Service Dog? Ragan, my avatar.
 

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. :D

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

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.:hug:

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

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 . . .:eek::eek: 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

My mom often said so, and I believe it to be true. I am not old enough to have a dog.

I don't have a service dog, but I do have 2 "service" cats, one is my personal masseur, he's better than any PT out there, just gives a few little sniffs and starts his attack on the offending muscle group. He'll curl up over it with a low rumbling purr, make sure it's all nice and warm then start kneading away with little acupuncture taps occasionally and if it cools down he'll curl up again till it warms up nicely again. He wasn't trained to do any of it, got him as a kitten from someone desperate to find him a home, but couldn't imagine keeping my sanity some days without him. My other cat isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he loves opening and closing doors for his mommy, of course sometimes he closes them in my face, but he's too cute especially when he realizes his mistake and becomes frantic to open the door again without thumbs it's a real challenge for him if he shuts it too hard. He also retrieves hair ties for me, and loves to pull them out at night, about the only line I draw with his bid of helpfulness is when he wants to retrieve any food that falls on the floor, it's been slow work teaching him not to pick it up and drop it back on my plate. But both are amazing since neither were trained or even really encouraged to be the little helpers they are. I know a dog, even trained service dog is beyond my capabilities to care for, but my cats are excellent nurses and super low maintenance, they can care for themselves better than I can and yet still find time to take care of me too.

I love your service cats. :D. You will discover lots of cat lovers are lots of
cat lovers here, who will agree with you, whole heartedly on their
superior intelligence.

I'm both a dog and cat lover, but can no longer give them the care they
deserve..:(. My little doggy in my avatar, passed away, last year. He
was 15/16 years old.