Hogan's Hope: A Deaf Hero's Inspirational Quest for Love and Acceptance

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As the days got longer, Number 10 was sure that Anna would have extra time for him. However, increasing numbers of after-school activities kept her from coming home on time. He watched from his cage as the yellow bus rumbled down the road without stopping. But where was Anna? He didn't understand that she was a teenager now, and her friends were progressively more important. Her girlfriends came over to the house to visit more often. They loved playing with the pup and tossing the ball, but it didn't take long until they all went giggling into the house leaving him alone again. Of course, Anna still loved him, but when she did arrive home, she had her friends over, her homework to get done, her mother to help with dinner, and her chores to finish. To get Anna's attention and have a good time, Number 10 learned to grab the broom's wiry bristles as a new game of play. Anna would laugh which pleased him so he continued his attacks. But, this pastime was short-lived, and after getting a bit of dry kibble, he was once again alone. What no one realized was that a neighbor had been watching Number 10 closely over the course of the year when he came for occasional visits. Without fail, he always went over to the pen, and Number 10 loved having someone else coming to see him. The neighbor's face was kind and his expressions were soft. The young dog sensed that this man had a kind heart, and as his hands glided down the dog's body, they must have felt comforting. He was no longer a little puppy and his legs were getting long as he grew into a youngster. He couldn't fit into anyone's lap anymore, but he tried with great exuberance as he offered his belly for a nice rub. Summer came and soon left and the signs of another autumn began to appear once again. Number 10 was the only dog left in the empty, dirty cages. Unlatched gates swung in the breeze and banged against the sides of the pens. Although he couldn't hear the loud noises, he could feel the vibration against his body. The young pup's world was mixed with extreme highs of anticipated love and great lows of fear and abandonment. His world was silent, but he didn't know anything else. He was confused and longed to understand, and the only way to do that was to watch for some sort of cue. What he did understand was that Franklin Brown's touch was terrifying and cruel. One afternoon while Number 10 waited for Anna to come home and spend time with him, the caring human drove up to the house. Instead of coming to see Number 10 first like he usually did, he went directly inside the house. He held a leash in his left hand. That was puzzling. It didn't take long for him to come back outside with Anna's mother, and they both walked down to the dog's cage. Opening the gate, the man slowly bent down and motioned for Number 10 to come to him. Most other times the young dog would have scampered over to him, but something felt unusual. Anna's mother was there and because this man was kind before, Number 10 moved timidly toward him. The treat in the man's hand helped to convince him and he voraciously devoured it. The leash that the man carried in his hand was clipped onto Number 10's collar, and he was led to a truck. The man gently lifted the pup inside. Unfamiliar to riding in a vehicle, the pup shrank down to the floor between the seat and dashboard, looking up at the ceiling and the windows. Just before the door closed, Anna's mother and the man shared a hug and she turned to leave. Number 10 must have been confused as he fumbled his way up to peer out the rear window. Dust rose from the driveway as they drove away, and he watched Anna's house grow smaller in the distance.