Anna clasped her hands.
“First,” Fleck said, “you need to be willing and capable of boarding a veteran who is selected to undergo training. There are limited government housing options and, if needed, my workers need to be prepared to provide board.”
Anna’s mind raced.Certainly, Norbie would be willing to take in a veteran. Would Bruno have any concerns?“Of course,” she said, burying her thoughts.
“Second,” Fleck said, “I would like for you to recruit another person to join you. I, of course, will need to approve the worker you recommend. Operating this school will soon be far more than my current staff can handle.”
“I will,” Anna said, even though she was uncertain she could convince another person to join her.
“Be here at seven a.m. tomorrow,” Fleck said. “And before you leave, tend to the dog. There are medical supplies inside.” He turned and walked onto the obstacle course.
“Good luck, Fräulein Zeller,” Dr. Stalling said. “I’ll inform the hospital and will make arrangements for your transfer of employment.”
A mixture of excitement and trepidation swelled inside her. “Danke, Dr. Stalling.”
He nodded and left.
Anna carefully placed her arms under Nia’s belly. She lifted the shepherd, frail and light for a dog that should have weighed at least twenty kilograms, and carried her inside the building. A faint scent of straw and old manure filled Anna’s nose. She placed Nia in a stall that had once been used for a horse, and then located a medical bag that contained antiseptic and soap. She filled a chipped, enamel bowl with water, which she pumped from a well, and then washed Nia’s paws.
The dog whimpered but made no effort to move.
Anna carefully cleaned between the dog’s nails, the webbing raw and red, and then applied antiseptic.
Nia flinched.
“I’m sorry.” Anna stroked Nia’s head. “It burns, but it will help fight the infection.”
The cadence of Nia’s breath slowed, and her muscles relaxed.
Anna finished rinsing Nia’s paws with antiseptic. With no bandages or rags, she used her skirt to dry the pads. She cupped a handful of water to her mouth. But Nia, lacking the strength to raise her head, produced a feeble lick and closed her eyes.
“The war is over for you,” Anna whispered. “I’m going to make you well, and someday you’ll be a guide dog.”
Anna stroked Nia’s protruding ribs, which felt like a washboard covered with fur. She removed Norbie’s lunch of potato and bread from her purse, and then stashed the food under a bit of straw near Nia’s nose.I don’t know what they’ll feed you, but you need all the nourishment you can get.She left for home, eager to tell Norbie the news of her new job, as well as to find a way to recruit another employee, but all she could think about was saving Nia.
CHAPTER7
OLDENBURG, GERMANY—JULY19, 1916
At sunrise, Anna dressed and went to the kitchen, where she lit a wood stove and toasted a bit of black bread. With her mind imbued with thoughts of Nia, she’d barely slept.I hope she was able to eat, Anna thought, picking at her bread. She regretted not offering to bring Nia home with her, despite that Fleck, who appeared to be a rule-following ex-military man, would likely not allow a dog to leave the premises.I’ll try when he sees that I’m a good worker.
The house was quiet, except for ticking coming from the first-floor workshop, and the snores emanating from Norbie’s upstairs bedroom. With a bit of time before heading to work, she retrieved a piece of paper and pencil.
Anna sealed the letter in an envelope and placed it on the kitchen table. She was eager to check on Nia and begin her first day of work, but she was also pleased to bring along her friend Emmi. Yesterday, after leaving the guide dog school, Anna had gone directly to the hospital. She’d told Emmi, while she was taking her break in the garden, about her new job, and that she was charged with recruiting another person to work at the school. Before Anna had inquired as to Emmi’s interest, Emmi clasped Anna’s hands and asked, “May I join you?”
Anna was overjoyed with Emmi’s offer. Even after she told Emmi about the hours, the lesser pay, and the brusque demeanor of Rolf Fleck, Emmi’s determination to join her didn’t waver. “Ewald works with ambulance dogs at the front,” Emmi had said. “I’m certain he’d be honored for me to work with guide dogs.” Anna was glad that Emmi would have the full support of her husband, and she wondered, although briefly, how her Bruno would feel about her abrupt change in profession. Before the end of the day, Stalling had made arrangements for the hospital to transfer both of them to the guide dog school. Emmi, who was a highly regarded and competent nurse, would no doubt be welcomed back to the hospital, if she chose to do so. But for Anna, who relied on her ability to comfort and care, rather than technical skills, the change in employment might be permanent.
“Good morning, Anna,” Norbie said, stepping into the kitchen.
“Sleep well?” Anna asked.
“Ja.” Norbie ran a hand through his mussed, gray hair and yawned. He looked at the pendulum clock on the wall. “You’re up early.”
“Emmi should be arriving soon,” Anna said. “I thought it would be wise to show up early on the first day of work.”
“I’ll make coffee for you and Emmi,” he said.
“There’s no need,” Anna said.
