Some Good News

[HVAC]

I am doing well with my MS Symptoms today. I am working on the depression. I am trying to get a referral to a new MS Specialist.

I am training Polly my Dalmatian to be my service dog. She is so smart. She heels beautifully on my left so people stay clear of my weak side. When we stop she sits or lies next to me. Yesterday we started her training in retrieving my cell phone. We are starting with the case. She was taught not to touch things so it is a challenge, She picked it up four times in a row at the end.

The thing with Polly is she was born deaf but she is a natural at service work.  She is happy all the time. When I put the leash on she goes to work. The real achievement is she is disproving the Dalmatian Club of America's Statement on Deaf Dalmatians that they can't be trained.

I hope you all are well.

Alex

[MsWobbles]

Alex,

I'm so happy that your own dog, Polly, is doing so well learning to be your service dog!!  Retrieving your cell phone will be of great benefit to you!  It's neat that your service dog will be one you already know and are comfortable with.  I hope you let the Dalmation Club of America know about their misconception so that others aren't mislead about  deaf dogs' ability to learn.  

Anymore, I am very wary of blanket statements - especially in medicine - although today there seems to be widespread acceptance and use of such rigidity in the medical arena.

WAF

[HVAC]

I took Polly to Chapel Hill  today  because its Homecoming. She did Great! There were crowds and traffic and crossing streets and bicycles and runners and strollers and even a wheel chair. Nothing phased her. She did not bother anyone and at a cafe she sat quietly by.

I have not been that confident in crowds in a long time. I am wobbly and can't turn to my left quickly so I get very nervous. People also run me over on crowded sidewalks not knowing I can't get out of their way.

Julie I a getting a new MS Specialist because we do not communicate well and his practice has the worst bureaucracy imaginable. I need an MS Specialist I am not afraid to call if I need to.

Alex

[Lulu54]

Polly is lucky to have you and vice versa.  Trained service dogs are amazingly expensive.  A good friend who is a heart patient had to raise $15,000 to help with the cost of her dog, who can detect her syncope episodes, and can call 911.

My coworker's niece is blind and her service companion recently died.  She is now training with a new one, and the cost is over $40,000 for the dog - fortunately a local group has helped with the expense.  

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover the cost of service animals.  They can add such quality to the life of the person.  

Keep it up Alex, and Polly will surprise everyone with what she can learn and do.

my best,
Lulu

[Guitar_grrrl]

I'm so happy for you!  Polly sounds wonderful!  Give her a pat for me.

You doing some talk therapy to get a handle on your depression?  Works for me, anyway...

I met a woman with MS (used a scooter) at the grocery store yesterday who clued me in on a local MS support group.  We exchanged e-mails.  Turns out she's an immunology specialist, and a lot of the conversation surrounds how much the world doesn't know about MS.  I may be looking for an MS specialist, soon, myself.

Good luck and big hugs!
Guitar_grrrl

[rendean]

Just one quick "I told you so" ;-)  I knew YOU could get her to do whatever you needed. I'm so glad she is learning so quickly!

How's the shoulder? Still doing okay?

Tell Polly "Good Girl" for me or what ever you do to praise her.

Ren

[saveone]

That story brings me joy.  Thank you for sharing it.

Deaf dogs are no different than hearing dogs.  You just have to speak to them in a different language.  It is the sme as it is with a person...sign language.

My little old man who passed away recently was totally deaf but he understood things really well.  We just worked it out between us.

I have a boxer.  He is learning to help me also.  Nothing is formal yet.  I am not sure I can train him that specifically.  At this piont he comes to me if I get down in the floor and can't get up.  he will stand for my support as I get up on him.  He lets me lean on him when I am tired and if we go up the hill and i can't do it very well....I say Brody, pull mommy and he will get me up the hill.

This is all natural so I know he could be trained if I had the patience, stamina and the know how.

Congrats on yours,

terry

[shermay]

I wish I could get my St Bernard to do the same thing:)  All he wants is fuss!!  He guards me though I must be fair.

Having said that, the other day somebody arrived that he didn't know and he would not let them near me. He literally stood between me and the builder and barked really loud, the poor guy was frightened to death:))))

He's still a puppy, well 18 mths now, but he's getting there.  St Bernards don't mature until they are at least 2 years old.  He weighs in at 165lb (and still growing) me I'm 6ft and um well my weight is 112lb.  So at least he's a good protector:)) but he's still a baby!!

To teach him to get my cell, he's propably wreck it first and then give it to me:)

Hugs,

Debs xxx

[Sarahsmom46]

That is awesome news Alex.  I agree with you that statements about animals not being able to be trained can be proved wrong again and again.  When you get Polly trained, go and show her off.  

What kinds of things are you going to train her to do?  We have a new employee in our office who has a service dog.  I am legally blind and have considered a guide dog and know what they can do to help, but not sure how service dogs work.  You are so resourceful.

I know you will get the depression under wraps.  Again, you are so resourceful and will find something that will work.

Why are you looking for anew MS specialist?  

Hope the rest of yoru weekend goes well and that the MS symptoms will stay far away and let you enjoy it.  

Julie