Four Hearts Beat as One

Chapter 3-Paws and Effect

Jasmine smiled as she poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table with Antonio, Anna, and Tobias.

"morning, everyone! What's on the agenda for today?" Jasmine said.

She had made a delicious breakfast for her family, pancakes with fresh berries and whipped cream, scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon. A pot of hot coffee was brewing, and a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice sat on the table. The warm and inviting aroma of breakfast filled the air, and the family dug in with enthusiasm.

Anna bounced up and down in her seat. "Mommy, can we get a dog? Pleeease?"

Jasmine laughed. "We'll talk about it, sweetie. But first, let's enjoy our breakfast together."

As they ate, Jasmine asked Anna about her day at school. Anna chattered excitedly about her friends and teachers, and Jasmine listened attentively, smiling at her daughter's antics. Antonio sat across from them, reading the newspaper and sipping his coffee. Tobias, still sleepy, munched on a pancake and played with his fork. The breakfast table was filled with the sounds of happy chatter and clinking dishes.

After breakfast, Anna jumped up from her seat and ran to the living room, where she had left her book of dog breeds. She flipped through the pages, looking at pictures of different dogs and reading about their characteristics. Tobias, meanwhile, sat on the floor with his train set, making "choo-choo" noises as he pushed the trains around the tracks. Jasmine and Antonio sat at the table, watching their children with warm smiles.

"Anna, what kind of dog do you want?" Jasmine asked.

"Anna looked up from her book, her eyes shining with excitement.

"A golden retriever, mommy! They're so fluffy and friendly!"

Jasmine and Antonio exchanged a glance, and Antonio nodded.

"Let's go to the shelter and see if they have any golden retrievers," he said.

Anna squealed with delight and hugged her book tightly. Tobias looked up from his trains, curious.

"Can I come too, Daddy?" he asked.

Antonio smiled and ruffled his hair. "Of course, buddy. We'll make it a family outing."

As they arrived at the shelter, Anna's excitement grew. She bounced up and down, clutching her book and looking at the dogs in their cages. Tobias held Antonio's hand, looking up at him with big eyes. Jasmine smiled and led the way to the golden retriever section. When they got there, Anna gasped.

"Mommy, Mommy! Look!" she exclaimed, pointing to a beautiful golden retriever with a fluffy coat and wagging tail. The dog's name was Max, and he was a perfect match for the family. They played with him, and he fit right in. The decision was made, Max was coming home with them!

Max had been with the family for a few weeks now, and he was settling in nicely. He loved going on walks with Antonio and playing fetch with Anna. Tobias was a bit shy around him at first, but Max won him over with his wagging tail and slobbery kisses. Jasmine was so happy to see her family so happy, and she was grateful to have Max as a part of their lives. One day, while they were all out in the backyard, Max suddenly stopped playing and looked up at Jasmine with his big brown eyes. She followed his gaze and saw a squirrel perched on the fence, chattering at them. Max barked loudly and ran towards the fence, but Jasmine called him back, "It's okay, Max. Leave the squirrel alone." Max looked at her, then back at the squirrel, and finally sat down, panting. Jasmine smiled and scratched behind his ears. "Good boy, Max."

Anna's blindness was caused by a rare genetic condition that affected her eyes from birth. Despite Jasmine and Antonio's best efforts to slow down the progression, Anna's vision gradually worsened until she was completely blind by the time she was 12 years old. Max was there for her every step of the way, providing comfort and support as she navigated her new reality. When Jasmine realized that Max could be trained as a service dog, she knew it was the perfect solution for Anna. Max could help Anna navigate the world and provide her with the independence she craved. With Max by her side, Anna could continue living her life to the fullest, despite her blindness.