Jake and Bagheera

"Who wants to go to the market today for Mommy?" Sheila asked, bending down to scratch Jake behind his left ear.

Bagheera bounced into the room, purring loudly while rubbing against Sheila's ankle. Jake barked and wagged himself into a wall. Bagheera, not to be outdone, jumped onto the loveseat and meowed at the top of his lungs.

"Ok, you can both go this time. Let me grab the list for the grocer." Sheila wheeled over to the countertop and grabbed the list. Jake sat by the front door, watching her every move. Bagheera, determined not to be left out, jumped into Sheila's lap. Sheila wheeled herself over to the door, crooning to Bagheera as she went.

"Here's the list." she placed it in a carrier hanging from Jake's collar. "Now go straight to the market and come right back."

Bagheera put his paw on Sheila's hand and gave her a head-butt before jumping to the ground. Jake kissed her hand and scratched at the front door. Sheila let them out, closing the door behind.

Jake bounded down the stairs, intent on his mission. Bagheera, the more curious of the two, took his time, checking out every corner along the way.

Sheila had lived in the building for several years and until recently made the trip to the market alone each week. As her vision began failing, she left the apartment less frequently. For a time, the grocer sent one of the stockers to her house with the weeks groceries but Sheila hated to impose.

Last year, her daughter came up with the idea of getting her a guide dog. Sheila was against the idea. She had her cat, Bagheera, and didn't know how he would feel about a new addition to the family. Her daughter convinced her to speak to a local trainer despite her concerns. The trainer set her mind at ease, convinced he had the perfect dog for Sheila. Jake was finished with his training and needed to find a home.

Sheila's daughter, Meghan, took her to meet Jake one sunny weekend in August. Sheila insisted that Bagheera come along for the trip. He would have final approval after all and he loved riding in the car.

When they arrived, Sheila sat listening to all of the dogs barking while Meghan arranged her wheelchair and helped her out of the van. Bagheera was pacing the back window of the van, emitting a deep, steady growl. Sheila didn't hold out much hope for the guide dog winning over Bagheera. The trainer came out to the van to meet them.

"Hello Sheila, my name is Mark and this is Jake." He shook her hand and then placed it on Jake's head. Jake sniffed her hand and gave it a kiss before sitting next to her wheelchair. She petted the fur on the back of his neck while talking to Mark about Jake's capabilities. Jake was still the entire time, not moving even when Bagheera started yowling in the van.

"I see you brought a friend." Mark said.

"Yes, he's got final say over whether we take Jake home with us." Sheila responded.

"I'm sure they'll get along fine. Jake is very calm and we have cats on the farm so he's used to their ways." Mark said.

"Should we let Jake in the van?" Meghan asked Sheila.

"I guess we have to but I don't want Bagheera to feel cornered." Sheila responded.

"Why don't you hold Bagheera and I'll keep Jake on the halter? They can inspect each other out here so Bagheera feels secure." Mark suggested.

Meghan opened the door to the van while Mark moved Jake back a few steps. Bagheera jumped into her arms, curious about his surroundings. Meghan carried him over to Sheila and placed him in her lap. Bagheera looked around, his gaze settling on Jake. Jake strained against the halter, his tail wagging.

"Let him come closer." Sheila said, petting Bagheera.

Jake moved closer, sniffing at Bagheera. Bagheera stretched his neck out until he was nose-to-nose with Jake. He purred and rubbed his head against Jake's cheek. Jake wagged his tail until his entire body was shaking.

"Well, I guess I was worried for nothing." Sheila said. Meghan sighed, glad her mother would have some assistance at home. She treasured her independence and having Jake would help her maintain it.

Bagheera and Jake got along very well. There were small disputes but Jake respected the boundaries Bagheera set and they lived in harmony. Sheila took Jake to the park around the corner for his daily walk while Bagheera waited in the window. One day, Bagheera ran out of the apartment with them. Sheila didn't notice until they were almost to the park and Bagheera jumped in her lap. She worried the entire time that he would run away so she cut their outing short.

The following day she tried to block his exit but he was determined not to be left behind. After a while, Sheila resigned herself to Bagheera joining them on the outings.

As her health deteriorated, Sheila came to depend more and more on Jake's assistance. He was a willing companion, always standing close at hand when she needed him. He could take out the trash, fetch the mail, and the paper.

Last month the grocer came up with the idea of sending Jake around the corner to the market with a list. He would gather the groceries and give Jake the bag to carry home. Bagheera, not to be left behind, joined him on his first trip. It went off without a hitch became part of their Monday afternoon routine.

This Monday was no exception. Jake and Bagheera made it to the market and handed off the list to the grocer. While he gathered the groceries they walked up and down the aisles. Jake spotted the doggy treats but they were too high off the ground for him to reach. Bagheera, seeing Jake's dilemma, jumped up on the shelf and pushed a bag to the ground in front of Jake. Not a selfless cat, he also pushed a can of his favorite kitty treats to his canine friend. The grocer came around the corner in time to see Jake scoop up the treats in his mouth. He laughed and added them to the bag.

"They're not on the list but I don't think Sheila would mind." he laughed and hooked the bag onto Jake's harness. Jake and Bagheera ambled home, content with their purchases.

Sheila laughed as she unpacked the bag and spotted the treats. "I agree, you boys deserve a treat for going to the market." She handed each one a treat before starting dinner.