It was difficult throughout the first few weeks of school. Mara had been quiet most of the time since kindergarten. During circle time, she would sit with her arms crossed and her gaze down on the rug. The educators made an effort. The other children made an effort. However, Mara simply didn’t open up.
She was different at home—talkative, humorous, and inquisitive. However, she changed into this reserved, bashful version of herself at school. I also had no idea how to get in touch with her.
The school counselor then gave me a call one morning. “Today, we’re attempting something new,” she stated. “A therapy dog is in the classroom right now. Just in case Mara has a strong reaction.
I still find it hard to accept what transpired next.
When I got there for the pickup, Mara was speaking instead of simply grinning. She was telling him everything while seated in the center of the alphabet mat, her arms firmly encircling a golden retriever wearing a brilliant blue vest.
What about the children? They sat close together, listening as if she were narrating the world’s most significant tale.
I heard one of the girls ask, “Why didn’t she talk before?” at that point. “Perhaps she just needed someone who wouldn’t interrupt,” said another boy in a whisper.
Mara’s face lit up with delight as she saw me approaching and waved. She yelled, “Mommy!” and dropped the dog to sprint in my direction. The golden retriever followed her, wagging its tail as though it had been anticipating my arrival all day.
Pointing to the dog, Mara proudly declared, “This is Max.” “He has excellent listening skills.”
I lowered myself to her level and brushed a lock of hair off her forehead. “I recognize that. Did you enjoy yourselves today?
She gave a hearty nod. “I told everyone about my turtle with Max’s help.”
“Your turtle?” Confused, I asked. We didn’t have any pets, including turtles.
Indeed! Back home, I called my imaginary pal Turtle. As she acknowledged this, her cheeks turned pink. “I told Max about our hide-and-seek game because he thought Turtle sounded cool.”
I looked at the elderly woman who handled the therapy dog; she had a patient face and kind eyes. It happens more often than you might imagine, she said with a slight nod.
Mara was unable to stop talking about Max that evening. She described everything over supper, including how his fur felt silky, how he cocked his head in response to her words, and how he appeared to get her meaning even when no one else did. A part of her that had been longing to emerge but was unsure how to do so seemed to have been opened by Max.
The next weeks saw a significant shift in circumstances. Max came to the classroom every Thursday, and every Thursday, Mara grew a bit more. She started to raise her hand in class, narrate stories during show-and-tell, and even ask her peers to join in on games during break.
Then came the turn that none of us anticipated.
The counselor called me aside one Thursday afternoon rather than entering the classroom. “I regret to inform you,” she continued gently, “but Max will no longer be allowed to come visit. They have chosen to retire his handler early due to health concerns.
My heart fell. How might Mara be affected by this? Would she withdraw into herself again?
Later that night, Mara looked heartbroken when I told her. With tears welling up in her large brown eyes, she questioned, “But why?” “Is he no longer in love with us?”
I gave her a strong hug. He does, of course. However, in order to care for themselves, people—and dogs—must occasionally make difficult decisions. They still care about it, though.
Mara walked around the home moping for days. She spent most of her time peering out the window, trying to get a sight of Max outside, and hardly touched her books or toys. I was heartbroken to see her in such sadness, but I was at a loss on how to make things better.
Until someone knocked on the door one Saturday morning.
The handler was standing on our porch with a leash fastened to—you guessed it—Max. Behind them was a younger, slightly smaller golden retriever with a matching blue vest.
The handler greeted Mara with warmth. Max wanted to bid farewell in a dignified manner. And. She pointed to the younger canine. “This is Luna. She is also undergoing training to become a therapy dog. She could occasionally come to your class if you’d like.
Mara looked as radiant as the Fourth of July. With joyful tears in her eyes, she rushed to embrace Max and put her arms around his neck. Then she turned to Luna and tentatively petted her with her hand. Luna sealed the transaction with a loving lick of her palm.
Luna started coming to the school on a regular basis after that. Under Luna’s attentive eye, Mara continued to flourish as Max contentedly retired to a life of leisure. She gradually discovered her voice, both for herself and for other people.
After several months, Mara was not only attending class but also taking the lead by spring. She urged more reserved children to voice their opinions during group activities. She defended friends who were being teased on the playground. Additionally, during parent-teacher conferences, Mara’s instructor extolled the virtues of her growth, both academically and emotionally.
Her teacher remarked, “She’s developed into such a leader.” “It’s incredible to witness.”
However, one wet afternoon after school was when the true magic occurred. Mara abruptly halted in front of an old man who was sitting on a park bench feeding pigeons as we were making our way home. A disheveled terrier, looking damp and uncomfortable, was tied on the bench next to him.
“Can we help, Mommy?” Mara tugged at my sleeve and inquired.
She cautiously walked up to the man before I could reply. “Pardon me,” she murmured quietly. “How is your dog doing?”
The man laughed. “Oh, he’s all right. simply despises the rain. Don’t you, friend?
Mara knelt next to the dog and let him sniff at her hand. She paused, then glanced up at the man. “Is it acceptable if I give him my umbrella?”
Startled, the man blinked, then grinned. “Of course, my dear. He would most likely adore that.
I came to a startling realization as Mara held the umbrella over the drenched puppy: Max and Luna had not only given Mara her voice, but also demonstrated to her how to use it to improve the world.
When Mara graduated from high school years later, she gave a speech about connection and kindness. Speaking to the audience, she stated that sometimes “one person—or one dog—is all it takes to remind you that your voice matters.” Max was mine. And because of him, I developed the ability to speak up for people who are in need of support as well as for myself.
I was moved to tears by what she said. I realized then that the trip had been worthwhile despite all of the difficulties.
The lesson here is that sometimes the greatest changes can be sparked by the tiniest acts of compassion. A toddler sharing an umbrella with a stranger’s pet or a therapy dog offering a listening ear are examples of how these small gestures have a profound impact on people’s lives that we may never completely comprehend.
Please tell this tale to someone who needs a reminder of the strength of compassion if it spoke to you. Additionally, remember to like—for creators like myself, it means the world! 🌟
