Leon

[Sheenar]

Had our visit at A&M today. Did not get good news as I had hoped. Have had to make a very hard decision --one I've been trying anything and everything to avoid making for the past year.

But this is it. Have to make that phone call this morning. Leon will be going back to the program that trained him. Specialist said he will struggle with severe allergies for the rest of his life--and require specialist care, medications, etc. Said that Leon got the short end of the stick genetically--he's a sick dog.

I cannot provide the specialist care for him long-term. I can provide care for a healthy dog --food, routine vet care, supplies, etc. --but I cannot support financially the constant cycle of dog breaks out in rash, drive an hour and a half to specialist, get meds, rash goes away in a few weeks --then comes back after meds are done--back to the specialist. I just can't support that on my income. He needs to be where he can get the care he needs.


This hurts. And sucks. More details to come after I make that call --but prayer would be greatly appreciated. I am heartbroken.

[Sheenar]

Made the phone call to his program this morning. Got voice mail, so I left a message for the Program Director.

This is really hard. He's my little boy, my partner in independence, my friend/confidante, my goofball, my helper. Losing him is going to be a hard blow, but I have to do what is best for us both. I'll have to adapt and move on like always --it's not going to be easy at all, but God is faithful.

[TopazRaven]

I'm so sorry you had to make that decision. You are definitely doing the right thing though by making sure he'll get the care he needs. I understand how hard it is to become so attached to an animal, for them to become so close and loved and then having to say goodbye. I'll be praying for both you and Leon today. Hang in there.

[ClaecElric4God]

Aw, so sorry Sheenar. That must have been such a hard decision. I understand losing a pet you love, but I can't fathom how hard it must be to lose a partner. Leon sounds like such a great dog, and I'm so sorry you have to part with him. Praying for strength and encouragement.

[Kaori]

Having never been through a similar situation myself, I can only imagine how difficult that must be. Praying for God's best for both of you.

[Atria35]

I'm so sorry to hear this D: Praying that you'll find another wonderful friend that's as terrific as Leon!

[Xeno]

Terribly sorry about this Sheenar. I know what it's like to be attached to an animal, and I'm sure your connection to Leon is much stronger than any I've had with a pet I've had. I hope you find another one soon that you can take care of and that can take care of you.

[AdriTan]

Im so sorry! that must be so aweful I'm praying for you!

[AndrewinIce]

A pet leaving hurts just as much as a human leaving...Praying...

[Sheenar]

Just got the email today--Leon will be going on a plane back to PA on Tuesday morning.

Only a few days left with my little boy. I want to take Leon for runs, take lots of photos and some videos, and play with him --make the most of the remaining time.
This is so hard.

I had a lot of plans of things to do with Leon --and the wreck screwed things up. But I can take my scooter and take him for runs --and take photos of him by the pond and by all the pretty flowers that are coming up. Can put him on the long line to play in the yard with his Jolly Ball.

I'm going to miss him so much! I pray that he has a long, happy life with a family who loves him and takes good care of him --if they have kids he can play with, that would be even better.

Tuesday is going to be one very hard day for me...

I have been in contact with a couple of assistance dog programs. I want to go ahead and begin the process of finding another service dog --the wait is often a year or more, so I have decided to get the process started. Please pray that the right decision would be made and that a good match for a successor dog be found for me. It's a long and involved process. I want to make sure that I don't make any rash decisions, that I watch carefully for any red flags, and that I really weigh the pros and cons of each program before making a decision.

[Sheenar]

Took Leon to the airport this morning. We met a very nice man there who is a volunteer with the Puppies in Flight program. Went over Leon's medications, basic commands, etc. with him. My friend and I took some photos and gave goodbye hugs and kisses. I told him thank you for everything and to be a good boy. Then I told him to go with the volunteer. He trotted off happily with him without even looking back once.

Got a call this evening that Leon has arrived safely in Pennsylvania. He's staying with a volunteer family tonight and tomorrow will return to CPL for evaluation. It's hitting me that my little boy is gone. I've gone through almost an entire box of Kleenex. It just does not feel like home without him here --his empty bed, his food bowl, his leashes and collars hanging by the door, his remaining toys (the ones I did not send off to CPL) --they're all reminders that he is gone.
I'm going to be spotty in my online presence for a while. Just wanted to let y'all know that he made it there okay.

