She’s Not a Pet!
A service dog performs specific work/tasks that are directly related to its handler’s disability. Mine has taken this to a new level.
I was having an extremely rough go of it a short time ago. On this particular morning after experiencing another night in hell, I decided that I’d had enough and couldn’t take it any longer. My service dog, Loc, and I got into my jeep and were to somewhere in northern Michigan. I did not know “where” exactly we were headed, but I did know that I wasn’t coming home.
However, Loc had other plans. She showed up with her “A” game and knocked it out of the park for me!
She jumped into the front passenger seat of my jeep. She has never once ridden in the front seat of my jeep — ever! Her spot is in the back seat, where I have a full hammock-style seat cover which gives her plenty of room to move about freely and comfortably. Then she started whimpering as if she was trying to tell me something important like she has a severe case of diarrhea and was about to explode. I kept looking over at her because her eyes were laser-focused on me and her ears were standing straight up and pointing forward. I couldn’t figure out why she decided to do this right now. Suddenly, I a moment of clarity came over me. I had not made any plans for her and who was going to take care of her. I knew I had to return home at least to figure something out. I turned around and drove home. I opened her door and told her “off.” She leaped out and was running around the yard practically bouncing off all the trees. This is one of her many alerts — “hurry up.”
Once inside, I emptied my pockets and put my cell on the table, and walked away. I was still in a PTSD episode. As I was storming through the living room toward the stairway, Loc was right on my heels, as usual. However, there was something that just felt different about it this time. When I turned around to face her I noticed that was holding my cellphone in her mouth. She dropped it right at my feet and then slinked off upstairs to her “spot.” Another one her alerts — she doesn’t like it when I’m in a PTSD rage and her way of telling me to do something about it is to get away from me.
I knew exactly what she was telling me by grabbing my cellphone, following me until I stopped, turned to face her, and then dropping it at my feet — I needed to pick it up and call someone to get help now! She knew that she couldn’t help me anymore. I cannot and probably will not ever fully understand how she developed this incredibly amazing new alert technique. I know that it is not an alert technique that Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs trained her to perform. Regardless, she did it!
I did exactly what Loc told me to do; I called a very supportive and close friend. I told him everything. I told him that I was in a very dark spot right now — I had come to that point again where death appeared to be the only viable option. I realize that reading this may be challenging for some people. However, it is my reality and I am not ashamed. My friend asked me if it would help if could go someplace where it is quiet, less crowded, and no traffic? I agreed that would be nice, but I wasn’t able to think clearly at that time. He told me to go spend a few days at his cottage and told me where the spare key is hidden — that I could go relax and hike through the woods where it would be peaceful. I did. And I’m sitting here breathing and writing this article all because Loc found yet another way to save my life!
Today, March 4, 2021, Loc and I have been together for three years. In that time, we have never once been apart. Wherever I go, Loc goes too. This includes her lying on the bathroom floor when I’m in the shower and slamming the bathroom door wide open with her head whenever I’m using the bathroom! Our bond is next level. We are incredibly in sync. I need her. She needs me.
I believe 100% that God, as I understand him/her comes to me and speaks through Loc. She is a vessel for this spiritual energy and it comes straight through her to me. Loc is one of the many women who’ve had a huge impact on me and I am eternally grateful to be taking this journey with her at my side.
