Do You Think James Henry Will Ever Get a Dog?
Chapter one
Everybody in the village knew Doc Martin's distain for dogs. Actually, he hated pets of any kind. It was often said that if he ever had a pet, it would be a fish. That's because he would hope it would get big enough to eat some day. So, no pets at the surgery.
James Henry never knew what it was like to have a pet, even to touch one. His Dad was ever watchful to keep the filthy, germ ridden pests well away from his precious son.
Martin and Louisa wanted James to spend time at Aunt Joan's farm to not only know and love his aunt but also for all he would experience and learn there. Just no touching the sheep please! Needless to say, Auntie Joan was happiest when he was there with her just as she was when Martin had stayed with her. This time, there was no fear that he would be taken away from her or suffer from abuse from his parents as Martin did. And, if he wanted to touch a sheep, he could. Martin knew that would happen. He spent holidays there as child and knew very well what Auntie Joan would do.
Martin still missed being a surgeon but another door had opened. His friend and boss, Chris Parsons, felt that so much talent and knowledge was wasted while Martin worked just as a village gp. No, no don't get him wrong. All the patients in the district deserved the very best care available and he knew they would get it from Doc Martin. It was just that he was capable of so much more. So, Martin was ordered to report to the university in Truro for one week each month for the foreseeable future to teach diagnostics and anatomy. Martin was hesitant at first but quickly got into the swing of things and enjoyed lesson planning and mentoring promising students. One of them turned out to be Peter Cronk so he knew he would be challenged to the fullest.
Louisa was still head teacher and loved it. She approached the board about developing a tutoring program for advanced students and also a literacy program for adults. A fair was held to raise funds for new computers but, unfortunately, there wasn't nearly enough funds raised to make a dent in what was needed. Martin came to the rescue by approaching his old hospital, Imperial, in London to see if they could help in any way. Yes, they could and sent plenty of refurbished but practically new laptops and other equipment. Refurbished to them was new to everyone else because they upgraded so often. But they weren't through yet – they set up a fund to pay for wi-fi and sent experts to the school to install everything. They wanted all of England to know that they supported education. Their efforts were so well received that every major hospital in Great Britain did the same thing in their districts. Roger Fenn, besides being a musician, was a certified ******* expert so he kept everything working. It was a happy time for the Ellingham family.
I haven't forgotten James Henry. He was a happy, healthy four year old, bright and very advanced for his age. His natural abilities were enhanced by his parents who read to him from his multitude of books and talked to him about everything that he showed an interest in. Plus, he went to the library every week and was encouraged to check out any book that looked interesting. It was amazing at the variety that came home with him. His Mommy knew how to make learning fun and his Daddy was a natural teacher. They never talked "down" to him and encouraged his natural curiosity whenever possible. He was reading and doing math on a third year level by the time this story takes place.
Aunt Joan's neighbor reached the point that she could no longer live on her own and decided to move to a local rest/nursing home. She sold everything and prepared to take it easy after working hard her whole life. The only drawback was her little dog, Jackie. He was a playful, snow white and grey, two year old shih tzu who had been with her since he was seven weeks old. He had been house trained and was very well behaved. He knew to keep out from under foot, to not jump on people, to sit and stay and everything else a well-behaved dog should know. Aunt Joan was delighted to take him. He would be good company and if she had other plans, well they would reveal them themselves later.
Martin was leaving in the afternoon for Truro and would be staying for a week. Louisa was eager to go with him. They hadn't been alone together since their disastrous honeymoon. The child minder was on vacation for the week so James would be staying with his beloved aunt. His parents would pick him up following Sunday.
On the trip to the farm he chatted about all the things he planned on doing. His Dad agreed with everything but silently wondered how he would ever fit it all into just one week! More like two weeks! "Auntie Joan promised to take me fishing and we will clean and cook them and I'll help feed the sheep and gather eggs and…Daddy do chickens bite? No, no Auntie Joan won't let them bite me. We're going to work in the garden, eat on the mardanda (veranda), Al is going to take me in the boat on the lake and and let me help paddle, and…"
"Whoa! You're going to tire Aunty Joan out with all these plans. Do you know what the polite thing to do is?"
"No, do I have be porite? Aunty Joan won't be tired, I promise!"
"Ok, how about you just take it day by day and see what Auntie Joan has planned. You never know with her what she has in mind. How does that sound?"
"Yes, yes she will take good care of me. It's gonna be fun!"
"'Going' to be fun. Right?"
