It was a sunny spring morning when micheal excitedly rolled his wheelchair down the sidewalk. He was on his way to the animal shelter to adopt his very first dog.
Ever since Micheal had lost the use of his legs in an accident last year, he dreamed of having a loyal companion to keep him company. None of the apartment buildings in his price range allowed pets, but Miche finally saved enough to put a down payment on a little house with a big backyard. Now came the fun part finding his new furry friend.
As Micheal maneuvered his wheelchair up the animal shelter ramp, he wondered what kind of dog would be the perfect fit. "Maybe a little terrier who can ride in my lap? Or a big goofy retriever to walk beside my chair?" he mused. Inside the front office, Micheal was greeted by a kind volunteer named Maggie who listened to what he was looking for.
"I have just the pup in mind for you!" Maggie exclaimed. "Follow me." She led Micheal down a long hallway filled with the barks and yelps of dogs awaiting new homes. At the end was a kennel housing a sweet-faced mutt with shaggy golden fur. "This is Amber ,she's a 2 year-old mixed breed dog who ended up here when her owner passed away," Maggie explained. "She's playful, loyal and very well-trained."
Micheal was instantly smitten with the beautiful Amber. He rolled his chair close to her kennel so she could sniff his hands and lick his fingers. Amber’s big brown eyes gazed at Jake so adoringly while her bushy tail wagged excitedly. Yes, this was definitely Micheal's perfect dog.
After filling out some adoption paperwork, micheal happily led Amber on a leash out to his accessible van. She hopped right into the backseat without hesitation. "Ready for your new home girl?" Micheal grinned at her affectionately. Amber just covered his face in wet enthusiastic kisses, her tail thumping loudly against the seats.
Over the next few days, Micheal and Amber quickly fell into a comfortable routine together. Each morning they would roll or trot side-by-side down the tree-lined streets near their cozy home, Micheal pointing things out to Amber along their path. The blossoming magnolia trees were Amber's favorite stop for sniffing. In the evenings after dinner, they would cuddle on the sofa watching movies or looking out at the backyard while planning landscaping projects.
A month later on another sunny morning walk, Micheal and Amber turned a corner just as a package delivery truck came barreling unexpectedly fast down the road. Micheal yelled “Look out!” but it was too late. The truck swerved but still clipped Micheal’s wheelchair hard, knocking him sideways. As Micheal tumbled from his chair, his wrist caught between the spokes immediately snapping with searing pain.
Micheal lay sprawled on the sidewalk, scared at the sight of his swollen wrist bent at an odd angle. But suddenly Amber was there, gently nudging his shoulder with her nose and licking his face reassuringly. Micheal threw his good arm around her neck, overwhelmed with love and gratitude that Amber was by his side.
Just then the delivery driver came running over in a panic. "Oh my god sir, are you okay?? I'm so incredibly sorry!" he stammered. Micheal shook his head, still in major pain. "I think my wrist is broken but otherwise I’m alright," he managed. The driver called 911 while Amber stayed curled up beside Micheal, refusing to leave his side even when the ambulance arrived.
At the hospital, the doctors confirmed Micheal's wrist was indeed broken and required surgery to repair. They also shared some even more devastating news the impact from the accident caused spinal damage that could take away Micheal's limited mobility permanently. As Micheal processed this terrifying prospect of life in a wheelchair worsening, hot tears began spilling down his cheeks in waves.
The next day, Micheal returned home with Orders to strictly stay in bed for 6 weeks post surgery, only getting up with assistance for bathroom visits. As he lay miserable staring at the ceiling, Amber suddenly came bounding into the room dragging her leash. She play bowed, tail wagging in invitation despite Micheal’s protests that he couldn’t leave bed.
Then Amber surprised Micheal by dropping her leash and grabbing a dishtowel from the laundry pile in her mouth instead. She placed it carefully in Micheal's lap before disappearing out the pet door. When she returned minutes later, the dishtowel was wrapped around the handle of Micheal's wheelbarrow from the shed.
Micheal couldn't help bursting into laughter at clever Amber's ingenuity. “Alright you win girl, let’s get me into this crazy wheelchair” he chuckled. With Micheal's one good arm and Amber pulling the makeshift wheelbarrow handle, they managed to scoot him inside. They took off down the sidewalk at snail's pace, Micheal leaning to steer while Amber trotted cheerfully beside her best friend.
The simple joy of feeling fresh air and watching Amber explore lifted Micheal's spirits enormously after days stuck inside. As they passed kids playing street hockey, several broke away to run over asking if they could pet Micheal's amazing dog. "Of course!" Micheal said proudly.
No matter what mobility challenges or uncertainty lay ahead, Micheal knew Amber would be right there providing love, support and even creative problem-solving. He couldn't imagine getting through rehabilitation or life without this incredibly special soul by his side. She gave Micheal the strength and courage to face each day, never losing hope. Thanks to Amber, Micheal could handle whatever path forward came next. Together they would take things one day and one dishtowel wheelbarrow ride at a time.
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