I had kidney disease.
The doctor wanted me to be in the hospital, but I insisted on being at
home.
I had fought so many health battles, and we all thought this would be the
final one.
I slept on the couch day and night. My husband worked at his computer in
the same room. My dog, Chloe, was always at my side. She was either laying
on the floor next to me, on the couch beside me, or on top of me. I would
open my eyes and see her watching me and hear my husband tapping away at
his key board, and I felt so much love for them. My husband told me that
Chloe always stayed with me. He had to put her food by me in order to get
her to eat, but even then she barely touched it. He even had to coax her
into going outside to go potty, and then she would take care of business
as quickly as possible and dash right back in to be with me.
So many times I opened my eyes to see them both watching me, and the love
I saw in their eyes amazed me. I realized that they needed me. All this
time I thought they were fulfilling my needs, but they really needed me
too.
When I was well again and looked back on the whole thing, I was a little
stunned by how ill I really had been. I realized that God had given me a
choice to stay here in this lifetime with my husband and Chloe and learn
whatever else there was to learn or go ahead and go on. It seemed like a
reward to have this choice, and I chose to stay here. My husband and Chloe
had hung on to me, and we all needed each other.
Chloe is a rescue dog, but I think we are rescue humans. It seems we have
each rescued each other somehow.
Chloe met a lady on the street one day, and it turned out the lady was in
charge of a program where dogs go visit people to help them feel better.
They call it 'Pet Therapy'. We had been wondering about this type of a
program for some time because Chloe has demonstrated an extraordinary
ability to help the healing process.
Needless to say, the lady fell in love with Chloe and invited us to test
for the program. We were delighted.
After several months of getting ready and making schedules work, Chloe
took her test. She had to go through the course once with Mommy and again
with Daddy. The only really hard part was when she had to behave and not
bark or get nervous when this big black pushy doggie came toward her. She
tolerated as much as she could, but he was just too big and pushy so she
told him to back off. As soon as Mommy told her 'no' she sat down and was
quiet. The big black pushy dog listened to Mommy, too. *smiles*
Here's what the course was like:
1. Accepting A Friendly Stranger: This test demonstrates that the dog will
allow a stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural,
everyday situation. Evaluator approaches and shakes hands with the
handler; does not touch dog.
2. Sitting Politely For Petting: This test demonstrates that the dog will
allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler.
The evaluator pets the dog and then leaves the dog and handler. The dog
must show no shyness or resentment.
3. Appearance And Grooming: This test demonstrates that the dog will
welcome being groomed and examined and will permit a stranger, such as a
veterinarian, groomer, or friend of the owner to do so. Evaluator inspects
the dog, combs or brushes lightly, examines ears and each front foot.
4. Out For A Walk: This test demonstrates that the handler is in control
of the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler, whichever the
handler prefers. There must be a right turn, left turn, and about turn,
with one stop in between and one at the end.
5. Walking Through A Crowd: This test demonstrates that the dog can move
about politely in pedestrian traffic. Dog and handler will walk close to
several people; dog may show some interest without appearing over
exuberant, shy or resentful.
6. Sit And Down On Command/Staying In Place: This test shows the dog has
training, will respond to the handler's command to sit and down and will
remain in place. Dog does sit and down, then handler walks tot eh end of a
20ft line and returns. Handler may choose to leave the dog in sit or down
for the stay.
7. Coming When Called: This test demonstrates the dog will come when
called by the handler. With dog on 20ft line from Test 6, handler walks
10ft from the dog, turns and faces the dog, and calls the dog.
8. Reaction To Another Dog: This test demonstrates the dog can behave
politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach, shake
hands, exchange pleasantries and continue on. Dogs should show no more
than a casual interest in each other.
9. Reaction to Distractions: This test shows the dog is confident at all
times when faced with common distractions. Dog may show casual interest
but may not panic, show aggressiveness, or bark.
10. Supervised Separation: This test shows the dog can be left with a
trusted person and will maintain its good manners. Dog will be on 6ft
leash; leash is held by an evaluator while handler is out of sight for 3
minutes.
Now, we're so excited about doing Pet Assisted Therapy because of the
wonderful healing power that Chloe showed us and we want to share that
with others who are ill. We know it will never have the same impact, but a
moment of something happy can still be a help.
Our first time on our own visiting patients at the hospital may turn out
to be the most rewarding of all. There was a small child in the ER. We
could hear her fussing in her mommy's arms. As soon as she saw Chloe, she
quieted and seemed to light up. The entire visit was delightful, and for
that few moments that little girl had some of the best medicine there is
... she was lost in Chloe's beautiful brown eyes and happy smile ... we
could see it reflecting off the little girl's face ... she simply soaked
up the healing.
