MAKE-A-WISH UNITES BOY, DOG

JACKSON -- Despite her name, Charity doesn't take kindly to strangers.

A knock on the Birk family's door gets her attention, the entry of unfamiliar visitors evokes a low growl. It takes a soothing pat from any of the five Birks to quiet her.

But that's just fine for the golden Labrador's owners. They wanted Charity for her protective nature and generally calm disposition, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation made the match possible.

Chad Birk, 15, is the oldest son of Terry and Donna Birk, who live with their three sons outside Jackson. By the time Chad was a few years old, his mother realized something wasn't right. Her other son, Josh, was a year younger and able to do many things Chad couldn't.

When Chad was 7, the diagnosis was official: Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, a disease found only in males that gradually weakens their muscles. As the disease progresses, Chad was able to do less and less without assistance.

Still, he attended school in Jackson with the help of a full-time aide and made straight A's.

People from Make-A-Wish contacted the family a few years ago. The organization grants wishes -- any wish at all -- to children with terminal illnesses or life-threatening medical conditions. They wanted to help Chad.

It wasn't until last year that he decided on what he wanted. Chad asked for an assist dog -- one that could pick up dropped items, open doors or perform other tasks. Make-A-Wish wish granters went to work immediately to locate the right dog and the right training school.

But in the fall, Chad's heart became enlarged and he spent time in a St. Louis hospital. By the time he got out, he felt too weak to spend several long days in training with a dog. He decided on a trained, adult dog instead.

Vickie Hoernig of Perryville became one of Chad's wish granters. Her own son, 5-year-old Kent, benefited from Make-A-Wish when he was 3.

She finally discovered a 2-year-old golden Labrador for sale in Poplar Bluff. Charity was a show dog, but a genetic test run on her showed she would pass cataracts on to any puppies. She would have to be spayed, making her ineligible for dog shows.

The owner wanted $900 but sold Charity for $500 when she found out about Chad. The Birks got her Dec. 29, and the boy and dog got along perfectly from the start.

"For a lot of people, working with Make-A-Wish is like saying, `My child isn't going to live,'" Hoernig said. "Some parents think it's charity, but then they realize their child may really want something, and it may be his last chance to get it."

Sunny Hill Pet Center donated a huge pet carrier for Charity and three area veterinarians assisted in finding Charity and providing check-ups.

Terry and Donna Birk said they probably wouldn't have purchased a high-priced dog like Charity on their own. With all Chad's special needs, they wouldn't have had the time even to look for one meeting all the specifications.

Charity is like a member of the family, responding quickly when Chad calls her. She can sit, fetch and heel and will be trained to pick up items Chad drops.

Charity even handles Clay, the Birks' 2-year-old, with grace.

"Clay bugs her all the time," Chad said. "He chases her around the table and she keeps running."