A Dog Named Duke Summary in English
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A Dog Named Duke Summary in English – In the fall of 1957, Chuck Hooper’s life took a dramatic turn when a severe car accident left him paralyzed and struggling to adjust to his new reality. Once a dynamic and successful zone sales manager, Hooper faced overwhelming challenges as he was confined to a wheelchair and grappling with despair. However, the return of his loyal dog, Duke, marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation. Duke’s unwavering companionship and encouragement played a pivotal role in Hooper’s recovery, pushing him to achieve goals once thought impossible. This blog post explores Hooper’s extraordinary journey from helplessness to a significant promotion, showcasing the profound impact of determination, support, and the bond between a man and his dog.
A Dog Named Duke Summary in English
Hooper was once a very driven zone sales manager at a chemical company. After an accident left him paralyzed, he felt hopeless. But his dog Duke came back into his life and lifted his spirits. Duke taught him how to deal with challenges and accept his new life. Hooper eventually walked to his office again and was promoted to Assistant National Sales Manager. Sadly, Duke passed away in an accident, despite helping Hooper achieve his goals along the way.
A Favoured Young Man
In 1953, Hooper appeared to be a favored and successful young man. He was six feet one inch tall and always had a broad smile on his face. He was very competitive by nature and had played on the university football team. He worked as a hard-driving zone sales manager for a chemical company. Everything was going well for him.
A Car Accident
While driving home one autumn evening, Hooper was in a terrible car accident. He was rushed to the hospital with a subdural hemorrhage in his brain and was left completely paralyzed on his left side. He couldn’t talk, only breathe and see, and his vision was double. He remained in critical condition for a month. After five weeks, some men from his company visited him in the hospital and told him to take a year off. They promised to arrange a desk job for him at the headquarters.
Reduced to a Paralysed Cripple
About six weeks after the accident, the hospital put Hooper in a wheelchair. Every day, someone worked on his paralyzed arm and leg, followed by baths, exercises, and using a wheeled walker. Despite these efforts, Chuck Hooper didn’t make much progress. By March, he was brought home, but things got even harder for him. With his wife Marcy going back to work, he felt lonely and lost in his thoughts.
Re-entry of Duke
Eventually, Duke was brought home from the kennel. As soon as he saw Hooper, he jumped up and bumped him above the belt. Chuck Hooper struggled to keep his balance. Duke quickly realized he had made a mistake and never jumped on Hooper again. He stayed by his master’s bed around the clock, and the two of them stared at each other day after day. One couldn’t move, and the other couldn’t talk. Duke grew tired of the boredom. One evening, Chuck’s good hand idly hooked the leash onto Duke’s collar. It was like lighting a fuse. He asked Marcy to help him to his feet. With Marcy supporting him by the elbow, he moved his right leg forward. As his right leg straightened, his left foot dragged forward alongside it. It was a small step, but it was progress.
Duke and Chuck Hooper Take Short Steps and Walk
As Hooper stood up, Duke walked to the end of the leash and pulled steadily. That day, they took four so-called ‘steps.’ Leaning against the pull of the leash, Hooper learned to balance without Marcy’s help. Within two weeks, they reached the front porch. By mid-April, neighbors saw Duke pull his leash taut, then stand and wait. Hooper would drag himself alongside Duke, who would then walk to the end of the leash and wait again. They set daily goals: Monday, the sixth fence post; Tuesday, the seventh fence post; and so on. They also began a course of physiotherapy. By June 1, Hooper and Duke had made it to a distant intersection. Duke soon began pushing for two trips a day. On January 4, Hooper walked 200 meters from the clinic to his company’s local branch office.
Hooper Sets His Objective – A Dog Named Duke Summary in English
No one believed that a man who couldn’t walk properly and was working only an hour a day would set such an ambitious goal. Hooper declared that starting March 1, he would work a full day. He achieved his goal and had no time for physiotherapy after that date. He focused entirely on Duke, who pulled him along the street faster and faster, improving his stability and endurance. After 13 months, Chuck Hooper was promoted to Assistant National Sales Manager.
Death of Duke – A Dog Named Duke Summary in English
On the evening of October 12, 1957, the Hoopers had guests. Suddenly, Chuck heard the screech of brakes outside. Instinctively, he looked for Duke, who had been run over. Duke was taken to the animal hospital and was given medication, but he couldn’t survive. A few weeks earlier, Hooper had been promoted to Assistant National Sales Manager. An order from the chemical company’s headquarters was issued, which seemed like a special tribute to Duke: “……… therefore, to advance our objectives step by step, Charles Hooper is appointed Assistant National Sales Manager.”
Summary in 15 Points in English
1. Hooper was a successful and driven zone sales manager.
2. An accident left him paralyzed on one side and unable to talk.
3. He felt hopeless and struggled with his new reality.
4. Duke, his dog, was brought home and became his constant companion.
5. Duke’s presence lifted Hooper’s spirits and motivated him.
6. Hooper began to make progress with Duke’s help, taking small steps.
7. They set daily goals, like reaching specific fence posts.
8. With Duke’s encouragement, Hooper improved his walking ability.
9. By June 1, Hooper and Duke reached a distant intersection.
10. Hooper committed to working a full day starting March 1.
11. He achieved this goal and focused solely on improving with Duke’s help.
12. After 13 months, Hooper was promoted to Assistant National Sales Manager.
13. Duke was run over on October 12, 1957, and could not be saved.
14. Hooper’s promotion was seen as a tribute to Duke’s role in his recovery.
15. The company’s order highlighted Hooper’s step-by-step progress towards his goals.
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