While I've used this photo in the past, I chose to post it again because it shows Maggie, Lucky, and Alli back in January. In my last couple of posts I asked everyone to hold Karin and Lucky in their prayers as Lucky struggled with an unknown health issue. Unfortunately, Lucky was returned to NEADS in August as Karin was placed at the "top" of the client list to receive a new dog. Karin is not yet ready to entertain the idea of a new companion and holds out hope that something can be done for Lucky. While it appears that his stamina issues have not been as apparent since returning to NEADS, one of our trainers feels that there could be something astray with his neck and/or spine. It would be great if an answer either way.....hopefully in Lucky's favor........could be found before a new dog becomes available for Karin. When playing "Devil's Advocate" recently, I asked her what she would do if she received a call from NEADS telling her that they had found another "perfect" match for her. She replied that she would have to find out if an answer to Lucky's health problem had been found.....if not she would probably choose to wait. I know that if the tables were turned I would most assuredly have the same response. I honestly cannot picture what my life would be like without Alli. It is truly amazing how quickly you become dependent on your service dog, and the love is truly "at first sight" and certainly mutually unconditional! No matter what Karin chooses to do when the time arrives I know that Ellen and I and the "girls", Maggie and Alli, will stand by her for support with an arm around her so that she knows she is not alone..........
Ellen and "Maggie" and "Alli" and I went to visit Karin for support and love shortly after Lucky left. I've often said that while Alli may be the designated "class clown" she definitely knows when she is working, when her crazy personality is appropriate, and when it's not. When we arrived at Karin's, Ellen and Maggie were already there and I believe that both Alli and Maggie sensed Lucky's absence. Alli enjoyed her visit, but she was much more subdued than she normally is at Karin's, and I didn't need to repeat a single command. ***(I try to very rarely repeat, but sometimes a stern look from me is needed to accompany a command when in an active environment......not so this time!)
I know that it can be very scary when you think your service dog is ill or injured. I have taken Alli to the vet a couple of times when I've found "lumps". Once it was a piece of stick which had gotten under the skin on her elbow, and a couple of weeks ago it was where the rib goes from bone to primarily cartilage. I give Alli a "massage" almost every night when I go to bed, so I don't know how I missed this latest bump all these months......nonetheless, it feels the same as when my children were small (they all have asthma) and they became ill suddenly. I've always been very calm on the outside when in emergent situations but that certainly doesn't reflect how I feel on the inside. I often muse over my love for Alli, especially when my friend's granddaughter, Olivia, falls asleep with a hand on Alli's head as it rests on her car seat. As "Liv" drops off to sleep she whispers....."I love Alli"........
