the rooms.  What should I do?"

"Well, I think we should get your sight checked."

When they went to the eye doctor, Danny struggled to read the finer print in the eye chart.

"Okay, Mrs. Lawrence, your son has severe difficulty seeing long distance and if gone untreated, he could experience physical ill symptoms.  I am going to write a prescription for glasses.  Is this okay with you, buddy?" the doctor spoke warmly.

Danny nodded yes.

He picked out the frames he liked and had the prescription lenses placed in the frames.  He felt more at ease now...

...Until his classmates started making fun of him and the glasses he loved so much.  He no longer had headaches from poor vision, but now had headaches from his bullies at school.

The only friend Danny ever trusted was his dog, Boxer, a Boxer breed he simply named Boxer.  They played together.  They took naps together.  They truly were inseparable.  Boxer was very protective of his family - especially Danny.  Boxer was never afraid to show off his breed's natural boxing nature when he felt his family was in need of guarding.

On this Halloween, Danny chose to look like a tough guy boxer.  As he left his home to go trick or treating, Boxer trotted alongside.  Danny felt safe.  He was a tough guy tonight.  His trusted companion was with him.  And he could see clearly with his favorite glasses.  He enjoyed his favorite holiday of the year...

...Until the bullies approached him and started saying mean things that this time made him cry.  When this made them keep going with hurtful words, Boxer showed off his breed's boxing nature.  His companion needed him now more than ever.

Boxer raised his body and began making boxing motions as if he was in a boxing ring.  He also growled.

"Okay, okay!  We're sorry!  We'll never be a bother again!"

The bullies ran away and never bothered Danny again.

Danny and Boxer had quite the story to tell for some time to come.

Heart of Gold

Dean was not well on this beautiful summer day.  He was not well for some time.  He called in sick every day and found any way to not go outside his apartment, let alone his apartment building.  He lived alone and kept in touch with the outside world by phone and email.  He just refused to go out.  This made him sad, but but he did not know what to do because he did not know what exactly was wrong with him.

One day, Dean came across an advertisement online for telemedicine in psychiatry.  What is telemedicine, he thought to himself.  He explored the doctor featured in the ad.  She specialized in anxiety and depression with additional treatment in phobias, especially agoraphobia.  What is agoraphobia, he thought to himself.  The doctor's website stated the definition of agoraphobia as extreme fear of being in public or crowded places, leaving one's home, or being in places from which escape is difficult.  This fear causes intense panic and helplessness.  This phobia is generally self-diagnosed, there is no cure, and can last for years or lifelong.

"Hmm.  This sounds familiar," Dean thought out loud.

He wrote down every emotion he felt when he looked outside.  He wrote down every reason he considered to not leave his home.  He wrote down the contact information for the doctor.

The next day, Dean called Dr. Carol Sands for an initial diagnosis by phone.  He was very detailed with his symptoms.  Dr. Sands knew immediately what Dean suffered from - Panic Disorder and agoraphobia.  As of the initial consult, they spoke by phone weekly for care and therapy.

Knock, knock

"Who is it?" Dean called out.

"Hi Dean!  It's Rick!"

Dean opened the door to a rather shocking surprise.

Rick trained dogs for service to disabled people - whether physical or psychiatric.  He was close with Dean and knew Dean had not been well for quite some time.  So he had an idea.

"Dean, I would like to introduce you to Jules.  She is a one-year-old Golden Retriever.  I have been training her for psychiatric service.  She is especially helpful for those with chronic anxiety and fear.  Now, I'm not saying..."

Dean was not listening to Rick because he was so engaged with Jules...outside of his apartment.

"You can keep her if you want."

"Really?!"

"Yep, but on one condition.  Let her do her job for your condition."

With those words in mind, Dean did exactly that.  He took Jules outside everyday for necessary exercise and potty breaks.  He took Jules to the local park to play.  He took Jules to public places that must allow service dogs.  He went out.

With the help of Dr. Sands and Jules, Dean began a slow but certain recovery from his agoraphobia and Panic Disorder.

Jules truly had a heart of gold.

Lauren the Bulldog

On this Christmas Eve,

Snowflakes filled the air.  The cold frosted the windows.  The fresh Evergreen tree was rich with ornaments and sparkling white lights.  Houses along the block were decorated on the front lawns and lined with colorful lights.  Fireplaces flickered with wood-burning flames, leaving a lasting intoxicating aroma through the chimneys.  Carolers joyfully sang from home to home.  Some families opened their Christmas gifts on Christmas Day.  The Taylor family always chose to celebrate on Christmas Eve - a delicious dinner and dessert topped off with so many presents.  Santa gifts and stocking stuffers were enjoyed on Christmas Day.

