Just Behind The Door

It is easy to think that because I am a Professional Service Dog that I have no problems of my own. Well, my focus is taking care of my mom but I have a few struggles of my own. My mom says I have a “green eyed monster” even though my eyes are brown and I never seen a monster other than Murphy around here. I have yet to figure that one out.

My biggest problem is I freak out when I don’t see my mom. It is called separation anxiety and one time it was really bad when my mom had to get x-rays and my friend Sue sat with me on the other side of the big door. I cried and cried. Just couldn’t understand why I couldn’t be with my mom. At home sometimes I fall asleep (off duty of course though I really am on duty 24/7). Suddenly I become aware my mom is no where to be found. So I seek and sense she went into the rest room and cry because she is behind the door. Life is hard on a dedicated Service Dog who “loses sight” of her mom. Seconds later my mom will open the door and tell me that I am a goofy but loyal dog and gives me a reassuring hug. She was never far away after all. She was just behind the door.

Sometimes life can make one feel very lonely. You may even think no one cares. I assure you have a friend that is “just behind the door.” Sometimes you need to  cry out like I do for my mom. I know Some One cares for you! Just as I know someone cares for me and my mom….and even Murphy.

Living Upside Down

Serving my mom by helping her balance, pick up stuff, and opening the door is such a joy to me. In a world that seems to be getting more self absorbed and self-centered, so many are missing out on the Joy of giving of themselves. Our friend, Bob Burg, who with John David Mann wrote the book The Go-Giver shares some great wisdom. Bob Burg lives the life of a go-giver.

Murphy practicing a cat’s concept of living the upside down life.

It seems like the upside down life. You don’t give to get but when you give–you get. Like when I open the door for my mom I get praise and a pat or a hug. Not much beats that in my book. Even when there is  seemingly no pay off for serving there is a reward and it has a value greater than one can convey.

We Service Dogs are called Leader Dogs when we serve the blind. Whether a dog is a leader dog, mobility dog like I am, PTSD dog for a  War Veteran, or Search and Rescue dog or in the many other areas of service…we all are leaders in serving and giving. This makes us Go-Givers in the canine world. We add great value to the lives of our “humans.” Just ask my mom!

Our friend Bob Burg wrote,“Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.” The Go-Giver may seem targeted to business but it can easily be applied to every aspect of life. A Go-Giver is one who gives….could be a smile, good advice, helping a friend move, buying lunch for a stranger or any other act of kindness. Giving at its highest level is motivated by love. There is no love greater than to lay down your life for a friend. Most of us probably won’t be faced with that choice but some will. The truth is I will lay down my life to protect my mom. Mom told me her earnest prayer is if the need arise she would lay down her life for her friends without a second thought. Even when the going gets tough we will live the Go-Giver way and perhaps die a Go-Giver. In a way, it is like living in upside down world when you live not for self; but to put others first. Who is first in your life? Is living without giving – truly living?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Think I Wanna Be A Cat

Having Murphy the cat around has taught me how easy life is for a cat! He just does whatever he wants, however he wants and only when he wants to! What a life! Eat, drink and be merry! I have to work. I love to work but maybe I just wanna be a do nothing cat, sounds easy and fun. Murphy is like a free loader. In defense of Murphy, my mom says I need to mention the value he adds to our lives. Okay, okay, this Service Dog has to think deep….a cat that adds value…

Okay, Murphy the cat can be entertaining. Especially fun to chase if I get away with it. Usually, my mom tells me to knock it off or “kennel.” Murphy does have a heart too, I watch him lick my mom tears away and cuddle next to her on one of her difficult days. (I get a bit upset when Murphy starts acting like a Service Dog though).

Me wanting the easy life of a cat and Murphy the cat acting like a Service dog can be a bit confusing. Murphy has even picked up a pen my mom dropped (just to chew on it not bring it back to her like I would do). He is messing with my harness while it is propped up against the wall, when I am not working. He better not be getting any big ideas. I am the Service dog, he is the cat!

My mom told me the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. She reminds me if I was a cat I will have to go potty in a box, and stay in the apartment. My mom even mentions how I may have to hack up hair balls. That did it. I don’t want to be cat.

Seems like everybody wants to be somebody else. Take it from a Service Dog- I learned a new lesson in life. We are created to be who we are; no one else can replace us, nor can we be them, even if we tried.  You are unique and have a great purpose for your life that only you can fulfill. Enjoy being YOU. You can not be a better someone else because that isn’t who G-d created you to be. You are beautiful just the way you are. Be YOU!

