This is a true story about our amazing therapy dog, Bea, retold here with permission from the family. Names and details have been changed at their request.
"Help me. Please help me."
Darlene twisted in the bed, the words falling as fast as raindrops. Alzheimer's disease might have taken the understanding of her surroundings, but not her will to control them. She unsuccessfully tried to sit up.
"Please, Mama, you have to lay down," said her son Jason, for the hundredth time. The move from the hospital to the Hospice House had both exhausted and scared his mother. "Don't try to get up. You need to stay in bed."
Darlene ignored him. "Help me. He'p-me-please." She tugged at the blankets, frustrated.
Jason sighed. If she were in pain, we could give her a pill or something, he thought wearily, but she's not in physical pain. She's lost, and confused, and panicking. "I'm here, Mama," he said, reaching for her hand. "Jason's here. It's alright."
"He'p-me," demanded Darlene.
"We're doing all we can to help you. You're in the Hospice House now. They're taking good care of you. Please, you need to lay down and rest."
From the foot of the bed, Jason's sister Sarah ran a hand across her brow. "Isn't there something else we can do? Something else to give her?"
"She's already had the anxiety meds," Jason answered. "This is actually better. If you think she's bad now, you should have seen her on the ride over."
"I know. I'm sorry. I just feel so helpless," said Sarah, squeezing her eyes shut. "What if -- Could we --"
The door creaked.
Jason and Sarah both jumped. The door swung inward, degree by slow degree. "Hello?" asked Jason.
At ground level, a white, furry head peeked around the door, her eyes inquiring.
"Well, who's this?" he grinned. The smile made him realize he'd been frowning for hours.
"It's Bea, the therapy dog," Sarah said. "They talked about her at the admission meeting, remember?"
"Hi there, Bea. Come on in," he invited.
Bea stepped one paw around the door, then another. She surveyed the room, taking note of the restless patient in the bed. As if in greeting, she walked directly to Sarah and dipped her head. It was almost a bow.
"You sweet thing," Sarah cooed, rubbing Bea's curly fur. "How precious you are."
Bea gave a quick wag in response and stepped toward Jason. She stopped at a respectful distance, waiting for him to make the first move. Jason dropped to one knee and held out his hand. After a quick sniff, Bea nuzzled his palm, ready for a pet. Jason scratched behind her ears, and Bea immediately rolled over for a belly rub. Sarah and Jason laughed.
"He'p?" said Darlene, looking around.
All business, Bea sat up and sniffed the air, her muzzle pointed toward Darlene. Her sensitive nose twitched. She looked at Sarah, then pointed back to the bed.
"I think she wants up there with Mom," said Sarah. "What do you think?"
Jason shrugged. "I dunno. She seems very calm. Want to try?"
Sarah gave Bea a reassuring pat and lifted her. Bea balked at Sarah's grasp, disliking the sensation of being picked up, but went still when she saw her destination was the bed. As surefooted as a tightrope walker, she padded up the blanket, carefully avoiding Darlene and the in-bed medical equipment.
"Help. Please," Darlene told her, her voice rising with -- excitement? Joy?
Jason and Sarah held their breath. Darlene stared at Bea, her eyes wide. Bea waited patiently, her nose twitching. Jason took his mother's hand in his own and guided it across Bea's soft, curly fur.
"Ohhhhh," Darlene breathed. It was a sound of pure happiness.
Sarah gave a half-laugh, half-sob as Bea turned a circle and nested into the covers against Darlene's waist. Darlene settled into her pillow, her hand roaming through the little dog's curls. After a few moments, she yawned. As her two tired children and one attentive poodle watched, Darlene fell asleep.
Bea shot a look at Jason that said, Was that a snore?
Jason gently lifted Darlene's hand and tucked it into the covers. Bea waited until he was finished, then backed away carefully from her sleeping patient. She hopped to the floor and gave a quick full-body shake. Her collar tinkled like a tiny bell.
"Good girl, Bea," said Sarah, smiling.
"Bye now, Bea," grinned Jason.
Bea lifted her chin in goodbye and tiptoed from the room.
"Guess she had to go see her next patient," Sarah murmured.
"Guess so. What a great dog," said Jason.
As if in agreement, Darlene gave a loud snore. She snuggled into her pillow. Jason reached over and turned out the light.
Monday, January 23, 2012
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