Lauren Taylor was seven years old and put quite a stamp on her personality.  She was loyal and loving.  She was dedicated to her family.  She excelled in the second grade and in all activities because what defined her the most was her profound determination and sometimes stubbornness to complete every task she was given.

Lauren loved Bulldogs, especially English Bulldogs, because their personality was a lot like hers.  She was an only child and had only a few friends at school.  She wanted very much to have a companion just like her...just like the English Bulldog.  Her room was decorated with English Bulldog stuffed animals and bed linens designed with an English Bulldog pattern.  Lauren eagerly looked forward to this Christmas holiday because her mom and dad promised her a dog after her seventh birthday.

On this Christmas Eve, then...

"A puppy!  An English Bulldog puppy!  Thank you, Daddy!  Thank you, Mommy!"

"You have been so good this year, Lauren.  You are now seven.  You deserve your special wish.  Merry Christmas, honey," Lauren's mom said warmly.

Lauren happily looked to her father, who happily asked,

"What are you going to name your little one, sweetheart?"

"I think...Yes, I would like to name her Lauren."

"But that is your name!" Lauren's mom and dad exclaimed.

"I don't care.  English Bulldogs are just like me.  I want to name her Lauren," Lauren said in determined stubbornness.

"Lauren the Bulldog, huh?" Lauren's mom and dad supposed.

Lauren and her new pup were lost in loving play.

Welcome home, Lauren the Bulldog

Scottie Christmas

Dear Santa,

As you know, I am now ten years old and am in the fifth grade.  My writing is much better since you last read a note from me.  When I was six years old, I wished for a Cocker Spaniel puppy.  I will always remember that holiday year because you made my wish come true.  I named her Lucy and she is my best friend.  My Christmas wish this year is a Scottish Terrier to be Lucy's doggie friend.  I would like a Scottish Terrier because my new favorite movie is called "Scottie to the Rescue!".  Lucy is sometimes sad because she does not have a doggie friend to play with now that she is a little bit older.  I would like a Scottie to come to the rescue and cheer her up.  Please make my wish come true, Santa.

Thank you!

Sammy

Knock, Knock

"Come in!" Sammy called out as he finished practicing his cursive signature on the very important letter to Santa.  This letter would be his last because although Sammy could always believe in Santa, he simply was too old to write to Santa.

"Sammy, it's time for bed," said Sammy's dad.

"Okay.  Can I go downstairs to leave my note to Santa with the plate of cookies?"

"All right, but hurry up.  Santa is very busy on this Christmas Eve."

Sammy dashed out of his bedroom, raced down the stairs, and for the last time placed his letter to Santa Claus next to a delicious plate of chocolate cookies he always tempted to take.  "Those cookies are for Santa!" was the shout from Sammy's parents every year.

Once back in bed, Sammy's dad tucked him into his dog-themed bed sheet and comforter - a love that would never get old.

"Have I been good boy this year, Dad?"

"You are always good, my little Sam.  Now go to sleep."

The time was nearly midnight.  Sammy was fast asleep.  Gentle snow fell outside.  Sparkling Christmas lights twinkled in every home and in every front yard.  Peaceful silence.

Until there arose such a clatter - a noise he knew of once before...when he was six years old and met Santa.  Is Santa here again?

Sammy quietly got out of bed and opened his bedroom door, slowly walked down the staircase, and gasped a bit too loud.

"Well hello again, Sammy.  How are you?"

"I - I'm okay."

"I read your letter, Sammy.  Your handwriting and spelling are excellent!"

"Thank you, Santa!  I know I made a lot of mistakes with my last letter."

Santa lightly laughed and said,

"That is okay.  You were just learning."

"Santa, I have to tell you something."

"What's up?"

"Well, I cannot write to you anymore.  My mom and dad said that I am getting too old to write letters at Christmas time."

"Sammy, I will always be with you in spirit.  You never have to feel sorry for not writing to me...In fact, do you see that round, blue and white striped box?"

Just like Lucy, Sammy excitedly thought to himself as he dashed to the mysteriously moving box.

"It's a Scottish Terrier puppy!"

Goodbye, Sammy.  You will always be a good boy.

Santa magically disappeared for the last time he would visit and honor Sammy's Christmas wish.

When she heard a happy bark coming from downstairs, Lucy ran down to see a new addition to the family.  She would have a doggie friend!

"Lucy, what do you think of Scottie?"

Lucy happily barked.

Sammy, Lucy, and Scottie played for a long time until they all fell asleep as the sun rose on the best Christmas Sammy would ever have.