It’s Complicated

My mom took me to the dog park to play the other day. I didn’t know any of the dogs there but it didn’t matter. When another dog walked up the gate to come and play; I ran over to the gate to sniff and greet! I love every dog I ever met, even Pepe and Zeke; two Chihuahuas who seem intent on being the BIG dog who wanted to take my face off in one small nibble (they have big mouths but in noise only -not in actual physical size). I think the little dogs are a hoot. I love running around and jumping over them and keep on running while they are still running their mouth!! They are so cute! I love people too! And I am even starting to like cats. (don’t tell Murphy)

I even love a dog I do not see. In fact, my mom told me about her friends dog Marley and now he is my best dog. You could say we are in a relationship but my mom said in Face Book terms I would have to say “it’s complicated.” We never see each other but I love him. My mom says it is possible to love someone deeply even though you don’t get to see them much or played often.

Why don’t people love each other? I’ve witnessed many more people fights than dog fights. When we fight (I got into a small fight with a beagle the other night) we get over it and usually are having a great time playing 30 seconds later. People seem to stay angry and get bitter. We are sad when we see our humans not get along. Yes, life can be complicated but when “the little Chihuahuas” try to bite your face off, jump over them and keep on running….oh yeah, Murphy the cat said to look back  and smile at them as you run.

 

Keep Going Through

I don’t like going through open doors and I especially dislike elevator doors. My mom waits for me to “go through” as she holds the door open for us. I look back and with all my might try to convince her with my pleading eyes that she should go first. She knows me well. Looking straight at me she commands “Shadow, Go through.”  So I just “do it,” and all is well.

There are things I just don’t like going through. Things I don’t like seeing my mom go through – like the struggles and pain  she goes through every day. I don’t like to see homeless dogs or homeless people go through the heartaches of life. I don’t like to see anyone hurt – not even Murphy, the cat. My mom told me the key is focus ahead and keep putting one paw in front of the other and keep “going through.”

One Paw In Front of Another…

Are you facing something that you don’t think you will be able to go through? Life obstacles are overwhelming at times. Though I go through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil for Thou O Lord are with me. Shadows are harmless.  Keep putting one paw in front of the other. You can “keep going through!”

I Confess!!

Yes, it is true. I am a dog. I will confess before Murphy, the cat leaks this out to the press. I am a Professional Service Dog and my mom keeps a “short leash” on me to remind me of my higher calling…but some times I slip up bad. I am a dog. Today, I chased the cat not just once but three times. Yeah, I know it is what dogs do and my mom excuses me from some of these things. But chewing up the cat’s toy when I don’t even play with my toys pushed the limit. Plus I barked and barked when my mom was very clear about “leaving it” (people talking in the hallway by our door). My mom sent me to the Kennel to remind me to listen and obey. And my treat monies will go to buy Murphy a new toy to replace the one I chewed up. Yeah, acting unprofessionally is not always worth it but I was out of harness today. (sort of like Sunday only Christians who act un-Christian Monday-Saturday). Excuses work-sometimes. The truth is chasing the cat was totally worth it and fun. Besides Murphy was bugging me too, walking by me swinging his tail and…I think he was smiling at me.

My mom needs to know that dog do dogs things and people do people things and often their actions can be wrong, out of regret, anger, pain or frustration or for temporary pleasure. I am but a dog and don’t know the details of why- but my mom threw the remote across the room. It wasn’t a training exercise for me. But I ran and picked it up and brought it back to her. She didn’t even thank me. She held her head in her hands and cried. So I washed her arm. Last night my mom was crying in the shower…she didn’t think I could hear her. She has some bad days lately and then regrets being a “person” reacting out of emotions rather than being a woman of faith.

Concerned!

People (including my mom) need to know it is okay to be “people.” It is not wise to dwell on the things one can not change or continue to do things one ought not do. But there’s a time to forgive yourself, to let go, regroup, face life and go on. Sort of like a professional service dog –a dog needs to be a dog  and sometimes chase the cat. BUT then we get back to the business of the work we are called to do. Serve and help others.

What’s Wrong About “Rights”

It may not be wrong, but it sure it isn’t right! The other day my mom told me to “Kennel.” So I headed over that way. To my shock Murphy was in there! Can you believe the nerve of some cats! At first my mom thought it was cute. This felt like a conspiracy. Murphy seemed to make a point of camping in MY kennel– way back in the corner of it. My mom told me to go in there anyway; so I crawled in and nudged him several times. The goofy cat just rolled over and smiled…well it sure looked like a smile. I backed out of there in a hurry. I was disgusted. What gives him the right to my kennel?

Cat in MY Kennel!!

