Excuse Me...Did You Know That Your Lovely Dog Has Ginormous Feet?

Checking out at the doctor's office was pretty funny this week. It's always amusing watching people's reaction to Frax. An older lady ahead of me in line, turned around and saw Frax and I waiting patiently behind her. She exclaimed “He's so BIG~ how did they match you with such a big dog?! Bill and I both laughed as I explained that at Canine Assistants, the dogs pick their humans for the most part, the staff and trainers have their imput as well, watching how each candidate works with each dog they are with during the selection process. Pretty much though, especially with Jet and Frax, they decided that I was their 'mom' and that was that!

She asked what kind of dog he was and I explained that he was a Golden/Labrador mix, more Golden than Lab~ ¾ Golden and ¼ Yellow Labrador. Then we laughed some more when she exclaimed “Look at those feet of his! They're ginormous! Well...they are. He'd look stupid with small feet as big as he is.

We chatted a bit more, then it was our turn at the checkout. The nice lady sat with her family, and watched Frax and I work together. I was using 'pinkie' the wheelchair, to conserve my energy during our day out and about. Sometimes I think when I'm sitting in pinkie, that I make Frax look a lot bigger than he is~ an optical illusion. I know that many moons ago when Bill and I showed our dog, Hannah, she was a bit on the tall side for a Dalmatian. Ultimately, Bill took over at the end, showing her in the ring, because next to him, she looked just a normal size. Again, an optical illusion.

Frax's strength helps so much. Today I squatted down to look at something in a store. This is always a problematic move, and I should know better than to do that, especially when alone. My legs get me down just fine, but when it's time to get back up~ I've got 'nuthin. It's been that way since I was diagnosed. It was one of the first big deficits that came from the MS. I can feel my legs and the muscles down there just fine...my brain gives the order to bring me back to a standing position but nothing happens. It's the most frustrating thing in the world. I rock back and forth, and clutch nearby objects trying to heave myself up. The legs and lower torso being the heaviest part of a human body, I never have much luck doing that. Today my 'good' leg decided not to help out. So I had both of them just squatted down. Lovely.

First, I tried the 'bear hug' around Frax's upper torso, with myself on one knee, and the 'good' leg bent up a bit. I tried to lever myself up as Frax braced against me. Didn't work. Then I tried having Frax sit as I held his shoulders on either side...using his backward motion to pull me forward, then using the 'good' leg to push me forward further...then pushing downward briefly to stabilize myself as I slowly stood up. This second maneuver is what ultimately got me up, but it takes timing between Frax and I.

Once I got back up, I praised him profusely. He is so good helping me brace and move. Before I got a service dog I used a cane, and on bad days a walker. Neither one could help in a situation like above. My dog helps me to maintain the strength I have in my legs. Many times I do not take any pain medicine if I'm going out, because I know I need every bit of strength to maneuver around, especially if we aren't using 'pinkie'. I must try and remember not to get into a situation like today. It was more difficult to get up than ever before. Thank God for Frax.

*Please remember: Frax and I have been taught how to move to best maximize my ability to live a normal life. When I brace with Frax I make sure to use his strong upper shoulders, and not to push on his back. Please do not perform these manuevers with your own dog except under the close supervision of an expericenced trainer that understands your specific motion needs. An experienced trainer teaches the handler how to move with her dog properly, to keep both her and her dog safe at all times. Please realize that not all dogs would be able to perform some of these movements because they are too small. There's always other ways to do things though, and in training when you are placed with your dog, these needs are always gone through with the trainer and the recipient. Over time both your needs and your dogs needs as he ages will change. So it's a fluid process. Always check with your agency/trainer if your needs have changed, or as your dog ages and his abilities change.*

There's much more to working with a service dog than most people think. When you go out that door you are responsible not only for yourself, but for your dog. He's working hard to keep you safe, but you must do your part to keep him safe. With all the dogs around Knoxville these days, I try and give them a wide berth, since most aren't trained to the level that Frax is naturally, and want to 'shake hands' and be convivial when they see him approaching. Other dogs have no concept of what or why Frax doesn't respond to them. It's not normal doggie behavior and it's concerning to the other dog. How the other dog reacts has more to do with his level of training, and what his person does.