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elraes_miller

Life does have angels...

Elraes Miller
10 years ago

Last year I posted about working with my black lab Chase in Therapy Dog Training. It took us over 6 mos of commitment with many hours of hard work. And we did pass both the Canine Good Citizenship and Therapy Dog registration.

Sadly, Chase lost use of all limbs due to a spinal degeneration which is linked neurologically. This started with limping on one leg. I took him to a specialist which gave me the sad news that he would not get well. He died the day we received our formal certificates. This wonderful friend would do anything for me and with great joy, he was the ultimate catch/retriever. Training was like wearing a crown to him every day. I was told that the degeneration was a long process and he had lived with this for many years. In looking back I often wonder how he managed his success with this going on. It is not an unknown and affects many other dogs.

After many months my children were adamant that I adopt a dog. This was not what I wanted to do with the loss so difficult to get through, especially knowing we would never be the Therapy team together. There is a bond created during this training that is difficult to put into words. And I still question so many whys with the timing of my loss which cannot be forgotten.

One beautiful day, unexpected or planned, a little gal came into my life. I found her in a cage at an adoption fair going on, while passing by to get to another shopping need. She was sitting far back in a corner away from the rest of the dogs. My heart could not leave her there.

Her name is Maggie and we are already in training. She has the same anticipation and joy learning all. Is far smarter and quicker than I am in our training arena. We have a long way to go for all that is needed and I'm comfortable with the knowledge that we may or may not get there. Passing all qualifications is hard work and time. The path is far more important to me now. She is totally different in personality, 3 yrs old and also a completely different breed than any dog in my life. A mixed red heeler who likes to "talk" loves the world around her.

The angel in my life is our trainer. When I adopted Maggie and we met to introduce her....I was told that our training will not cost a thing. She wants us to be a team with her, this is a gift from Chase and all the Therapy Dog teams to continue a legacy.

There were many here who were so happy about my adventure with Chase and wanted to update long ago. My strength to do so was not there and he is still deeply missed. Our work and love will never be forgotten.

Between my angel and Maggie, a new life begins. Hopefully a positive chapter of a story began for those who responded prior.

Comments (17)

  • DLM2000-GW
    10 years ago

    Oh, technicolor - what a story! I can imagine feeling that you could never fully accept another dog after the tragic events with Chase. But life has a way of putting what we need within reach when we may not even be aware we are ready or even in need. Sounds to me like you have 2 angels in your life - Maggie and your trainer! Thank you so much for sharing.

  • Annie Deighnaugh
    10 years ago

    What a beautiful story. Thank you.

  • gmatx zone 6
    10 years ago

    Technicolor, I'm sorry for your loss of Chase. We have two Blue Heelers and they are such sweethearts - well, most of the time. I think that you will find that they are extremely intelligent. Maybe they should be called "healers" instead of "heelers". We had a Heeler prior to these two, as well as many different breeds over the years, and once you have allowed a Heeler in your home, you will always want one around. A little levity - Emma, our indoor female cat, has named them "those heathen boys" when they invade her territory...LOL

    Let Chase be the angel watching over you and Maggie.

  • ms-thrifty
    10 years ago

    Thank you for such a heart touching story. sympathy for your loss of chance. Isn't amazing how brave dogs are when going thru these things.
    You are an angel too for sharing the joy your dogs bring to others in your therapy program.

  • Elraes Miller
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    I was hesitant to share this story. But remembered those who were so responsive to me. And here you are again. Thank you.

    GMATX...A heeler is new to me, haven't even known anyone who owned one. I know little about them other than reading. Nice of you to tell me a bit about the breed. And nice you have two, I know Maggie would love a playmate, she enjoys other dogs being around. You are right about being smart. Has commands down so well in such a short time, she is ahead of me on hand signals. Although she can also have her own agenda and can be a bit stubborn during normal times.

    A "healer"? I so hope she is, doesn't leave my side, is so gentle and kind. My dogs have always been 2 - 3 times her size, is interesting having a smaller one, much easier for me to handle. And little grooming needed. There are two cats here, yes she can be overjoyed having them around. I really think she wants to play, but they are kings of the castle and will have none of it.

  • bestyears
    10 years ago

    A legacy of love lives on....

  • cat_mom
    10 years ago

    What a touching story!!!

  • golddust
    10 years ago

    What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing Maggie with us.

  • lynninnewmexico
    10 years ago

    What a beautiful story, Technicolor! Thank you for sharing it with us. It touched my heart deeply, as I love dogs. I can't imagine my life with out them . I'm so sorry about the loss of your wonderful Chase. What a special guy he was. I'm happy you now have Maggie and that she has you. I think you were meant for each other. Perhaps you are both the angels each other needed in your lives. I'd like to think so.
    Lynn

  • jlj48
    10 years ago

    What a pretty dog and the program you are involved in sound so cool. I wish you and your new friend the best!

