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Titan
Pete whines as Addie leads him inside Chels’s room. His head bobs up and down while his nubby tail remains stationary. Apprehension steals all of his normal joy. He pushes his muzzle into Addie’s thigh when they stop at the bed.
“It’s okay. She’s asleep but she wants to see you.”
Addie detaches his leash and pats the mattress. “Come on. Say hi to Chelsea.”
Still hesitant, despite Addie’s confidence, the boxer only raises to put his paws on the blanket next to my sister’s arm. His nose wiggles as he sniffs her skin so hard her ID bracelet flaps.
Maxim paces, impatient for the visit to work, to make Chelsea wake up, for her to be okay. I flip my palm at him. He’s got to calm down and let the process happen. No one wants her awake more than me but Pete needs to feel comfortable.
Finally, he whimpers and jumps up, straddling her while she lies silent and motionless. So unlike her normal response to him it hurts my chest. She loves that damn dog. This has to work.
Pete’s confused but doesn’t let that keep him from nudging her chin.
Nothing.
He barks twice, prodding her harder.
Nothing.
When that doesn’t work, he goes all in attacking her face with his tongue. He wants her to play.
Now.
He licks her cheeks, her nose, her lips. Long streams of saliva drape across her mouth from the slobber bubbles in his jowls.
Gross. But she didn’t care in the past and I don’t care now. Just fucking work.
Almost as if Pete can sense the urgency, he goes all in slurping her forehead and throat too. He pauses to woof a few times but keeps going.
Still nothing.
It’s not working.
Damn it.
I can’t watch any longer.
My sister’s gone. I’ve really lost her.
My eyes burn. I haven’t cried since the last time she was like this.
“Be careful buddy.”
Addie releases my hand to haul Pete back when he paws at her chest, dragging the sheet down to her waist. He sits on her legs and howls. His heart breaks like mine.
Until Chels flinches.
Motherfucking flinches.
Thank fuck. “Get her Pete. Get her! Wake her the fuck up.”
Somehow that incredible dog understands and jumps up to standing again. He digs into her gown gently yet relentlessly. I don’t think Addie could pull him off if she wanted to.
She doesn’t. Her eyes glisten when she glances at me. She loves Chels too.
Pete yelps when Chelsea squirms underneath him. Her arm lifts a few inches before dropping again. She’s frail but she’s in there. She’s coming back to us thanks to this extraordinary dog.
