brenda's agility' : training center • las vegas • nevada

This is a story that has no end. It does have a beginning and with me, that was when Caleb turned 18 months of age. I was one of several teachers in the nursery class of the Valley Vista Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As soon as Caleb entered the room, one of us would migrate towards him and spend the remainder of time keeping him under control. Kathey Maxfield or I usually stayed with Caleb. When he turned 3 and moved on to the next level of Sunday School classes, I personally breathed a sigh of relief and felt sorry for his next teacher. Several years would pass before I would have contact with Caleb again.

By the time Caleb turned 9, I had begun hosting “Dog Agility Demos” at my training facility for the Cub Scout troop from my LDS ward. Caleb attended one of these special occasions and it was here that he became introduced to the world of dogs. At the end of the demo, I would talk to the troop and their parents and siblings who had attended, about how to approach a dog they did not know. After the short lecture, my students, their dogs, and the attendees got to intermingle. One of my students, Moon Mullins, was a photographer and he brought his camera…just in case. A Borzoi, named Navar, noticed a shy child and approached him, giving him a kiss on his cheek. Moon captured this moment on film and the next time he saw me, he gave me the picture of Navar and Caleb. I, in turned, passed the picture on to Naomi, Caleb’s mother. She started crying and through the tears I was told about Caleb’s non stop banter about the dogs and the agility demo. It was then that I learned about Caleb’s health condition. He has a severe form of autism that threatens every organ that is near or located down the center line of his body. He had already suffered one heart attack. Children with this condition, rarely live beyond the age of eight.

Up to that point of time, Caleb basically hid behind his mother’s skirt, never uttering a word except the word “no”. Now, in the safe confines of his home, he couldn’t stop talking about those “dogs”. I decided to invite Caleb, his mother, Navar and Kerry Linert (Navar’s owner/handler) to come over for a one-on-one. I set up a circle of jumps and a set of weaves around the A-frame. Kerry and I tried to get Caleb to handle Navar over a few jumps. Our requests were quickly followed with a “no”! So, Kerry and I began asking Navar to jump and weave. After a few minutes, Caleb started to move out from behind his mother and soon he began approaching Navar. After a few more nudges, Caleb finally asked Navar to jump. One of us (Kerry or I) stayed on the other side of Navar and helped guide him over the jumps. Soon Caleb lost himself in the excitement of working with Navar and he even asked him to go over the A-frame. After about 20 minutes with Navar, Caleb went back into his shell and withdrew to the comfort zone of his mother’s skirt.

I invited Naomi to bring Caleb to my Monday night Novice Agility class in which Navar participated. From this time on, Caleb became the resident dog holder for my students. Gretchen Stone, an excellent breeder of show quality Cocker Spaniels, started bringing an extra Cocker with her for Caleb to hold. One time, one of my students brought a dog book for Caleb to read. The following week, we were introduced to a quiz prepared by Caleb that came from his reading the entire book. Over a period of time, Caleb was given books on various subjects such as ships, history, the stars, etc. and a quiz would follow as he devoured each book and delighted stumping the adults through his quizzes.

Over the course of one year, Caleb went from a child with a vocabulary of one word, “no”, to a child with a vocabulary that would rival any adult. He went from “hiding behind his mother’s skirt” to standing before a group of adults and testing their knowledge of the world and its events.

On July 30, 2003, Caleb was invited to spend part of his birthday at a special agility practice. He wasn’t prepared for the “special present” that he was about to receive. Gretchen and Mike Stone had been working with Caleb’s parents in preparing their home and yard for a dog. Caleb’s favorite Cocker was a small Cocker named “Fancy”. He was asked to read the inscription on the collar Fancy wore but didn’t quite grasp the full meaning. After Caleb’s dad explained what the inscription meant, it still took a minute or two for it to set in that Fancy would be his dog. “Do I get to take her home?” he kept asking with a resounding “Yes!” from all of us.

Caleb now brings his “Fancy” to all of my Monday night classes. He still prepares his “quiz” for the adults which he now gives at the end of the class. Heavenly Father has directed the greatest group of adults to attend the Monday night class as their love and support for Caleb has helped him develop into a totally different young man.

Caleb never displayed love or affection towards anyone before his encounter with dogs. His mother described how she had observed him bending over Fancy to gently give her a kiss on the head. This outward display of affection from Caleb has led to a few short hugs (from behind) that I have been given and a kinder, more gentle attitude towards members of his own family. Every night, Naomi would tuck Caleb into bed and give him a kiss. This would be followed with a punch or slap from Caleb. A few months ago, Naomi mentioned that Caleb has stopped hitting her when she gives him a good night kiss. When we had a flood situation near my home, Caleb called to check on me and my family of Maltese. Words cannot adequately express the difference between the pre-dog Caleb and the Caleb that exists today.

I am extremely grateful to my Heavenly Father for bringing Caleb and his family into my life and letting me watch this miraculous transformation happen. I am also grateful to Gretchen and Mike Stone who opened their hearts and played such a large part in Caleb’s story. Also…Kerry and Navar and Moon Mullins who listened to the voice of the Lord and took the picture that started this miracle.

Thank you, Caleb, for enriching my life and giving it purpose.