By Your Side, Always

Chapter 2

Because Billie is a certified therapy dog, we have decided to volunteer in an organism. This organization permits us to visit children in hospitals to distract them. We do the same thing in centers for the elderly. We often go to this last place because the demand is very high. The elderly absolutely love Billie and are often feeling very isolated. Bill loves to make people laugh. She has formed a very strong bond with Mrs. Dupont, an old lady from the center. This lady is probably 80 years old, she always seems to be in top shape. Every time we drive near Mrs. Dupont's house, Bill gets excited and super happy.

"Therapy!" I say so that Billie comes close to the door.

I have to put her leash on to be sure that she does not get distracted by a squirrel and decides to chase it. On the leash, my dog is an angel; she does not flinch, stays very concentrated, and obeys very well. However, whenever she goes out without a leash, she becomes hyper-stimulated and the environment becomes too much for her to handle.

"Not today, Bill."

Today, we are not visiting the residence for the elderly. We will visit the patients at the children's hospital nearby. I love to see the smiles on the kids' faces when they realize that Billie is there for them. Those children are often obligated to stay in a hospital bed since they have important health conditions. Some of them are very young and cannot enjoy their childhood, which breaks my heart. Others had to abandon their friends because of their special conditions. The younger kids like to show Billie their new toys. Billie always listens to them. The older kids cover her with kisses and hugs. Bill is the ideal friend for everyone.

We get out of my apartment and start to walk toward my car. My best friend smells the ground she knows a little bit too well and looks at me opening the door of the car.

"Hop!"

She jumps onto the backseat and goes lie on the little bed I installed for her. Being someone that works a lot, I do not really have the chance to have people over, even less in my vehicle. This made it possible for me to buy Billie some comfort.

The windows rolled down, my little dog puts her head through and sticks her tongue out. Some cars slow down when they see Billie, some others honk to draw her attention to them and scream compliments at her. This I what I consider to be totally normal, I do not even jump anymore. Billie, she just smiles at them.

Arrived at the hospital, we identify ourselves at the entrance and a lot of rooms are pointed to us. The first one is Barthelemy's. This young boy is at the hospital since he is three, having developed a rare form of cancer.

"Billie!"

My dog walks over to the little boy and jumps on the bed. Bart laughs and hugs Bill. I always bring a bag of toys with me so that patients can play with the animal. I give a rope to Barthelemy and Billie understands immediately what she is supposed to do. Her eyes light up while the young boy puts the rope near her nose. She bites in the rope and tugs gently, putting more strength little by little.

"How are you doing today, young man?" I asked Barthelemy.

"Oh, you know. The usual."

This breaks my heart when he says that. Usually, he is very excited to tell me about his day, even when he is unable to get out of his bed. When he is less enthusiastic, it means that he is not doing well. Barthelemy does not have much time to live. He is on an experimental treatment that seemed to be working for him last time I saw him. I guess this has changed.

"Have you done interesting things today?"

"No. Hey, she got bigger since last time!" Barthelemy said, changing the subject.