"Yes sir. Fun!"
Martin dropped him off, sure in the knowledge that he would have the best of care. He said that he or Mommy would call every day. "Love you! Take care of Auntie Joan. See you Sunday." And he left.
Just about that time, Jackie came from around the back of the barn to say hello. Of course, he did that by barking. For a small dog, he could bark really loud. James ducked behind his Aunt and peeked around to eye this little creature carefully just in case it might be dangerous. "Auntie Joan, is he mad at us?"
"Of course not, He just wants to say hello. James, meet Jackie. Jackie, meet James. Come on sweetheart, say hello. Pat his head and feel how soft his fur is. He's a lovely little dog and you two are going to be best friends. How's that?"
James slowly came out from behind the barrier between him and this strange animal and timidly reached out his hand.
"Tell him to sit, James. He's really well behaved. Wait till you see all his tricks. Don't be afraid, just tell him to sit and pat his head. That's it. Feel good?"
James said "Sit" in a very small voice but Jackie did what he was told to do. James smiled tentatively and touched the little dog's head. He smiled up at his aunt and she nodded her head, smiling too. "Go ahead, scratch under his chin and see how much he likes it."
As the hesitant little boy scratched him, Jackie sat up and waved his front paws like he was saying hi and James laughed out loud, sat down in front of the dog and hugged him. From then on, they were inseparable. Every step James made, Jackie was at his heels. If he lay on the floor reading a book or working a puzzle, the well-behaved little dog laid beside him and napped but ever ready to jump up and go on another adventure. However clumsily he threw a ball, Jackie would dash toward it and, with his tail wagging, bring it back and put it in his hands. The most fun was when he helped them dig in the garden. James used the shovel that his father had used many years ago. He laughed and told his aunt that Jackie was much better at digging than either of them were. With dirt being thrown everywhere (even back in the hole she had just dug), she laughed and agreed that he was quite a dog. When James had his bath, he stood by the tub with his front paws on the side of the tub trying to catch the water drops that James flipped at him.
Joan actually let the dog sleep with the boy. She was careful to give him a good wipe down first. God forbid that Martin ever found out! People in the village would hear him yelling. She knew how to handle her nephew. Just let him fuss! She was ready.
After a full week of playing outdoors almost every hour of the day, James was tanned and rosy cheeked and his blonde hair was bleached almost white from the sun. Joan got out the album of pictures that she and her husband, Phil, had made of all Martin's holidays spent with them and confirmed that James was the image of his father.
The last night of James' visit he was cuddled on Joan's lap for their nightly talk and he asked his aunt the question that had been on his mind all week – would she let Jackie be his dog. He sat up and looked earnestly at her and said, "I will take really, really good care of him. I will feed him, take him outside, brush him and everything. Please, Auntie Joan, he's my most fagrit friend of all!" Since she was hoping that would happen, she pretended to hesitate and finally said that if his parents said yes, then Jackie could go home with him. "But understand sweetheart, he's yours even if they don't feel that your house is big enough for a dog. He'll just stay here with me. Does that sound like a good plan?"
"Yes, but a better plan is for him to live with me! They won't say no when they see how smart he is. Watch his new trick. Lay down, Jackie, lay down." The dog looked quizzically back and sat down.
"He's just tired. Let me show him." He got down on the floor and laid down. Jackie thought this must be a new game and stood on his back and licked his ears. "Stop, stop Jackie! That tickles!" said James in between giggles.
Joan laughed, too and helped him stand up. "Let's work on this together. Now, pat the floor and say it again. Wait let me get a treat for him. You reward him if he does a new trick correctly." She quickly got the treat, slipped it to James and said "Go ahead. Pat the floor and say it again. I know you'll be patient with him!"
James did as she said and the dog flopped down on the floor, wagging his tail. James laughed with delight. "I told you he's smart! Look, Auntie Joan!"
"I see! Now, tell him he's a good boy and to sit up. Then give him his reward."
James was so proud of their success that he laughed, kneeled down and hugged the dog, getting lots of licks in return. He went to bed confident in the belief that Jackie would be going home with him the next day. Joan was hopeful and apprehensive at the same time.
I don't think I need to explain anything but I will. I'm an American who's never been to England and don't know much about the customs except what I see on TV. So forgive me if I say things that are incorrect. I also don't know diddly-sqat about the medical world so dodge it whenever possible. Thanks for reading my little fantasies. I never could figure out why Doc has such a things about dogs so came up with the theory.