  • cooperbailey
    10 years ago

    Oh no, I am so sorry. I had wondered what had happened.I hope you and Maggie have many great adventures on the way to becoming a therapy dog. blessings and light

  • Faron79
    10 years ago

    da*n onions around here...

    That is a great story!

    Faron

  • Delilah66
    10 years ago

    Truly Love on a Leash!

  • Bethpen
    10 years ago

    Thank you for sharing! I wish you and Maggie the best, she is adorable. I'm with Faron...tears.

    Beth P.

  • daisyinga
    10 years ago

    What a wonderful adventure ahead of you. For you and for Maggie.

    We raised our kids with a red heeler and now have a blue heeler. I was recently getting some medical care when therapy dogs came in, and one of the handlers told me that the therapy dog group has several heelers. She said they function very well as therapy dogs. It's something I'd love to try with my blue heeler - I think she would do very well as a therapy dog as she is very loving to people outside the family, which (in my experience) isn't always the case for a heeler.

    Heelers are wonderful, amazing dogs for the right owner and I think you will love your Maggie. I agree with gmatx that from now on you will always want a heeler around. They are very smart, very trainable, and must have a job to do. These dogs were born to work and to be helpful, and they do it very well.

    Our heelers have been very smart, very trainable, stubborn and sometimes with their own agenda as you say, vigilant and interested in everything about them, and to say they are loyal and devoted is a big understatement. They stick to us like glue and want to "help" with everything we do.

    When my son was in elementary school, our red heeler was "his" dog officially. We had never owned a heeler and didn't realize the extent of the devotion this breed has. We had to get booties for the dog because he would run alongside my son's bike until his paws were bloody and still keep going even then. We had to get a life preserver for him because he would stay out in the lake or ocean with my son until he (the dog) couldn't swim any longer and was in danger of drowning. Until we got the canine life preserver, one of us had to sit on the beach with the dog when he got tired and keep him from going out into the ocean with the rest of the family.

    Our precious red heeler that grew up with our kids was up for any adventure - kayaking, canoeing, sailing, swimming, frisbee, hiking, comfortable in crowds at fairs, flea markets, playgrounds, outdoor concerts. He wanted to do anything my son did, and one time he followed my son up a high dive and jumped in the lake off the high dive. Our beautiful blue heeler girl is shaping up to be the same way.

    Our male heeler only tolerated people who weren't family members or close friends. He didn't care whether other people petted him or noticed him or not. Our female heeler likes people outside the family.

    I wish you the best with your heeler. You and Maggie have a lot of lovely adventures ahead of you!

  • daisyinga
    10 years ago

    After I posted, I thought a bit more and thought I might pass on a warning.

    My red heeler would fearlessly herd anything, and that includes chain saws and weed eaters. And he could open our gates (until we put a lock on them). My blue I have now is not quite as intrepid, but not far from it. We put ours up in a very secure place when any kind of machinery is going that might hurt her. Just putting our red behind a closed gate was not enough. He would get a running start and blow through an electric fence. He once jumped through the closed glass window. And kept going.

    My best to you and Maggie as you do your Therapy Dog training. What a wonderful cause!

  • Elraes Miller
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Daisy..Thank you. Much of what you mentioned is being seen with Maggie. But she loves everything and anything with kindness. Dogs, people, children are all friends. The first week I got her though, it took me 3 days to dig a ditch under the back gate and put bricks in so she couldn't dig out. Plus I put a heavy spring on the front porch gate with latch. She has created a racing path in the yard for energy runs. I don't think she has the brazen interest in going through a window...the very thought of this being a possibility is frightening for vulnerability to her and the outside world. They do want to be everywhere though. And yes there is no fear of noise or clatter at all. A good 90% of her is positive for a Therapy Dog...with significant training. Perhaps whatever her mix is has some genes to balance some of the full bred heeler instincts. One of our commands is Leave It. I can put a treat on top of her paw or throw it anywhere near her and she will leave it for as long as my alpha agrees. Major step in our training...proud mom.

    After basic training I would welcome writing a bit about our adventures in the Therapy Dog Program if there is interest. Many of you have mentioned my being wonderful about working in this program. Reality is the program has given far more back to me personally with wonderful and unique experiences not expected. And a dog with a job is a happy dog.

    I hope any one of you might meet a team one day. They will love you as much as you will them. And you will find teams in the most unexpected places, used for a wide range of "therapy" environments.

    Appreciation for a place at GW to heal and grow through sharing. Quick add on...I am 72, we are never too old. May tell you differently at 82 though.