Working/Therapy/Service Dogs

[incidentally]

As most of you know, I lost my therapy/working dog two weeks ago today. My vet called me day before yesterday and left a message about a retired service dog that was coming available for adoption.

I finally spoke to her this morning. The dog is a Golden Retriever who worked with a woman who was wheel chair bound. The woman passed away about a month ago. He is approximately 3 years old. My vet said the dog was turned back over the the handler by the family after the woman died.

My vet has spoken to the handler about me and I gave her permission to give them my phone number. My vet said, after several conversations with the handler, she got the impression they were trying to find another person who is wheel chair bound, which I am not. There is good reason for this. These type of service dogs are trained to retrieve items such as a phone, open doors, etc. and I'm sure there are many people confined to wheel chairs that would benefit from the specialized training.

So, I'll keep my acceptance high and my expectations low. I hope where ever he goes he will be well loved and cared for.

[Carol25]

I understand about keeping your expectations low. It would be best to see that someone who has those needs be first priority. I am sorry, however, that it didn't turn out that he wasn't in your home right now.

Goldens are such great dogs. We'll just have to wait and see. Your vet has you right up there in mind for the perfect companion. If you happened to come by one at a rescue, would you take it to your vet and ask her to do some tests with it at an examination to test it's personality and traits to see if it was a good match for you? Would she do that for you?

[incidentally]

I understand about keeping your expectations low. It would be best to see that someone who has those needs be first priority. I am sorry, however, that it didn't turn out that he wasn't in your home right now.

Goldens are such great dogs. We'll just have to wait and see. Your vet has you right up there in mind for the perfect companion. If you happened to come by one at a rescue, would you take it to your vet and ask her to do some tests with it at an examination to test it's personality and traits to see if it was a good match for you? Would she do that for you?

I prefer a rescue. The dog and I will both know. I will never forget the day my baby picked me. Even though the certification process didn't start until about 8 weeks later, he instinctively, intuitively already knew my needs and I his. An amazing bond with an amazing best friend.

I just wanted to let everyone know what happened. My other thread became off topic and needed to be closed.

Thank you everyone. I will keep people informed by pm and you are all welcome to pm me.

Tally

[Noahs ARK]

I have a Golden Retriever rescue that I just adore!

I know that you'll find the Rescue Dog that's meant for you. You'll both know immediately - it will be love at first sight! :wub::wub:

[incidentally]

I have a Golden Retriever rescue that I just adore!

I know that you'll find the Rescue Dog that's meant for you. You'll both know immediately - it will be love at first sight! :wub::wub:

Thank you, Noah, for your kind words.

I'm not sure I will know, mostly because I'm afraid to look. I'm just not ready to let my baby go.

[Noahs ARK]

I'm not sure I will know, mostly because I'm afraid to look. I'm just not ready to let my baby go.

You'll know.

Of course you're not ready to let your baby go - it's been too soon! But there will come a time when you'll realize that you aren't replacing him....you're giving another Rescue Dog a chance to have a good life with you.

I know this to be true. :wub:

[incidentally]

You'll know.

Of course you're not ready to let your baby go - it's been too soon! But there will come a time when you'll realize that you aren't replacing him....you're giving another Rescue Dog a chance to have a good life with you.

I know this to be true. :wub:

Thank you, Noah.

[CindR]

I can see why it might be better to let this dog go to someone in a wheelchair since he's already been trained for that. What specific needs did your dog help you with? What kind of dog are you looking for?

[Spyder88]

Thank you, Noah, for your kind words.

I'm not sure I will know, mostly because I'm afraid to look. I'm just not ready to let my baby go.

You aren't letting your baby go. You'll be honoring your sweet baby's memory by getting another service dog as soon as possible. Somebody "out there" is waiting for you.

:rose:

[incidentally]

It's only been two weeks today. I didn't even realize it until people started calling me and reminding me.

After my baby passed, real life people knew but there was only one online person that I shared it with. If it wasn't for her I don't know that I would have come this far even though I've a long, long way to go.

She didn't have to spend the time emailing me, she's busy enough, but she did and I am so grateful for the time she gave me. She was my anchor in beginning hours of this devastating loss.

She didn't encourage nor discourage me from posting about my loss.

And so many of you, so very many reached out and helped ease my sorrow. I am in awe of the compassion.

