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What Pets Can Do: Health and Healing
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: Oct 1, 2023 | Replies (237)Comment receiving replies
Where do I begin? As a dog trainer since age 10, I have trained dogs for disaster response, guide dogs for the blind, etc. and my own service dog. Maybe I will start with my last dog, whose picture represents me on Connect. He was an incredible dog..... and yes I know everyone says that about their own dogs, and they are truly right. When I officially made Tani my service dog, I think he laid awake nights thinking up things he could do for me. He came up with stuff that I wouldn't have known how to even begin to train him. I did teach him to get me the cordless phone in case I fell. One day I did fall, and I was bleeding profusely so I couldn't call for help with my cell which is always on me. He brought me the phone, and then while sitting on the floor waiting for help to arrive, he brought me HIS pillow! I did NOT ask for it. That was his idea. Oh yes, he was a Smooth (short haired) Collie). I had smooths for 57 years, all related as in the beginning I did breed. I had many smooths that graduated from one of the established guide dog schools. At the school where I taught, when a person is ready to graduate with their dog, they have a final test. THey have to say what they will go to buy and then come back with that item. THey had about a mile to walk to the stores . And another trainer was following them for safety. Three people with their dogs were walking together, and they stopped at a corner before crossing the street. While waiting for the handlers to ascertain the traffic before telling their dogs forward. suddenly all 3 dogs started to back up!!!!!!! The trainer had no idea at first what was happening, but a car coming down the street ran up on the sidewalk. How in the world did ALL three dogs know that was about to happen!!!!!!!
Replies to "Where do I begin? As a dog trainer since age 10, I have trained dogs for..."
Gail, @gailfaith
Barnabas was 9 when he died.
Though I trained Tani to be my official service dog, he came up with things to help me on his own! Once your dog realized you needed her for help, did she come up with any ideas of her own also? The only thing I trained him for was to bring me the cordless phone in case I fell. Of course he already had some advanced obedience titles, so retrieving was already a skill he had down pat. I made sure no matter where in the house I sent him from to where "his" phone was, he knew where to get it. But it was funny to watch him. Seemed like he had to refresh his memory as to where it was, as I could see him look into every room on the way. But he always came back with the phone. I had the phone on a low stool so it was "mouth high" for him. I had the phone wrapped in the cloth so that his saliva would not create and issue with the use of the phone. One time he did arrive with only he cloth, but I sent him back for the phone and he found it and returned with it!
Hi Teresa. Yes I do miss having a pet, but as I wrote somewhere recently, now being 81, and my smooth collies usually lived to 13 - 15 years, I don't want to leave my dog an orphan. So I am not planning on getting another dog. And with my disabilities, I can no longer train a dog as I did previously. Though not having a dog "hurts" some, losing my independence since I no longer drive is a much bigger issue for me at this time. Maybe that is a blessing in disguise in that it keeps my mind off not having a dog around. gailfaith
@ jimhd. So sorry to hear that. He was still young. That makes losing them really tough. gailfaith.
jimhd, gailfaith here again. Yes you are so right ....dogs do mourn when their buddy dies, BUT.....it need not happen that way.
I had another dog when I had Tani (my service dog.) . HIs name was Mauka which means to the mountains in Hawaiian. Tani and Mauka were great buddies. Oee day Mauka developed pneumonia and was hospitalized for a while, but the pneumonia always returned on one side of his lungs At first, Tani was mopping when Mauka was hospitalized, but one day I went to visit Mauka and I brought Tani with me and they let me bring Tani in to see Mauka. After that when Mauka was again hospitalized, Tani 'knew" where he was and didn't mope.
One day Maukaa again was running a fever of 106 and again I took him to the vet. But this time they determined it was now in both sides and recommended I put him down which of course I agreed to. BUT.... the hospital he was at was not my usual vet. The vet there was a specialist. So I called Dan and told him I wanted HIM to put Mauka down. AND that I wanted Tani to see him again,.....both alive and dead. So I brought Mauka home with the iv still running. Dan came to my house and Tani jumped into the back of my car and sniffed Mauka. Then I put Tani in the house and Dan put Makka down, Mauka was still in the back of my station wagon, Then Dan moved Mauka's body into his car and we brought Tani back out to see Mauka deceased. Dogs DO understand death! Tani jumped into Dan's car, sniffed Mauka, jumped out and never mourned for him even again. Too bad we humans can't accept death that readily. So don't hesitate to let a dog see this buddy dead! I don't know even if vets know this, but Dan sure does now. So if you get the chance, tell your vet. ANd I have given orders that if I have a dog when I die, let that dog see me dead!
Pete saw Barnabas his last night. I tried having Barnabas with me in the recliner, but after a few hours, I put him on his own bed. The next morning, I went alone to the vet to have him euthanized, and brought him home to bury him. Our neighbor came over with his Bobcat and dug a big hole for me. I think Pete saw Barnabas in the hole before we covered him up. I have a garden planted over the grave. I think it was good for Pete that I found Sadie, and they became good friends.
Jim
@ jimhd gailfaith here. ,Thanks for telling me about Barnabas and Pete. However, from your description is sounds like Pete only saw B, but I think they actually have to "smell" the deceased for reality to sink in. Dogs depend so much on scent.
I don't know what I hit a few minutes ago, but I saw that you are not just a musician, but a pastor. What denomination are you connected with?
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@gailfaith You've had some amazing experiences training dogs! You must really miss that part of your life.
Teresa