PULLED OUT OF the well, with the dog in his arms, Mike gave the dog to Bess. The dog had cuts and abrasions, but seemed to be relatively fine, considering what he’d been through. Probably bruised some, but it was hard to tell with all that fur.
Tyler hugged him, as Henry licked his face.
“How’s the boy,” Mike asked the nurse.
“They’ve taken him over to the clinic. Doc Bishop’s with him. The air ambulance has already left Idaho Falls and will be here any minute. Tyler stayed with me until you could get Henry out.”
Bess knelt down and examined the dog more thoroughly, feeling his extremities. Henry yelped when she examined his hind quarter.
“I think we’d better take him to the vet and have him checked out to be sure nothing’s broken. Let’s get to the clinic so I can talk with your parents, Tyler.”
At the clinic, Bess arrived holding Henry, with Tyler beside her. She could see Marty sitting anxiously in the reception area, while Tom paced the floor.
“As you can see we got him out, but I think I should take him over to Doc Fleming, the vet over by the mill. He seems to be favoring his back hind leg and hip. How’s Sam?” she asked as she put the dog down.
“We’re waiting to hear. Doc’s with him now,” Tom answered trying not to worry.
Tyler held onto Henry’s collar, caressing him and keeping him safe, while he worried about his brother.
Bess told the anxious family, “I’ll go in and see if I can give Doc a hand. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She gave Marty a squeeze on her shoulder before stepping into the examination room.
About fifteen minutes later she returned to tell them Sam’s temperature was stabilizing.
“He’s suffering from hypothermia, a good bump on the head, multiple cuts and bruises, and a broken arm. The arm’s been set, his cuts medicated and Doc has his cold, damp clothes off, while his body core and head are wrapped up warm and dry. He’s conscious, but disoriented still, which is normal until his temperature comes back to where it belongs. I just gave him some hot chocolate to warm him up on the inside. They’ll examine him better at the hospital, put his arm in a cast, and check him out for a concussion.”
“Can I see him?” Marty asked, anxious to see her boy.
“Sure. Doc said you could go right in. The helicopter will be here in about five minutes and we need to get him prepped and airborne as soon as possible. One of you can ride with him to the hospital.”
Marty looked at Tom pleadingly.
“You go ahead. Tyler and I will follow in the car. We’ll see you later tonight.”
Bess explained, “I’m going to leave with Henry now and get him looked at. Doc Fleming is waiting for me. I’ll keep an eye on him for you and be sure he’s taken care of until you get back.”
“Thanks Bess. That’s a great help. And thank you Henry,” Tom said as he stroked the dog, grateful for his presence in their lives.
Before they knew it, the thumping sound of the helicopter was heard as it descended onto a field close by the clinic.
Sam was placed in the aid car as Marty and Tom hugged, saying their temporary goodbyes. Then she got into the vehicle, which took them quickly to the waiting chopper.
Within minutes it was airborne, transporting them to get help for the injured child.
Tom followed in the family car, driving the long distance to civilization, while praying and thanking God that he had been found and alive.
As Sam rested in his hospital bed that night, recovering from his injuries, everyone knew the boy was lucky to be alive.
They learned he had fallen into the well chasing Henry. If it hadn’t been for the grace of God, and the dog keeping him warm, the outcome could have been very different.
Marty and Tom could now look forward to their son returning home, to play with his brother and friends very soon, and they were so grateful to God for his love and mercy.
* * * *