Some may think it’s no big deal. In fact, my mom compromised for a few days telling me it is just a little change, what could be bad about that? Murphy stayed in for a little while at first. Then he stayed in MY Kennel more and more. The longer Murphy made MY kennel his new home the more displaced I felt. No place to go to chill, no Kennel to go in when I was naughty. I never thought of messing with his cat bed (though I did try to get in his litter box once – he has some interesting stuff in there! And I got in BIG trouble for that).  My life became less structured and my “place” of discipline non-existent since Murphy took over my place. The cat decided that he had “rights” to my Kennel.

Well, my mom said enough was enough and tried to shake Murphy out of the Kennel. (Now that was funny!) It didn’t work. My mom got a spray bottle and with two squirts of water Murphy vacated the Kennel! That was all it took. He has not been in My Kennel since!

Most of the time there is nothing wrong with sharing. But giving up our constitutional rights is another thing. We need to take heed. Most of the time giving in a little turns into giving more than we expect. Give an inch and some will take a mile, or a country. Just give a cat a bed and next he’ll try to take over the dog’s kennel.

Ca-ca- CAT – Catastrophes

Boy, did my mom rock my world! We went to Petco and I thought way cool, mom is going to buy me treats. I was wrong. We adopted a cat!! Sometimes I think my mom is crazy. We have a happy home why ruin it with a ca-ca-cat? Truly this is a CATastophe in the making.

Murphy the cat

Well, to my utter amazement Murphy is a pretty cool cat. You could say my attitude needed some big time adjustments and my mom helped me make them. Do cats laugh? When I chase Murphy, my mom says, “SHADOW KENNEL!” I swear Murphy turns and grins at me just as he takes off to his safe place. The very first night, Murphy had the guts to get on the bed with us! Where is the boundaries boy? My mom was up most the night helping me make more adjustments in my attitude. By morning, not only was Murphy sleeping on the bed with us, he had snuggled up to me!

It has been about a month since Murphy came to live with us. I must confess life is much more interesting. Actually, what I thought was the worst possible thing, turned out to be nice. Don’t tell Murphy but I am rather fond of the little fella. We play and run around the apartment. My mom still likes me best! She tells me I am her favorite dog!

What we think is the worst thing that could happen to us may actually turn out to be wonderful! At first it may not seem like it. Some times our attitude needs to change. It is amazing how much our attitude can dictate whether we look at life as a disaster or an adventure we can learn from and perhaps enjoy. The choice is ultimately ours to make.

Necessary Nudges

 

Sometimes I just gotta nudge my mom. There are times when I tap her with my paw. Sometimes I nudge her with my nose and/or rest my chin on her. Sometimes I use my whole body to block her or get her attention quick. You’d think I would know why I get these sudden urges to “nudge” my mom but it isn’t always so. At times, I just want to make sure she is okay and that she knows I am by her side.

Sometimes my mom says I just want attention and I have to admit that is true. Then one of the times when my mom didn’t wear her V-Pap breathing machine I had to tap her and tap her hard. That night she was a good mom and put the mask back on. A few times I knew my mom didn’t see the curb so I nudge her by walking purposely into her. I do know how to get her attention. A trip or a fall could really hurt my mom so “the necessary nudge” is a true lifesaving technique even when I don’t know for sure why I sense the need to do it. My mom says in a way it is a gift.

Have you ever felt “nudged” before? Perhaps like a gut feeling not to go somewhere or take a different way home from work? Or maybe to make a phone call to someone you hadn’t seen in a while. Pay attention to the “nudges” of life, you never know the life you impact or the life you may save. There are no coincidences in life; rather there are necessary nudges.

I Was Wrong But I was Right…

My mom was in the kitchen and I was laying in the hallway. I heard her say, “Shadow, bring me…” Like Superman transition into action I flew in the living room and picked up the first thing I came to and brought it to my mom. My tail was wagging with the delight of serving as I ran up to her and sat down with a sparkle in my eyes and the slipper in my mouth to give to her. My mom about busted a gut laughing. I was suppose to get my Kong and bring it to her. I didn’t listen too well but so wanted to please her.

My mom had just went to the eye doctor. She told me she tried to remember the letters on the chart (cheating) rather than actually seeing the letters. However, she said now they got a computerized eye chart that changes the letters. No longer would her memory help her. So in her quest to get the letters right she asked permission to squint–hard in order to focus. Permission denied. This too was the wrong way to be right.

There are at least two wrong ways of attempting to do right. In my mom’s case she was wrong in the ways she attempted to get the letters on the chart right. However, my mom said even though my action was wrong- my heart was right. I thought I was doing what my Master wanted. Sometimes you can put your whole heart in doing what you believe is right but find out it was wrong. Be not dismayed, perhaps you have a Master like mine, who looks at the motive of your heart.