[AdriTan]

I'm praying for both of you!

[Sheenar]

I miss him so much. The evenings and nights when the busy days are over are the hardest. As are the mornings when he is not there to happily greet me when I wake up. I'm hanging in there --this sure is tough, though.

No further word yet on Leon. I sent an email on Tuesday and have not heard back yet. I pray that he is okay. Will call tomorrow to see if they received my package for him.

Two very good friends took me geocaching on Tuesday when I got home from the airport and hung out with me for a bit that evening. Really helped make a very difficult day better. I am very grateful for loving friends like them.

[Psycho Molos]

awww I know about losing a pet, hope things are better...so did your friends convert you from muggledom yet?

[Xeno]

so did your friends convert you from muggledom yet?

Really? What does this have to do with anything going on in this thread? Sheenar has said absolutely nothing having to do with Harry Potter, and then this pops out. Don't bring up stupid and irrelevant stuff. It's not cute, it's not funny, it's weird.

[Psycho Molos]

It's not about HP, it was referring to geocaching.

[Sheenar]

It's not about HP, it was referring to geocaching.

Non Geocachers are referred to as muggles. I've been caching several times --it's definitely something I enjoy doing --though don't get to do very often. Sometimes a cache will be "muggled" --meaning a member of the public will stumble across it and take it out of its location.
I didn't take any offense --don't worry.

It's been a really rough week --though it has been very busy, which has helped somewhat --been too tired each night when I get home to think about things much. I have been just crashing and going right to sleep.

I heard back from Leon's program yesterday. He is doing okay. Though I am angry about something I was told --the trainer that is evaluating him mentioned that they were planning on placing him with another person in the Fall graduating class (as a full service dog) if "his condition doesn't seem bad" --even though the vet at A&M said that he should not be working in the notes that I sent them. So he will be in the kennels (he'll be taken out for training, cuddle time, play time, etc. --but it's still not an environment anything like a home) for 4-6 months until they decide to either place him or release him from the program. I am really hoping they won't place him as a full service dog --but as a skilled home companion for a child or adult that needs help around the house, but doesn't want or qualify for a full service dog (not old enough, homebound, etc.)

Please pray that they don't place him with another person as a full service dog. I've been through heck the past year and 8 months trying to keep his autoimmune disease under control. I don't want another person to go through that hardship and heartache.

[Psycho Molos]

Thanks for the help Sheenat I was wondering how to explain while not derailing...too much

Anyway I'm glad that you're trying to keep your mind busy and off your troubles. You've been having an overwhelming string of events.

[Sheenar]

I'm still grieving pretty badly --it hit me in a big wave this morning. I'm finding that's how it's going --in waves.

Today would be a gorgeous day to take him for a run. I wish I could give him a hug one more time.

Here's a photo of him and me from our last bit of time together (taken at the airport the day he went back to PA):



And one of him smiling. I miss this face SO much!


Prayer that I would be able to get Orientation and Mobility training would be appreciated. A guide dog organization that I contacted has said that they can train a guide for me (for my sensory processing disorder --Leon did some guide-like tasks in addition to the other things he did). I just need O&M training first --which would be beneficial for me anyway as my sensory issues have been kicking my booty even more since the virus I had in November/December. Being taught how to navigate on foot safely would be wonderful as I wouldn't get disoriented so easily and lose sense of direction.

[Wolfsong]

I know what its like to lose a pet, though mine was a cat. I'm praying for you, and Leon too.

[AdriTan]

Leon looks like my sister's dog, Flour. He's very cute. I'm still praying.

[Sheenar]

Wanted to give an update. Leon is still under evaluation at his program. No decision has been reached yet as to where to place him. They probably will not reach a decision for several more months (they were talking about placing him in the Fall class--which is in October).

Losing him is still so fresh and painful. I saw a black Lab puppy at my counselor's office (he belongs to the clinic owner) and started to cry. I miss him so much. I feel like a part of myself is missing.

I made a clay paw print of his paw the week before he left. I haven't been able to bring myself to look at it until this evening. I plan to paint it and then display it with a photo or two to remember him by. I think the process will be therapeutic for me.

[ClaecElric4God]

Still praying, Sheenar. Glad to hear that you're doing at least a little better, even though you're still having a hard time.