Procedure
Scene: Sunny spring day. Momma gets a wheelchair out of the back of her minivan in the driveway. She then helps Daddy get out of the minivan and into the wheelchair. He is moving slowly but is cheerful. They exchange quiet words, then Momma comes in the house. The dogs greet her at the side door.
Big Dog Chunk (bouncing): Momma! You’re home! Yay!
Little Dog Buck (running around BDC): Momma! Momma! (sees Daddy in the driveway) Why is Daddy outside? What’s he sitting on?
Momma (scratching the dogs’ ears): He had a procedure and will be in a wheelchair for a day or two while he recovers. He wants to go for a quick walk by the lake right now and I just came in for a water bottle for Daddy. (heads into the kitchen)
(Simultaneously)
BDC: What’s a procedure?
LDB: Walk!!! (starts racing from the front door to the back door excitedly)
M: He had a medical procedure to help some back problems. He’ll need to keep physical activity to a minimum for a few days, then he’ll be better than new. He wants some fresh air before he takes a nap. And yes Bucky, you can both come with us. (filling a water bottle)
BDC grabs both leashes from near the front door and drops them at Momma’s feet.
BDC (looking at the wheelchair): Is that like a mini car?
M: It doesn’t have a motor. You have to push or pull it, or roll the wheels by hand.
BDC: Or by paw?
M: What? (finishes putting the leashes on the dogs, grabs the water bottle and heads outside)
BDC: Can I pull Daddy? Please?
The dogs run over to Daddy in the wheelchair, wagging their tails.
M: Where did you get that idea, buddy?
BDC: I can be like a mighty sled dog, shooshing down the sidewalk, taking Daddy to amazing places, like the beach, and to visit Bailey!
M: How about we tie your leash to Daddy’s chair, Chunk? And can we keep the shoosh to a moderate walk? Bucky, you’re with me
M ties BDC’s leash to the wheelchair arm. The four of them head down the block: BDC’s leash attached to the wheelchair, M pushing the wheelchair and holding LDB’s leash.
BDC: I’m a strong sled dog-
M: ...Wheelchair…
BDC (enthusiastically): I’m a strong chair dog, pulling my human to amazing places! The sun on my face! The wind in my ears!
LDB: Oh! Light post! I bet it has smells!
BDC: Oh! Smells! (Both dogs head to the light post)
M (to Daddy, smiling): The light post is an amazing place. Who knew?
Daddy: Honey, any place is amazing with you.
M: It doesn’t have a motor. You have to push or pull it, or roll the wheels by hand.
BDC: Or by paw?
M: What? (finishes putting the leashes on the dogs, grabs the water bottle and heads outside)
BDC: Can I pull Daddy? Please?
The dogs run over to Daddy in the wheelchair, wagging their tails.
M: Where did you get that idea, buddy?
BDC: I can be like a mighty sled dog, shooshing down the sidewalk, taking Daddy to amazing places, like the beach, and to visit Bailey!
M: How about we tie your leash to Daddy’s chair, Chunk? And can we keep the shoosh to a moderate walk? Bucky, you’re with me
M ties BDC’s leash to the wheelchair arm. The four of them head down the block: BDC’s leash attached to the wheelchair, M pushing the wheelchair and holding LDB’s leash.
BDC: I’m a strong sled dog-
M: ...Wheelchair…
BDC (enthusiastically): I’m a strong chair dog, pulling my human to amazing places! The sun on my face! The wind in my ears!
LDB: Oh! Light post! I bet it has smells!
BDC: Oh! Smells! (Both dogs head to the light post)
M (to Daddy, smiling): The light post is an amazing place. Who knew?
Daddy: Honey, any place is amazing with you.
(M kisses D on the cheek. The dogs sniff the light post happily, tails wagging)
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