Title: Snapshot of a Fallen Hero   University Library Normal
University Library 2 10 2001-02-11T16:28:00Z 2001-02-11T16:28:00Z 4 1169
6667 Indiana U. - Purdue U. at Indianapolis 55 13 8187 9.2720	 Print 1  
      Snapshot of a Fallen Hero  Benton Fraser stood numb while the
veterinarian's words echoedin his head.  "No other viable options," she
said. "If he were younger, I'dconsider anesthetizing him and trying to put
the joint back inplace. But at his age, I can't even guarantee he'd
survive theanesthesia." He'd known this day was coming eventually. A few
years ago Dr.Wire had diagnosed Diefenbaker with hip dysplasia, a
geneticmalformation of the joint which, in this case manifested itselfas a
virtually non-existent socket for the ball joint to restin. Though more
common in dogs, it was not unheard of inwolves. The worst of the symptoms
had been kept at bay by anaggressive course of Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Sulfate,aspirin, and water exercise. And it was very likely that lifewould
have continued on this course for a few more years had itnot been for the
incident this afternoon. Dief had given chase to a man running down the
alleyway carryinga blanket wrapped bundle. The wolf always seemed to have
aspecial place in his lupine heart for human children, especiallythose in
distress. And this was no exception. He had heard theinfant crying from
across the very busy street and immediatelytook off after the man. Though
his condition gave his gait theappearance of a rabbit hopping, he managed
to soon overtake theman and stare him down, barking and growling in a
menacingfashion. The man tossed the infant into a trash dumpster and ran
backdown the alley the way he had come. Dief knew that the Mountieand his
police friends would be there waiting to arrest the manso he chose to stay
and protect the infant. Uncaring of theinstability of his hips, he gave a
mighty leap to the lid of thedumpster but didn't make it and fell heavily
to the ground. Heshook his head and tried again but found that his legs
justdidn't want to move properly to get him standing again. And sohe
simply waited on the ground and tried to whine reassuringlyto the infant
he could not see. It was several long minutes later before Ben walked to
thedumpster to see what was happening. Confused by Diefenbaker'sposture,
he first retrieved the infant from the trash receptacleand handed her to
the social worker. Once on the ground again,he ran a hand along the wolf's
flank and felt the joint that wasout of place. He cringed, knowing what
this likely meant. Butwhen he tried to pick up his companion and carry him
back toRay's car, Dief whined in indignant protest. So instead heplaced a
gentle hand underneath the wolf and lifted him to hisfeet. Ben was even
more concerned when he noticed that Diefenbaker'shind paws were now
crossed, but as the wolf slowly started towalk, they straightened
themselves out. He breathed a sigh ofrelief but knew that he needed to
call Dr. Wire immediately. And when they reached the street again where
his two friendsawaited him, he asked to borrow a cell phone. He was amazed
that both Ray's actually argued over which onewould accompany him to the
veterinarian's office and which onewould accompany the kidnapper to the
police station. But sinceit was the Riviera that was at the scene, Vecchio
prevailed withKowalski asserting that he would follow-up with his friends
assoon as he could. And now he stood in the examination room with a softly
whiningDiefenbaker and Dr. Wire.  "Then I guess that's what we'll have to
do. But could we havesome time alone together before?" "Of course, I'll
check back with you in a little while." She left and went to the waiting
room and found Ray. Tellinghim what was going on, she was mildly surprised
to see that heseemed as upset by the situation as Ben. She knew that
theywere good friends and had, in fact, provided transportation toher
office for the pair. After a few moments of silence Rayexcused himself and
began to make some phone calls. In the room with Diefenbaker, Fraser
recalled some of themoments they'd shared. From the time they'd met in the
beartrap, to that fateful day on Prince Rupert Sound. The
Mountieremembered Dief by his side, tracking the man who killed hisfather.
He acknowledged that the wolf had adapted far moreeasily to the urban
atmosphere of Chicago, scrounging food andbegging for attention wherever
he went. A smile crossed Ben'sface as he recalled the one time that Dief
hadn't been so happywith the attention and was forced to wear a tam 'o
shanter. They'd been friends a long time and shared many eventful
momentstogether. They'd watched as the pups Diefenbaker had fatheredwere
whelped. They were together the day that Ben arrested theman that had
murdered his mother. They had even stood side byside and watched Francesca
Vecchio marry Ray Kowalski. Yes, ithad been a long time since that bear
trap but Ben still wasn'tquite ready to let go. He tried to remember a
phrase from abook that Elaine had loaned him last year. A gentle knock on
the door interrupted his musings.  "Yes?" he responded. Dr. Wire stuck her
head in the door and he motioned for her toenter the room. He could tell
she was carrying a syringe andnodded at her.  "This is sodium
Phenobarbital. It's the same stuff they gaveyou when you had your back
surgery. I'll administer it in an IVinjection. It will sedate him and
eventually cause his heart tostop. Now, his tail may wag or he may exhibit
a minor muscularspasm. It's completely normal. I'd like you to wrap your
leftarm around his chest and bring your right arm over his back in anice
tight hug. Are you ready?" "Can you give us just another moment
please?" "Certainly, take all the time you like." Ben held the wolf close
to his chest and spoke softly in his earknowing he couldn't hear the words
but certain he couldunderstand the emotions. "Don't be dismayed at
good-byes. Afarewell is necessary before you can meet again. And
meetingagain, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who
arefriends," he quoted. "I'll see you around, my friend." Dief whined
softly and licked the face of the man he'd come toknow as companion and
pack leader. The Mountie nodded at Dr.Wire and looked away as she applied
the tourniquet. Deftly, sheadministered the injection and Ben felt the
wolf relax. Hecradled his friend in his arms and allowed him to sink down
tothe table. Sandra put her hand on Ben's arm. "He's a very special
animal." "He saved my life, you know." "Prince Rupert Sound," she
acknowledged. "Among other times. Even in my darkest hours, when I
thoughtthere was no reason to live, he was a living reminder that
therewas." "Yes, they have a way of doing that." Ben kept his hand on
Dief's chest, feeling the heartbeat slow tonothingness. One last sigh
escaped his muzzle and he was gone. Sandra wrapped her arms around her
friend in comfort butwondered, perhaps, if he weren't trying to comfort
her as well. For several minutes they held each other until Ben
finallystraightened up. "You'll take care of the cremation" "Tonight. I'll
call you tomorrow and make arrangements to pickup the ashes. Do you have a
container?" "Yes, Ray's sister, Francesca, took a pottery class last
yearand I seem to have been her sole beneficiary." "How nice." "There's a
jar that will be a perfect container for the tripnorth." "North?" "Back to
Prince Rupert Sound. It seems to be a good spot." "It is." He left the
examination room with his Stetson in his hands. Ray, Francesca and Mrs.
Vecchio were all waiting for him, as wasKowalski. "Benny? You okay?" Ray
asked seeing the tear stained cheeks ofhis friend. "Yes, Ray," he
lied. Francesca handed him a small box and when he opened it, he founda
stained glass sun catcher in the shape of a tiger swallowtailand a piece
of paper with a note. 'What the caterpillar calls the end of the universe,
the mastercalls a butterfly.' The End In memory of my beloved friend and
faithful Labrador Retrievercompanion, Top Gun's Maverick's Mistress;
Can/Am CDX,CGC,WC,TD. 10/4/86--9/28/2000 I'll see you around, Mavi.