A young boy with a physical disability writes about the special relationship he and his service dog share.
My name is Hobie. Hobie Alvero. I am eight years old. I have a special friend in my helping dog, "Tinker". "Tinker" is a Golden Labrador, and I got him almost one year ago. He is a big help to me in so many ways.
You see, I am physically disabled. I was born with cerebral palsy, which requires me to walk with crutches; I can't walk without them because my legs don't work right. I often drop things, and I get tired. This is where my dog come into the picture. He is my helper; that way, he can give my family a break.
I live in Yuma, Arizona, with my dog "Tinker", and also my mom and dad, and my brothers and sisters. I have two brothers George (15) and Elden (17), and two sisters Rica (13) and Triniti Michaela (5). I am the only one out of my family who was born with a disability, and sometimes they get frustrated with me. I am not really fast, and if they are in a hurry, they often get mad at me, which makes me sad. I can't help the way I am!
I have days where I feel sorry for myself, especially when kids tease me. They call me "Gimp" or "Cripple" or worse, or they laugh and try to trip me or take away my crutches until I fall. I have blackened my eyes or busted my chin open from falling; I sometimes have to go to the Emergency Room to get stitches.
It is on days like this where I wish I could just hide away from the world or wish I didn't have this stupid CP. It's not my fault I can't walk as well as most people; why can't they learn to just overlook the crutches or the way I walk instead of making fun of me? I'm a kid, I am not an object to be pitied!
Anyway, "Tinker" acts as my arms and legs, and he gives me lots of love and kisses, licks the tears away when I am sad. He sleeps with me at night, and he is hardly away from my side; he is mostly with me. People think my dog is cute, but I have to tell them not to pet her when he's with me because he's working; he has a job to do, and if people pet him, he can get distracted, and I can end up falling or getting into trouble.
Now, I can rough house with my dog when he is not wearing his special yellow-and-blue vest, and when he's not wearing it, he can be petted, just like any other dog. However once the vest goes on, he's all business!
I wish I had "Tinker" sooner because since I have had him, my life has been so much better! I have more freedom now than I ever did, and I am a much happier kid because of it!
The cat in the hospital, the blinds see dog, "Tinker" are few exemples of how animals are part of our lives, sadly more than once we forget to say thanks to them for having make our life more bearable.
A great story.
Georg
Wonderful gift. I cried at first but loved it anyway and it is not so sad now he has a remedy that helps.
What a wonderful boy and his dog story. Well done...Joyce
Karen, this story really touched my heart. The picture really capitalized your words. The following passage from you story drew tears to my eyes:
"I have days where I feel sorry for myself, especially when kids tease me. They call me "Gimp" or "Cripple" or worse, or they laugh and try to trip me or take away my crutches until I fall."
I know children can be really mean, but this seems more criminal than mean.
Bless you for bringing your stories to us.
Reviewed by Lewis Findley
9/6/2007
Just recently I was at Port Wentworth Library and saw a blind man with his seeing eye dog. it is a very special relation ship between a disabled person and his special canine friend. a wonderful offering here Karen. God Bless. ((hugs)) "Donny"
