Champ strained at his leash while Logan rang Zach’s doorbell. “Hold on, Champ,” Logan said. “We’ll get to the dog park soon.”
“Hey, Logan,” Zach said, opening the door. Rocket, Zach’s golden retriever, barked a greeting to Champ. “We can go to the dog park, but first Rocket has to do his job.”
“What are you talking about, Zach?” Logan asked.
Zach’s mom Cheryl, joined them. “Actually, Rocket has a very important job to do today,” she said, “and Champ could help, too.”
“Mom Nora can’t go with us today,” said Zach. “It would be great to bring another dog along instead.”
Logan watched as Zach and Cheryl smiled at each other. They’re playing a joke on me, Logan thought. Okay, I’ll play along.
“Okay,” Logan agreed. “I’m sure Champ would like to help Rocket with his job.”
“You boys get the dogs into the van while I let your mom know where we’re going,” Cheryl said.
Logan and Champ sprinted to the van with Zach and Rocket. The dogs jumped into the back. Then Logan and Zach buckled up.
“So where are we going?” Logan asked, as Cheryl started the van.
“Not far,” Zach said.
That didn’t answer Logan’s question at all!
Soon, they pulled into the parking lot of a large building.
“What is this place?” Logan asked.
“It’s the assisted living facility where my grandpa lives,” Zach explained.
“This is where Rocket works?” Logan asked.
“That’s right,” Zach answered. “Let’s go!”
“I’ll wait here,” Cheryl said. She pulled out a book, and settled down in the sunshine, which was pouring into the van’s windows.
Logan snapped on Champ’s leash. Zach and Rocket were already walking down the sidewalk. Logan and Champ followed them around the building and into a courtyard—it was full of old people! Old people were walking alone or with each other. Old people were sitting in the sun talking together. Some were playing a game at one of the picnic tables. But as the boys and dogs entered, they all stopped to watch.
“Grandpa!” Zach called. He released Rocket, who raced over to one of the older men walking around the courtyard. The man bent over and ruffled Rocket’s fur.
“Did you bring your dog to visit us, too?”
Logan turned. A woman reached out from her wheelchair towards Champ.
“Yeah, sure,” Logan replied. “This is Champ.”
“My name’s Esther,” the woman said, and happily wheeled herself a little closer to bury her hands in Champ’s fur. “Good dog, Champ,” she crooned to him. “There’s a good dog.” A woman with long gray braids came over and rubbed Champ’s ears. Champ licked her fingers. Pretty soon, a whole group of people was petting Champ, or watching, waiting their turn.
Logan left Champ with his new friends and joined Zach, watching Rocket bound from one person to the next.
“So this is Rocket’s job?” Logan asked. “Visiting these people?”
“Yep,” Zach answered. “When my grandpa moved here, he couldn’t bring his dog, or any pets. Grandpa really missed his animals, so I started bringing Rocket to visit. He loves the attention, and the people love him.”
“I think Champ loves this, too,” Logan said. Three people were petting Champ, whose eyes were closed in bliss. “Can we come with you again?”
“Sure,” Zach answered. “We visit every Saturday.”
“We’ll come with you as much as we can,” Logan said. “This is almost as much fun as the dog park.”
