F - 2 DOG NAMED DUKE - CLASS IX

     5 a) In 1953, Hopper was a favoured young man. Standing six-foot tall, he'd played on the University football team. He was already a hard-charging zone sales manager for a Chemical company.

b) Hooper had met with an accident and was critically ill suffering from a subdural haemorrhage. He remained on the critical list for a month. After five weeks when the men from his office came to visit him, they told him that they would create a desk job for him at headquarters because they knew his left side was completely paralyzed and he would not be able to move around. 

c) Duke was an extraordinary dog with special qualities, when Duke came from the kennel, he jumped on Chuck and he knew instantly that he was never to jump on him again. From that moment, he took up a post beside master’s bed around the clock. Duke encouraged his master to get up by poking his nose under Chuck’s elbow and lifting it up. He also nudged, needled and snorted. Finally, chuck and duke began walking together with Duke pulling at the leash and holding taut so that Chuck could be supported and he could take one step forward. What began as one step at a time culminated in Chuck walking by himself.

d) Chucks moving back to the company's headquarters presented several tough problems. Looking at the way he had fought to get back to his normal life, no one had the heart to tell him that he would not be able to handle his old job. Yet it was impossible to work as a salesman if you can't move about and can not work for just one hour in a day.

e) Charles Hooper’s appointment as assistant national sales manager is considered to be a tribute to Duke because just as Duke helped Chuck to walk again, step by step Chuck’s appointment advanced the objectives of the company step by step.

f) Chuck who had been a very active young man all through his life until he met with the accident might have felt lonely and depressed seeing Marcy going to work. He might have felt worthless as he was not even able to get up from his bed on his own. Future might have looked very bleak for him considering his physical condition.

g) Chuck and Duke set daily targets. They took one step, one fence, one post at a time and he finally able to walk on his own. Later, with his determination he was able to get promotion as the Assistant National Sales Manager. From this story we understand that unachievable targets only brings in disappointment and frustration. Truly, small wins help achieve bigger goals.