A WISH COME TRUE: DAY EIGHT

This post is a part of an 8-day series.

Today is October 4th, the day that I have returned home from Alpharetta, Georgia. When I received that very special phone call from Canine Assistants on New Year’s Eve, they said this would be the day I’m returning home, and that’s when I knew immediately. This whole experience was meant to be a part of my journey. Thirteen years ago today my life changed for the better, and the very best furry friend a girl could ask for came into my life. His name was Fred, and he was my first service dog. Now, on October 4th, I am starting a brand new journey with Wish, an ever so gentle service pup who has kindly picked me to be her forever home. Some may call this a coincidence, but I see this as a sign.

These two pictures you are looking at were taken thirteen years apart to the day…in the very same location with (ironically) the very same autumn decor. Even after Fred’s passing, today’s return home with a new service dog was an obvious sign that he is still watching over me from above. From the very moment he left this earth, I see little pieces of him throughout the day. And, just yesterday, I received this text from my brother: “God just gave us a little sign that Fred is still around and looking after you. I was waiting in line at Pet Smart buying Wish’s bowls and treats and the woman in front of me was with her dog named Fred! How weird is that?”

It’s not weird. It’s just Fred reminding us that he’s always going to take good care of me and Wish from this day forward.

Welcome home, my little love.

A WISH COME TRUE: DAY SEVEN

This post is a part of an 8-day series.

We often go into an experience with certain expectations for the outcome. We create these scenarios in our heads and expect them to unfold the way in which we intended. But, oftentimes, The Universe has a funny way of working itself out, you know? You eventually come to understand that maybe, just maybe, the unexpected is far more meaningful and wonderful than what we had ever expected before.

Today, Wish and I graduated from service dog training camp. That’s right, cue the Graduation Song by Vitamin C because we have officially turned our tassels to the other side- in the metaphorical sense of course. But, just like how any other graduation goes, emotions ran wild. Well, at least for me and my mom.

As we went to get on the bus back to the hotel for the very last time, Wish refused to leave. She plopped herself at the bottom of the stairs as if she knew she wouldn’t be coming back. After some convincing and tugging at her leash, she reluctantly came on and went straight to her momma’s lap. I am eternally grateful to all of Wish’s trainers and foster family for raising this girl into a well-mannered service dog. I’m also happy to be going home, but I think if I could, I would’ve plopped myself at the bottom of the stairs, too.

You see, I began this trip under the impression that I would go to class, do my thing, then head back home with a new companion. Sure, I did that, but there was SO much more than what I was expecting. When the bus turned left out of the Canine Assistants farm, a bittersweet feeling overcame me, and that’s when I realized: I met an exceptionally remarkable group of people down here, (including a few with Spinal Muscular Atrophy!) and I was honestly going to miss them. You don’t really expect that to happen, you know? After all, it’s only seven days, and these people are all complete strangers to you. However, that just wasn’t the case here.

Goodbyes are never easy, and I was reminded of that today. With gratitude in our hearts and melancholy eyes, we said goodbye to the dedicated trainers and staff, to the amazing foster families who selflessly cared for our dogs and socialized them for the past 14-18 months, and to each other. I’ll never forget this week, and most importantly, I’ll forever carry each person here in my heart. I wish you all the best.

See you tomorrow, Rhode Island. Wish can’t wait to meet you.

A WISH COME TRUE: DAY SIX

This post is a part of an 8-day series.

Ever since bringing Wish home on Tuesday, I have not written a blog post without this girl laying on top of me somehow. Today, she’s on my legs and slowly pushing me off this couch. If for some reason this post ends mid-sentence, it’s because she’s officially pushed me off.

There isn’t much to report on from today’s class. The two of us worked on the “go get help” command, and she seemed to catch on pretty quickly. Like I said yesterday, she’s a total nerd so I’m really not that surprised. Afterwards, we studied for tomorrow’s final exam and then went home.

It’s been a long week down here for sure. Of course I would not trade my time down here FOR ANYTHING, but lack of sleep and all the crazy shenanigans it brings is slowly starting to make its way into our lives. For example, while training with Wish just moments ago, my mom was putting treats in my lap every time she responded well to my requests. Without thinking and only operating on a few hours of sleep, she accidentally fed me the treat. Ah, yes, that salty morsel went just as quickly out of my mouth as it did into my mouth. Thanks, mom. I guess I took this bird feeding technique to a whole new level though. You’re welcome, Wish.

Okay, so about this picture: Wish and I spotted this really awesome tree at the hotel yesterday and decided to go take our first formal picture together. While we were getting ready for our mini photo shoot and totally having a moment, my mom managed to capture this. You can truly feel the connection beginning to form in this picture and how comfortable she already feels around me. (Fun fact: I received Wish’s vet records and she and I weigh exactly the same. However, we’re both ladies and cannot disclose that number to you. 😉 ) I think it’s safe to say we are becoming one remarkable duo!

Update: both legs are officially off the couch, Wish is still sound asleep. Onto graduation tomorrow.

A WISH COME TRUE: DAY FIVE

This post is a part of an 8-day series.

There’s so much that can happen in 24 hours that I’m not sure where to begin with this post. Oh wait, yes I do. Let’s rewind to 3:30am because nothing good ever happens when you’re in a hotel in Georgia with your parents at that time. That is, unless you’re dealing with an anxious newborn.

Karma- a force with nature that I have quite the love/hate relationship with. Remember how I told you Wish pretty much slept through the night? Well, karma all but laughed in my face and decided to show me the true meaning of motherhood: sleepless nights. This she-gorilla of a dog didn’t sleep all night which meant mommy didn’t sleep all night which now means I’m basically sleep-writing. I don’t even think sleep-writing is actual word, but you’re going to have to forgive me here for I have not had enough coffee today to work effectively.

By dawn, I eventually caved, and grandma (my mom) and I brought her into bed where she wrapped her paws around my legs and finally went to sleep for an hour before our wake up call. I don’t care how pearly white her teeth are, I am totally not a fan of sedation by day and energy by night.

When we woke up this morning from our little nap, I went to bird feed my girl some bread. Yes, that’s right. No need to go back and reread what I just wrote, I did not dive into the deep end on account of lack of sleep, I just bird fed her as way to bond. Jennifer taught me this technique as it shows Wish that I’m her mother and offers a sense of security in this new environment. What did I learn from this experience you ask? I will apparently do literally anything for a dog I just met 48 hours ago, and I might be a little weird. Okay fine, I’m definitely weird.

But anyways, as you can see, we’ve been learning a lot during our time spent here. Classes usually range from 5-7 hours with outings in between, but as evident in this picture, Wish doesn’t seem to mind at all. Today, we had to request an extra chair because Wish kept stealing my mom’s seat. Are you thinking what I’m thinking too? She’s an absolute diva! She’s the only dog in class who gets up on a seat every morning to pay attention to lectures and demonstrations, so come to think of it, she’s just a total nerd like her momma. Keep making me proud, girl!

I’m beginning to see major improvements when we’re out in public which is so totally amazing and remarkable. Within one day, she went from slightly anxious and unsure to completely calm and “hey mom those boots will look amazing on you”. Seriously. We were taught how to ask these dogs to respond to “yes” and “no” questions by using our hands (left means yes, right means no), so when my father asked Wish whether or not I should purchase the boots, she eagerly directed her snout to “yes”! What a smarty pants.

Happy National Black Dog Day, little one! Can’t wait for the next 24 hours.