Free Together by Tom Sullivan, Betty White

meaning that in the beginning the dog
absolutely knows his job; it's the student who struggles. The turnaround happens
as the student gains confidence and provides the animal with the kind of
direction that allows them to become one—a team together.
    Smitty knew
that students came to the program in all sizes, shapes, and ages. He understood
that his job was to make sure that the dogs were completely confident and ready
to take on any concerns that might be expressed by their new handlers.
    Smitty sat
back in his chair thinking about Nathaniel's future. It was clear that this
animal would do extremely well in the field if Smitty could match him
appropriately. The key to good matching was to make the connection between
student and dog, based on the animal's sensitivity along with the student's
lifestyle, desire, and capacity to get the most from the animal. This balancing
of dog and person was the most important part of what Smitty did.
    As he sat
reading Nathaniel's report, he couldn't help but think about Nelson. Over the
last few days, he had taken the black Lab out of the kennel and worked him,
astounded at the animal's talent. No dog he had ever known demonstrated the
immediate awareness for the work that he felt in the handle of the harness when
Nelson did his thing. This was simply the best dog he'd ever known, and as he
looked at the list of students that would be coming and meeting the N class of
guide dogs, he hoped to God there would be someone who could both handle and
get the most from this astounding creature.
     
    chapter nine
     
    The secretary
informed Brenden that Mr. Barnes would see him in just a few minutes after he
finished a conference down the hall. Brenden sat uncomfortably on the edge of a
couch, listening to the sound of a clock ticking in the far corner of the room
and wondering how much time he'd have to spend with this intake counselor.
    Charlie brought
him to the offices of the Colorado Rehabilitation Center for the Blind for this
required meeting. Brenden decided he would answer this guy's questions and make
the session as quick as possible. He knew what he was going to do. This was
just a formality. Nothing would change his plans.
    In the three
weeks since his accident, he rarely came out of his bedroom. In fact, his
mother brought him most of his meals on a tray. Until this morning, he remained
unshaven and just barely clean. Lindsey had been by to see him only twice, and
on other days she made excuses that her workload was extremely heavy. The
inevitability of where their relationship seemed to be heading deepened his
depression. And so he was sure that nothing this man could say would make any difference.
    The big voice
from outside the door seemed to vibrate everything in the room.
    "Annie,
is the McCarthy kid here?" It sounded more like a pronouncement than a
question.
    "Waiting
in your office, Mr. B."
    Instantly,
the door banged open, and Brenden heard the sound of an uneven step as he felt
the floor shake under the big man's weight. The guy was on top of him before he
could stand up.
    "Welcome
to Blinky University," the big man boomed, extending his hand and finding
Brenden's, engulfing it in a massive shake that made Brenden, a good-sized guy
himself, feel like a dwarf. "Welcome to the place where eyes open and
lives are changed! I'm Marvin Barnes. They call me 'Bad News.' Sit down. Sit
down. Sorry I'm late. The conference ran long, and it takes me a little while
to move on this bad knee. They say I need surgery, but I really don't want it.
I figure I'll be back skiing in a month. That's how I hurt it—up in Winter
Park. You know, 280-pound former defensive tackles really shouldn't be letting
gravity and inertia take them down steep hills at high speed. You can't fight
gravity or age!"
    While all
this was happening, Brenden heard the big man move behind his desk and seat
himself, his chair groaning in protest.
    "You
ski, McCarthy?"
    "I used
to," Brenden answered woodenly, "all the