God will, my baby will, lead me to the right dog or maybe they will lead the right dog to me.

tally

[lune3]

"God will, my baby will, lead me to the right dog or maybe they will lead the right dog to me."

I firmly believe this, and I also think it will happen when you least expect it. It won't be a coincidental thing, but meant to be.
As for not being ready to let your baby go, you won't let him go, he's always there, not physically any more, but he's there. Eventually adopting a new friend shows your baby as much love as you will towards the new friend.
My thoughts are with you each day as you get through this tally.

[incidentally]

Thank you, lune. Thank you Noah, Spyder, CindyR and Carol...all of you.

This thread was only intended to let people know what happened with the dog my vet called about and then real life people called (good intentions) to see how I was doing on the two week "anniversary" of my boy's death and so I'm a blubbering idiot again.

I will start another thread if and when another dog comes into my life. Until then, I will try and keep it in pm's.

To those that accept them...(((hugs)))

tally

[daniel green]

Any news, Tally?

I have been thinking about you.

[incidentally]

Any news, Tally?

I have been thinking about you.

Hi Daniel!

Thanks for checking on me. No phone call. After the call from the vet, I was prepared being passed by.

I'm dog sitting this weekend. That's a huge step, isn't it?

[Spyder88]

Hi Daniel!

Thanks for checking on me. No phone call. After the call from the vet, I was prepared being passed by.

I'm dog sitting this weekend. That's a huge step, isn't it?

Huge step, Tally. Maybe you may want to consider fostering for awhile, before you take the ownership route. They're always looking for good foster homes. :thumbup:

[incidentally]

Huge step, Tally. Maybe you may want to consider fostering for awhile, before you take the ownership route. They're always looking for good foster homes. :thumbup:

My apartment complex does not allow it. Only service/working dogs allowed. I had a relative that tried to get me to watch their 5 month old, just spayed, not housebroken puppy as they were going to the beach for 9 days. She called me the day before the family was to head out. I never met this dog and this cousin and I are not very close, except when she needs something.

I could write another 20 paragraphs on that situation BUT, my apartment manager called and asked if I could watch her dog (I've watched him on and off since I moved here). It was also last minute but this little guy trust me and knows me and it's been hard but fun, if that makes any sense. You should see all 10 pounds of him chasing the deer away.

I didn't cry today, so that's a good sign too..I guess. I miss my baby but at least I have a playmate of his here.

End of babble.

[Spyder88]

My apartment complex does not allow it. Only service/working dogs allowed. I had a relative that tried to get me to watch their 5 month old, just spayed, not housebroken puppy as they were going to the beach for 9 days. She called me the day before the family was to head out. I never met this dog and this cousin and I are not very close, except when she needs something.

I could write another 20 paragraphs on that situation BUT, my apartment manager called and asked if I could watch her dog (I've watched him on and off since I moved here). It was also last minute but this little guy trust me and knows me and it's been hard but fun, if that makes any sense. You should see all 10 pounds of him chasing the deer away.

I didn't cry today, so that's a good sign too..I guess. I miss my baby but at least I have a playmate of his here.

End of babble.

:rose: Nice that you have a diversion! Enjoy.

[crocdog1]

You aren't letting your baby go. You'll be honoring your sweet baby's memory by getting another service dog as soon as possible. Somebody "out there" is waiting for you.

:rose:

I do not meant to go off topic but, this is true, not just for service dogs, but for anyone who has lost their best friend.

There are millions of doggies in our Dog Pounds that are going to be killed if they are not adopted.

Their only desire is to give "that special somebody" true love and companionship.

They don't ask for much in return. Just shelter, some food, and a pat on the head every now and then.

[Spyder88]

I do not meant to go off topic but, this is true, not just for service dogs, but for anyone who has lost their best friend.

There are millions of doggies in our Dog Pounds that are going to be killed if they are not adopted.

Their only desire is to give "that special somebody" true love and companionship.

They don't ask for much in return. Just shelter, some food, and a pat on the head every now and then.

I'm a firm believer that the sooner you go get another friend once your old friend is gone, the sooner the healing can begin.

Nothing and no one will replace that void which is left when you lose that special one, but there are other spaces in the heart that will fill to the brim with love immediately once the living comes to share your life.

Some would try to protect themselves from hurt by never getting another, but I'd rather bear the pain of loss than never experience such love and devotion from a fur-baby. They are always, alway worth it all.

JMHO