At LZPAH we are privileged to be included in the lives of our pet owners beyond an annual exam or emergency visit. We have built lasting relationships which have afforded us the opportunity to share in their triumphs from birth announcements to job promotions to quitting smoking as well as to support them in times of trouble such as the loss of a parent or the sudden illness of a family member. The trust engendered to us by our Frisco friends and neighbors is awe inspiring at times. I am going to share with you one of our client’s stories as her achievement culminates today and is a symbol of lasting love and sacrifice.
A short time ago, a long-time client and family friend casually asked me what I thought about her becoming involved in the raising and training of a service dog during a well appointment for her cat. She had never had a dog before and was a bit nervous but excited at the prospect, I could tell, about going beyond her comfort zone and making a commitment to service which would truly and positively change the lives of other people, people she had yet to come to know, for a very long time.
With some clients I would have been skeptical, but as we talked she shared with me more details of the program, verified that she would have long distance as well as local support from other experienced puppy raisers and that she was committed to the early chaos that is puppy. I told her of our family’s own interest but concerns at this stage of our lives to be able to adhere to the time commitment prohibited our participation. I told her that her LZP family would support do its best to advise her and to answer all the puppy questions she could throw at us to support her during this experience. She thanked me, we finished the appointment and we shared good byes. She left me still seemingly unsure of her decision, and I jumped into the next room to examine a sick patient. By the end of the day, I had forgotten our conversation. A few weeks later, Helper II showed up.
Few creatures exist which could be considered cuter, more roly poly or preciously adorable than our newest puppy patient: Helper II. Sunshiny yellow and full of joie de vivre, she was a force to herself and definitely had a presence and a personality all her own which I first had the pleasure of being introduced to that Thursday in March when I first came eye to eye with her laughingly smiling at me from atop my exam table. I congratulated and reassured her “new Mommy” that she had a great dog in the making and that she could indeed become a fabulous puppy raiser.
Here are a few excerpts from Helper II’s puppy raiser’s journal entries:
“One of the most important responsibilities a PR [Puppy Raiser] has is to ensure that the puppy gets great health care. My Vet of choice is Lazy Paws in Frisco…they are wonderful! I have been taking my cats to Dr. Hunter and Dr. Bilhartz for several years and I would not have trusted anyone else with Helper’s care. Dr. Hunter started her series of shots, and she got weighed. It is very important for a service dog to maintain a healthy weight. Today she weighed 18 pounds. She did great!”
“Our typical Texas summer heat has kicked in (100 degree days) making it hard to get Helper the exercise she needs every day. Consequently, when we play outside it usually involves water! She loves to play in the kiddie pool and get sprayed with water from the garden hose. I must say this is quite fun for me too…she really makes me laugh when she goes wild with the water.”
“One of the wonderful things about spending the holiday with family in upstate New York is the chance to have a “White Christmas.” It sure is pretty to look at! However, I was not sure how my Texas puppy was going to like getting out in the snow and freezing temperatures when she had to relieve herself 4-5 times per day. My questions were answered when we got the first of several snowstorms. Helper did not care…she was one very happy puppy playing in the snow! It was so fun to watch; who would guess that she was a Texan?”
Flash forward to the present:
“The Preliminary Match was made today!!! I got the call I was waiting for from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) this morning…Helper was [preliminarily] matched to be a Facility Dog! It is considered preliminary because Helper’s new partner will spend 24 hours a day with her from today until next week’s graduation. This Tuesday CCI will tell me if the match “held” over the weekend. I am thrilled about her match because Helper is a very social dog and these jobs will give her a chance to touch many people every day!
Additionally, at the end of a work day she will go home with her partner to a family… who lives on 110 acres with horses, goats, chickens etc. Helper hit the puppy lottery!”
For those who are wondering, yes, she did make it all the way through her training and today, on February 14, 2014, this Valentine’s Day, she will graduate and become the love of someone else’s life, their significant focus and our friend’s tireless care and devotion over these past 24 months will come to fruition as she makes the ultimate gift and sacrifice by handing over Helper’s leash to her new family. I thank them both for the honor and the privilege of sharing in their journey.
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