We have been together from her first on command sit.

To service dog training.
Honey and I have been together through some tough challenges. Like me, Honey has had to adapt to my changing medical needs. I've always been impressed by her ability to know what I need, sometimes before I do.
When Honey was still in training, we were on a walk and Honey started dragging me. I tried to correct her for pulling, but she ignored everything. Instead she hauled me toward a park bench. I was annoyed and frustrated so I sat down. As soon as I sat down, Honey curled up at my feet.
I stood up. She stood up, put her paws on my knees and pushed me to sit back down. When I sat down, she curled up again. I'm kinda thick sometimes, because it didn't dawn on me what she was doing until the third time. My leg muscles were worn out. I needed to rest so I wouldn't fall.
MG used to cause drop attacks, where I would walk and then suddenly just fall. There wasn't any warning. My legs would work, and then the wouldn't. Bam! I'm on the ground.
While I was on the bench, I realized what Honey had just done. Spontaneously, and without any training, my dog did what needed to be done. I have not fallen since. Honey gives me a nudge and I have learned to sit down and rest. How she knows I haven't been able to figure out. She just does and I'm glad.
Last night Honey alerted me to a dropping blood sugar before Dexcom did. We were walking a few blocks from home when Honey suddenly stopped walking and looked me right in the eyes. As soon as I saw her expression I knew something was up, so I checked my Dexcom and sure enough it was 70.
She was backpacking juice boxes so I drank one. While I was drinking it I knew we needed to get back home, so I turned around. About a block later, Honey stopped and once again looked at me. Just then Dexcom went off. Low 55.
I got the second juice box out of her backpack and didn't immediately know what to do with it. The difference between a low blood sugar of 70 and low blood sugar of 54 is striking. I can't think clearly when I'm below 60. I knew I needed the juice box. That part I understood. For some reason, drinking it didn't occur to me. I knew I urgently needed the box, so I held on tight.
That's when Honey just kept staring at me. She didn't let up until I drank some juice. Know what? I think my dog just gave ME a treat!
Three cheers! Honey gave me a clear hypoglycemia alert. Good dog. Oh what a good dog. Send her a virtual dog biscuit. She's awesome.
wow! whenever i read stories like this about service dogs in general or DADs in particular, i am amazed and overwhelmed with vicarious gratitude that they exist and are out there helping people. awesome! yay honey! :)
ReplyDeleteMy service dog changed my life. No question about it I am the person I am thanks to the love of my dog.
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