Does anyone have a Service Dog that helps you with your MS weaknesses?

I have a nearly 4-year-old Golden Retriever that we rescued as a 10-month-old puppy mill rescue in 2009 through Adopt A Golden Atlanta. They took in 31 puppies that day from the breeder. Yes, there are bad breeders out there.

Ragan had spent all of his puppy life in a wire cage that wsn't even tall enough for him to sit up completely. He was underweight but not emaceated. No toys. No treats. No loving hands. He'd never felt grass under his feet. Didn't even know what to do when he was faced with regular household stairs. At first he was startled by unseen noises like train whitles, an ice dispenser, car horns, sirens ... even the squeaky noises from dog toys.

After a month with AGA he had gained weight, had received proper dental care, was de-wormed, vaccinated, was almost house-broken, and he found out he loved people. What a forgiving little soul.

So my DH and I adopted and trained him. Not only in normal dog stuff like obedience and fun tricks, but to help me around the house. To not be afraid of my powerchair. Or of cats. Then, not to chase the cats.

Ragan has a "big brother" (not a rescue) Walker, who is a year older. He can do the same skills, but he says, "Why? Ragan will do it." And he's right.

I'd be curious to know if you have a pet who helps you.

MsBluIs

Attached Images

	Ragan beautiful face 9 mos 0610.jpg (53.3 KB, 185 views)
	Walker & Ragan handsome boys 2012.jpg (210.4 KB, 186 views)
	Walker and Ragan commandeer the queen bed 2 081613.jpg (68.5 KB, 180 views)

I'd love love love to have a dog, helper or not, but
I don't have the power, alone, to raise another dog.

Your dogs/cat are are adorable.

What beautiful dogs. Their capacity to adapt and forgive is so inspiring.

he is so beautiful and what a blessing he found you.
i don't have a dog but i'm so happy you have him.

What beautiful dogs!!! They are both lucky to have found a home with you.

Like Sally, I would love, love, love to have a dog. Walking them and exercising them is the difficult part. The cooler months wouldn't be bad at all, but the hot summer months . . . It's just too hot outside for me to walk them.

Have you thought about adopting a retired racing Greyhound? They are sixty mile an hour couch potatoes. They require very minimal exercise and are very loving and gentle. They are on the hypoallergenic list and are a recommended pet for people with disabilities. Wonderful, wonderful animals.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7OYUgfEBa8

Those dogs are so beautiful. You are both so lucky to have each other. We have had cats for several years. Both of them were bought for me but seem to really take to Charlie. I think she senses that Charlie needs to pet an animal and have them respond to him, roll over and purr. He can be so tense and he loves it when she comes over, all he has to do is his special meow. I have tried to meow and it just doens't work. A good while ago we had a dog and he really had a sense when I wasn't feeling well. He would be by my side all the time

I have a service dog, an Australian Shepherd. I had a wonderful Schnauzer. She died of cancer on February 10th, 2014. Broke my heart because she was truly my soul dog. I now have a Schnauzer puppy. My dogs do (and will) get things for me. Things I've dropped. Things I need them to get ie the phone or the remote control if it is within their reach. Clothes. Towel. Anything. All I have to do is point and say "get it!" My Aussie, Skye, helps me get up when I need it. I'm currently teaching him to wipe his feet when he comes inside.

Exercise isnt really all that hard. A human can't possibly walk or even run fast enough to exercise a dog. A little Frisbee, ball or tug of war will exercise a dog nicely. Mostly they long for attention.