Strike One

Chapter 14: A Therapy Dog: Mia

Whitneys Point of View:

I jump out of his Jeep, only because if I don’t, I might kiss him, and I'm not ready for that, he's not ready for that. Let's face it, neither of us are ready for that. So, I jump out his of Jeep and look incredibly excited to meet his parents, I'm really excited yes - but man, am I nervous. Why am I so nervous?

Chandler gets out of his car and comes around to meet me at the front, with a big smile he places his hand on the small of my back and gestures me to follow him towards the front door. Oh my god, the front door? We're not using a side door - but the front door. We don't even get up the steps to the front porch before his mom comes out and engulfs Chandler into a giant hug. I notice that a four-legged friend has followed her out and low and behold it’s a black lab. I get down on my knees and greet the beautiful pup. She’s beautiful and sits right down in front of me, I place my hand out for her to sniff me she does then she looks up at me with these big, beautiful eyes and graciously licks the side of my face.

Mrs. Decker in a very stern voice, "Mia, down. Mia, calm." I get up from my knees, "Oh, please don't worry about it, It's quite alright. I love dogs. She though, the way she looked at me... I think I'm in love with your dog," I tell her. She smiles, "Oh, honey. She is a service dog in training so, that is why I addressed her the way I did. You must be Whitney," she asks? I smile, "Yes, I am Mrs. Decker." She laughs, "No, that is my mother-in-law and don't call me Doctor either. You can call me Deb, Debbie or Debora whatever you feel appropriate," she tells me as she brings me into a side hug. "So, you guys’ train service animals? Chandler failed to mention that information to me," I tell her. She nods, as Mr. Decker rounds the corner with a giant smile on his face.

"Hi Chan, (he hugs him) please introduce me to this lovely lady," he inquires. He places a handout toward me, while Chandler introduces his father to me, "Whitney, this is my father, David. Please don't call him Mr. or Doctor Decker either, his head is big enough as it is," Chandler chuckles. We all laugh, I place my hand into his and shake it firmly as my father taught me. David compliments my firm grip. He then looks down at Mia the beautiful pup as she continues to just stare at me. "Is it ok if I pet her," I ask so that I'm not being inappropriate but it’s killing me to see her stare at me and not give her pets. "Oh sure, we are actually training a couple pups right now. This here is Mia. We believe she will be good with PTSD or perhaps anxiety based on her current tendencies," David explains.

I get down on my knees again, "Hi Mia, I'm Whitney. You must be a very smart little girl in order to be so attentive to me. Do you see that I'm stressed? With you by me I certainly feel better," I tell her as I continue to pet her and give her a hug. All of the Decker family watches me interact with Mia and all shoot glares at one another. I simply ignore them though because I'm infatuated with this lovely animal in front of me. Debora doesn’t waste much time and invites us inside. Walking into this home I'm surrounded by a beautiful testament that is a wonderful family. Pictures line the walls of Chandler growing up, beautiful colors and bright notes surround canvas's, a big fireplace with a giant T.V above it encompasses the living room. The back of the house is lined with wall length windows which show the beautiful fenced in back yard. In the yard is a pool to the right and on the left is an open area field with a bull pen and batting cage off in the distance. I smile, it's a beautiful family home. I see dogs running around in the back and look back to the Decker’s, "How many dogs do you train?"

Debora smiles, "That's a trick question. We actually breed service animals from our two beautiful labs. We have Trisha Yearwood the yellow lab and Sirus Black the Black Lab." I laugh, "Who is the Harry Potter fan?" David laughs, "Oh, he didn't tell you. He's a huge Potterhead. Clearly a Gryffindor." Chandler places a hand on his face as if he is embarrassed. "I'm a Ravenclaw, no worries Chandler we can't all be perfect," I say. Everyone laughs. Debora continues, "We breed service animals, yes. Our two pups were both so attentive and understanding that we thought it might work. Well, the first litter of four we were able to train them and 3 passed their service requirements and are service animals as for the failure of the group, well she is living her best life at our neighbor’s house and making 3 little boys incredibly happy. So, clearly not a failure on her part. She knew what she was doing," she says.

