The Gift

IT APPEARS THAT THIS PIECE WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT FALL IN ONE OF THE  "CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL" BOOKS- IT WILL BE THE FOURTH STORY OF MINE TO REACH THE BOOKSTORES

He had been beaten blind as a puppy. When Mickey entered our lives, his eyes had already been surgically sewn shut.

When we first met, I was struck by how happy and unafraid he seemed. Mickey was then in the foster care of another family. Less than a year old, and only recently removed from his physical and emotional trauma, he showed none of the symptoms one would naturally expect. However, before our family would agree to expand to include Mickey, we had a "test" weekend with him..

He moved about our home, bumping into a chair or a couch, then bumping into it again. But never it seemed quite head on. Always, he exhibited a sense that something was in his way and so he would, even from the first, adjust.

Within what seemed like minutes, he would avoid the chair altogether, and then the couch. You could watch as he memorized his world. And when he moved up or down a flight of stairs, he would go through the same mental exercise. First there were mishaps, but none too great. And then there fewer. And then there were none. And then we adopted him at the end of the weekend. And he adopted us.

Over the next dozen years Mickey became an integral part of who we were. And where ever we were, there was Mickey. His gift produced some amazing results. Once we were visiting friends who had just moved into a new house with a pool. As we gathered for a swim, Mickey was the first in. Not intentionally of course. But, after a few short dips, the dimensions were understood, and for the rest of the day Mickey ran happily in circles around the pool's perimeter.

Through the years our other dog, Shadow, became best of friends with Mickey. A seeing eye dog of sorts. But the truth is, on many of our walks, both of them were off leash and there was really no way to tell which of the dogs was without vision.

Late in Mickey's life, our family circumstances changed and we were forced to find other housing for both dogs. After much searching we located an astounding woman, Shirley, who agreed to take Shadow, at that point old and in the early stages of decline. We were going to have to separate the comrades. A very dear friend had agreed to take on the responsibility of bringing Mickey into his home.

On the day that Shadow was leaving, we brought Mickey along to say his last goodbyes. When we reached Shadow's new residence, we lingered for some time. Mickey roamed through the house and soon was making his way around without any hint of difficulty. Shirley was clearly astounded,  never having met Mickey and being unaware of his amazing capacity. As we were about to go, Shirley asked if we would consider leaving both dogs with her. I went out into her driveway and cried.

 Until Shadow's passing, she and Mickey remained inseparable. After Shadow's death, Shirley continued to give Mickey a wonderful home for the remainder of his life. For, while Mickey had no vision, he had the ability to see the world as few others could. Loving, playful and forever happy, Mickey's early problems left physical scars but what remained was a dog that saw life's path clearly and followed it no matter the obstacles in his way.