Rescuing Dad

I tried nudging my dad in the legs again to get his attention. No success. He always forgot about me when he put that weird thing on his face.

"The enemy's behind you!" he shouted, not noticing when he nearly tripped over me.

Someone was on the porch. I barked at the top of my lungs as they pounded on the door with their fists.

"Hey! Keep it down in there! Do you know what time it is?" it was our neighbor Mr. Miller. I never liked his scent. I didn't trust him. "shut your dog up too!"

I growled deep in my throat at him. Dad ignored us as he continued flitting about the living room. Mr. Miller muttered something about calling the police as he stomped away.

I hated it when Dad used that thing. It smelled funny and it was loud. Too loud for my dog ears. I couldn't see his eyes when he wore it. He also tended to forget about me when he was using it. We were supposed to go get a pup cup yesterday. He moved around the living room with those round things on his hands. He acts so strange when he uses it. Shouting and punching at thin air all of the time. I could hear others but I couldn't smell them. I don't trust anyone I can't smell. He often crashed into furniture. It didn't seem to bother him. My home was beginning to smell bad. Dirty dishes were molding in the sink. There was trash all over the floor and Dad was in dire need of a bath. He was beginning to "smell ripe" as Grandma would say. I could smell the leftover pizza on the kitchen table. Maybe I would eat that. I was really getting hungry. I sighed. That pizza had been on the table for days, taunting me. My dad hadn't eaten in awhile either. I jumped up on the couch, trying to ignore the temptation of the pizza. I sank in the middle cushion I had chewed up when I was a puppy. It was a good kill. Dad wasn't very happy about it but he never replaced the couch. I stuck my nose between the blinds. The sun was beginning to rise. I watched a lady in a dark business suit and large pearls get into her car. Mrs. Williams. She's another neighbor. She always smelled like coffee beans and anxiety. She was always tense around me. She didn't like it when I chased Pearl, her cat. Pearl was a snob and often taunted me. She deserved my wrath. Mrs. Williams must be going to work. That means it's Monday. Dad should be getting ready for work too. I tried barking to get his attention.

"Woof. Woof."

"Land the helicopter over there."

He ignored me and continued shouting at his game. Must he be so loud? I suppose Mr. Miller had a point. I whined and went into the kitchen. I know I'm not supposed to take food off of the table but my bowl sat empty. I was desperate. A dog has to eat something. I pulled the pizza box off of the table and it landed on the floor with a thud. I glanced at Dad again. Still preoccupied. I know "good boys" don't do this but I'm starving. I relished the taste of cheese melting in my mouth. Tomato sauce and pepperoni. All so delicious. I feel better although a bit guilty. Am I a bad dog? I was thirsty. I marched to the bathroom. I was glad the sink had a dripping problem. I have too much class to drink from the toilet. Now that I've satisfied my own needs I need to help Dad. I pranced back into the living room and I whined at the irritating sound of Dad's phone vibrating on the T.V. tray. Dad was still shouting at the strange voices. So aggravating. If I was a puppy I'd rip that thing off of his head and chew it to bits. I was too well trained for such antics now. I could only destroy the toys Dad bought me. My stuffed hamburger and my frog with the squeaker were my favorites. I noticed Dad's scent had changed. He was beginning to smell strange and not just because he needed to bathe. His blood sugar was getting low. It's time for an intervention. I had to get that thing off of his face before something went terribly wrong. I grabbed the bottom of his pant leg (denim, yum) and I pulled as hard as I could. He stumbled a bit.

"Just a minute, Luigi." he got up and continued punching the air.

Ugh. How could I really get his attention? I put my large body in front of him hoping he would fall on me. I would cushion his fall of course. He moved left when I went right and he only managed to step on my paw with his sock clad foot.

"Sorry, Lu...he's over there!"

His breathing is becoming heavier. I leaned up against him and I noticed his heart rate had sky-rocketed. He needs to take his medicine. I must get that thing off of him before he goes into shock.

I watched him carefully and as soon as he was in front of the couch I tackled him. I pinned him down with my large golden paws and gave him my loudest bark.

"Hey!" he pushed me off and continued playing.

I whined. This was getting dangerous. Dad was shaking now. Why was he ignoring his body?

"I'm sorry. I thought I had control of the helicopter but.."

I heard the strange voices shouting at him and using colorful words Grandma would not approve of.

I didn't know what else to do so I decided to take drastic measures. I barked at the top of my lungs and I kept running circles around him so he couldn't continue his strange antics.

"Luigi, stop that!"

No. This was an emergency. I had to disobey this time. I kept circling him until he tripped and landed on me. We both fell on the floor in a heap. I nipped and growled at the thing on his head. I tried to pull it off.

"Ow! You're pulling my hair." Dad tried to sit up. I could tell he was dizzy and he couldn't find his balance. I nudged him up with my snout so he could lean against the couch. He took that awful thing off of his head. Finally.

I marched into the kitchen and I opened the pantry door with my teeth. I grabbed the little bag with the chewy candies in it and I dropped them in Dad's lap. He needed sugar.

I watched him open the bag with shaking hands and pop a handful into his mouth. I walked over to the phone on the T.V. tray and I picked it up with my mouth. I brought it to Dad so he could call the emergency people.

I sat by Dad and I kept my ears perked up. The ambulance was getting closer. Please hurry up.

"My stomach hurts." he complained. His heart rate hadn't slowed down enough.

I barked to alert the ambulance that we were in here when I heard the excruciating sound of a siren getting closer.

"There's a dog inside." someone said.

"I don't want to get bit." someone responded.

I whined. I am not some untrained dog that bites people. How ridiculous.

"Luigi," said Dad. "You have to go in the bedroom so the ambulance can come in."

I whimpered. I didn't want to leave Dad's side.

"Go." he commanded.

With a heavy heart I trotted to the other end of the apartment.

"Come in." Dad tried to say but his voice was weak.

"The doors locked."

I had to help. I disobeyed Dad by leaving the bedroom and I went and turned the bolt with my mouth so the emergency people could come in. They smelled nervous as they saw me. I understood. Some dogs are wild and they bite anything that moves. I'm not one of those dogs. I trotted back to the bedroom and laid down to show that I wasn't going to interfere. I waited patiently as they checked Dad's vitals and gave him a shot. They carried him out on a stretcher. I whined. I hope he isn't gone too long.

Once they were gone and everything grew quiet again I walked back into the living room. I saw that funny smelling head thing on the couch. I barked at it. It had almost cost Dad his life. I picked it up with my teeth and I trotted over to the can that Dad threw things in that he didn't want anymore, like that sweater Grandma knitted him. I waved my paw over it so the lid would open. The smell of cheeseburger and candy wrappers, molded food that had been thrown from the fridge, all hit my nose at once. If I wasn't a well trained dog I'd raid this can to my heart's content and eat until I was in an exhausted state of ecstasy. No. I can't entertain such thoughts. I must do what's best for Dad. I opened my jaw and I heard the funny smelling head gear fall into the can with a thud. This was for the best. After all, I am a good dog.