That makes my heart soar, I have intense love for animals and especially service animals. "You know, back home, in my mom’s court room for domestic violence, r**e victims and or incidents that include children my mother has a service dog in her court room. His name is Teddy the therapy toy terrier, he's a mutt that is amazing," I explain. David claps his hands, "That's why we do it. This is our second litter, and we hope to continue to do it. We have a couple helpers here in the neighborhood that allow our pups to be around their kiddos and get different exposures. It's a village effort. We are licensed to train dogs to become therapy dogs and we honestly do it in our spare time now that Chandler is gone. We usually each bring a dog to his games to get them comfortable being out in public with people and acclimated with their surroundings," he explains.

I look over and Chandler is on the ground petting Sirus, which I have to believe is his dog. He is so tender and Sirus is showing Chandler his belly and getting all the pets. I smile, it’s a beautiful testament to the person he is, by how he treats his dog. Meanwhile, Mia is still right next to me sitting down with her head against my thigh. I look at both Decker parents and ask, "Is this

normal?" They both smile but Debora lends her knowledge, "She must feel your anxiety. You know, Whitney she might feel your sorrow too. Chandler told us about your father and we both are so incredibly sorry for your loss. I think Mia here is telling you that she too is sorry and is lending her support." I look down at Mia, a tear drops falls from my face and lands on her nose, she licks it off and then lifts her paw up to my leg as if she is trying to shake my own hand. I put my hand down and grab her paw, "You are such a good girl," I tell her.

Debora is crying now, as am I. Debora comes over to Mia and I and places an arm around my shoulder while petting Mia too giving her praise. She grips the side of my shoulder and embraces me slightly, "She has really taken to you. How about we go get some treats for her and the boys can set up dinner," she looks at both of the men and nods to them. I follow Deb toward the back of the

kitchen grabbed a couple treats and handed them to me from the counter. I instructed Mia to sit, she did I gave her the treat and some good girl pets and Mia decided to lay down near the dining room table where I took a seat to look out the backyard window. Deb sat next to me, "I know your mother is far away dear, so if there is anything you ever need...you can always call or talk to me. I'll have Chandler put our numbers in your phone. If you EVER need anything you give us a call, okay?"

I smile, "How are you people in existence? People that are as nice as you and your family just don't exist. No one has ever been this nice to me who is not trying to get close to my dad or my mother for that matter," I tell her. She smiles, "We do exist. 'Everybody gets one chance to do something great. Most people never take the chance, either because they're too scared or they don't notice it when it spits on their shoes,'" Deb quotes the sandlot. "You just quoted the Sandlot," I ask her? She nods. Chandler chimes in, "That's our house motto. That’s why my parents train service animals and are doctors - you just never know when you will get your opportunity to do something great. So, take every opportunity," Chandler explains. I nod, "How true."

We enjoyed a homemade Pork Chop and mashed potato dinner. This is nothing I would have ever had eating back in Wisconsin, the Salad portion of the meal, yes. This meal, no. I love it. I listen and chime in on their family banter as if I'm part of this little beautiful family. Mia has never left my side since I got here, she is not begging at the table, but she is right next to my chair with her head on my feet. I've never felt more comfortable in a place. I fit in here, I enjoy them, I look across the table at Chandler and I see him in a

different light. He's pure. He's gold. He is the type of man every woman wants but never can get. My inner thoughts are interrupted by David who claims he has already put the extra bike in the back of the Jeep, he also informs me he pumped up all the tires and added a bell on it, he asked to add streamers, but Deb yelled at him.

I find out too that the baseball team is heading to Michigan State tomorrow, though I'm not sure how I missed that information throughout the week. I thought they were home, but regardless - we will be traveling together tomorrow too. Deb and David inform me that they will walk between games so that they can watch me play tomorrow too. That gesture alone makes my heart ache for my father. In that moment Mia nudges my leg and I lean down to pet her - which brings me a sense of comfort that I know she was trying to provide.

Deb and David, "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to come up and help train Mia. She seems to know when I'm having a hard time mentally just in the brief encounter we have had here today. I think I can help her become the best therapy dog," I explain. They both agree.

Chandler opens my door, shuts it behind me. He hops in and we wave goodbye to his parents and take back off to Ann Arbor.