A dog's view on her special-needs young master and why she is so fond of him.
My Human is a Child with many needs; but inside his small body beats the heart of a warrior, a champion.
My Human is named Johnny, and he is now 11 years old. He also is getting sicker and weaker each passing day, and it breaks my little doggie heart to see him suffering. My Boy has a Disease called Muscular Dystrophy, and it is robbing the strength of his muscles; and because of Muscular Dystrophy, he can't walk or get around as well as he used to. He uses a Wheelchair, and he wears Braces on his thin little legs; and when he DOES walk, he uses metal Sticks called Crutches; and those are only for short trips. He gets tired so easily now, and this is where I come in.
My name is Ginger, and I am a beautiful Golden Retriever. My coat is long and silky, and it is a beautiful golden color; and my eyes are big and brown; and they shine with love and compassion towards my Boy. Oh, my Boy has other Humans in his Family, but my Boy is ALL MINE, and there is NOTHING that can change that! I act as his hands and legs; when he drops things, or needs things from shelves, it is my duty to pick up dropped objects or get things from shelves if he can't reach them in his Wheelchair.
I have been Johnny's Buddy since he was nine; that will be two years this year; and ever since I came into his life, his life is much better. He isn't as dependent on his mother or daddy (both have their hands full with 49 other Kids; and like Johnny, most of THEM are Special Kids, too, plus they both Work for a living, so they can raise their Family), and I also alert Johnny's Folks when he falls out of his Wheelchair again due to a Seizure. When Johnny has a Seizure, he grows stiff, and then he falls out of his Chair, onto the floor, and he starts making funny noises and starts shaking all over; and if he doesn't get help, he could choke, and he could stop breathing; or he could hurt himself if he bumps into something during the course of his Seizure. When Johnny has a Seizure, I go running to his Parents, and let them know about it; and then they can help him.
I always worry when Johnny gets sick or has one of his Seizures because he is so frail; and doctors don't think he will be around much longer. His seizures and his breathing troubles only tell me that his Muscular Dystrophy is getting worse; and so things like breathing or heart troubles or his seizures will be happening with more frequency and will be happening more regularly. He has been sick for a very long time, but never like this; and it bothers me because I have come to love Johnny like a Brother, although he is Human, and I am Canine. I am his Canine Sister, and I would defend my Boy to the death, if I could.
I first met Johnny about two years ago when I was matched up with a Child with Handicaps; and my Child-To-Be happened to have a Terminal Disease called Muscular Dystrophy plus other Health Problems. I had to get used to things like Crutches, Braces, Wheelchairs, and get used to helping Johnny whenever he had a health problem come up. I had to do many tasks for him, and I couldn't just lie down on the job and think I could take it easy: being with Johnny is a 24-hour job, and if he needs help in the middle of the night, I had best be ready, in case that were to happen (in which it sometimes does). I can't leave him alone, and I have to be with him 24 hours a day, every day, 365 days a year; I don't have weekends or even holidays off. I am ALWAYS on duty, and when I am on Duty, nobody can pet me until I have my special Vest and Leash removed. When I have my Leash or Vest on, people CANNOT pet me; I have to concentrate TOTALLY on Johnny and his needs; and I can't be bothered by all the Distractions that are going on around me. I am on Duty, and Johnny lets people know that they can't pet me as long as I am wearing my Leash or my Vest. But when they are taken off, then I can love on everyone and act like, more or less, a Regular Dog.
Johnny is a very good Child. He is funny, and he is sweet on me. He is always giving me pats and praise when I do well, and he always gives me treats if I am especially good; and I always enjoy THAT! He is also very shy, and I know he gets sad because of his having his Disease; and he is worried about things like death or growing up. This is also where I come in, as I can lick his tears away if he cries; or I can make him feel better by putting my head in his lap and let him pet or scratch me behind the ears; and that usually cheers him up. Or I can play frisbee or run wild in the yard, which always makes him laugh; and then I can really act crazy and act like a clown. I love to hear my Boy laugh; as long as he is happy and as long as he forgets of his Troubles, even if it IS for a little bit, then being his Dog is worth than all the gold or all the money in the World! Johnny is MY Responsibility, and I am going to be the BEST Helping Dog that I can possibly be!
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Reviewed by Carol Chapman
1/18/2004
This story brought tears to my eyes as it hammered home that unconditional love our companions share with us. The devotion of service dogs to their jobs is poignantly told and touches the reader leaving them changed for having experienced your work. Well done, very well done.
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