service dog

[petey]

A couple of months ago, Marvin started talking about trying to get a "service" dog to help him with small physical tasks (picking up things he drops, getting his newspaper every morning from the driveway, etc.).  He also wanted the dog to be a companion while I'm at work every day.  Well, I checked into it, and it didn't look good for us.  First off, as a dialysis patient, Marvin isn't considered as "severely" disabled as others who apply for a service dog (and we understand that), and the waiting list is long.  Secondly, you have to "pay" for the service dog (starts at around $5,000), and we just don't have that kind of money.

Last Saturday, we were at a little league baseball game, and one of the coaches from a nearby town came to me.  He said he heard that Marvin wanted a service dog, and he said he raised German Shepherd Dogs.  He wanted to know if I wanted a puppy for Marvin to train himself.  I told this man it was a good idea (for Marvin to do the training), but we still couldn't afford to pay for a full-blooded, registered German Shepherd like he raises.  This man (bless his heart) said he had spent about $50 in wormings, puppy vaccinations, etc. per dog in the litter.  He normally sells them for $650 - $750 each.  He said he had the runt left out of the last litter -- a six-week old female, and he'd be willing to let me have her for Marvin for only $50!

We went and picked up "Mandy May" Sunday night.  She's gorgeous, and she absolutely LOVES Marvin -- follows him everywhere, whines when she can't find him, and sleeps on the floor beside his chair while he's doing his home hemo treatments (he wants her to learn to "alert" me, too, if he has a problem on the machine because I don't sit in the room with him the whole time -- just check on him every few minutes).  The night we brought her home, Marvin made a "bed" for her on the floor next to his side of our bed.  But, she went to the dirty clothes basket, drug out the shirt Marvin had on all day, and curled up on it.  She slept there all night!  Marvin is smitten with this puppy -- and she's ALL puppy!  Every day this week while I've been at work, Marvin has doted on her!  He's teaching her not to chew on my shoes, not to drag the rugs around the house by her teeth, not to pull the toilet paper off the roll, etc.  My dog (Hop-Sing, a 5-year-old Pug/Peke mix) is not impressed with his little "sister," and he's trying to teach her some things, too.

Hop-Sing = That's MY momma.  Don't sit in her lap.  Growl, growl, growl.
Hop-Sing = This is MY big king-sized bed.  Don't try to get on it.  Growl, growl, growl.
Hop-Sing = That curly thing is my tail.  Don't try to bite it....OUCH !  Snap! Snap! (no growl here)

Mandy May and Hop-Sing are learning to get along, though.  But, I'm giving Hop-Sing extra attention (like he didn't get enough before), and Marvin is establishing himself as Mandy's master.

Mandy is an AKC registered German Shepherd Dog.  Her grandfather was the top-rated police dog in the US in 2004 and 2005.  Marvin is loving this, and I'm happy for him!

Here's Mandy May...

[okarol]

Sweet!

What a doll!

Funny, I call Amanda from Oz - Manda May!

[thegrammalady]

the puppy is absolutly adorable. how great for marvin

[willieandwinnie]

petey, Manda May is beautiful. Look at that face. Hop-Sing and Manda May will end up being the best of friends. I'm so tickled for Marvin and I know he'll have her trained in no time. Bless that guys heart.

[boxman55]

wow what a good looking puppy...Boxman

[monrein]

Gorgeous pup you guys.  As a kid I grew up with German Shepherds (and Alsatians, similar but a little smaller).  We lived on a farm and never had fewer than three dogs and usually more like five.
Mandy May is a real beauty.

[petey]

Bless that guys heart.

willieandwinnie -- There really are people in this world who are generous and kind and expect nothing in return.  All he asked was that I not tell anyone where we got Mandy May.  When I said, "But this is a wonderful thing you're doing for Marvin, and this opportunity would not have been possible for Marvin without you.  People should know how you've helped your fellow man."  And, he said, "But if I'm doing it for praise from other people, it's not a gift.  I want to do this just for Marvin.  The Lord will know I did something good, and He will reward me for it eventually."    I cried.  Marvin shook his hand (like all manly men do), and then he hugged this other guy.  I cried some more. 

[willieandwinnie]

petey, I'll say a special pray for this gentleman. 

[Romona]

 
It was meant to be!

[Sluff]

What a sweety. Already laying by Daddy's feet.

[Ohio Buckeye]

Awwwwwwww, what a beautiful dog.
What a good friend for Marvin and you and eventually Hop-Sing.
How kind of the man.  God supplies needs in the most awesome ways
and it is so good to hear about this.
Made tears come to my eyes.

[kitkatz]

What a beautiful thing for someone to do for you all.  The pup is gorgeous! Marvin will have a good time training her.

[jbeany]

Awwwww!   

[rose1999]

What a wonderful story, it's lightened my heart.  Hats off to that gentleman.   

Mandy May is adorable (so is Marvin but I won't say that out loud or Petey will  me!!!).  You give so much of yourself Petey it's good to see someone giving to you for once and I'm sure the warm feeling that gentleman had more than made up for the money he may have sold his puppy for.

[xtrememoosetrax]

Congrats to all three of you on this lovely addition to your family. What a sweetie!

[skyedogrocks]

What a wonderful thing for this man to do.  All too often we see and hear so much negativity and not enough good tidings and news.  Love it!!! (I would have cried too).

Now to the puppy, OMG, she is soooooo cute!!!!  LOVE German Sheps, they are fantastic dogs.  She's already a Daddy's Girl!!!

[paddbear0000]

OMG!!! I LOVE her!!! She's absolutely adorable (I hope Zoe didn't see me type this  )! Marvin looks so happy with her.

[willieandwinnie]

So petey, how is Mandy May doing today? I am so jealous!

[petey]

Please don't be jealous, willieandwinnie -- you're missing the best part of puppyhood (  ) now that Willie and Winnie have grown up!  You see, Marvin, Hop-Sing, and I had become "laid back" around the house -- not much excitement, not much barking, not much running down the hall.  Mandy May has reminded all three of us what it's like to be young again, and, frankly, she makes me and Hop-Sing tired!  That puppy has the energy of 15 sugar-filled toddlers!  She runs hard, plays hard, chews hard (two shoes -- and not from the same pair -- destroyed; two other shoes -- and not from the same pair -- missing in action).  For about an hour, she's widddddddddeeeeeeee open.  Then, she flops down at Marvin's feet and sleeps hard for 30 minutes (this is a wonderful time for me and Hop-Sing).  But, then the little monster is up and going again     !

Marvin had me take a picture of her to put in his wallet -- and, hey, I don't think he has a picture of ME in his wallet!  He is absolutely in love with her, and she is with him.

Potty training is going quite well.  She seems to be really smart.  Also, she has slept through the night every night this week (a blessing!).  The only thing is that she's so little and gets under foot a lot.  I've almost broken my neck several times when she got under my feet and  I tried to keep from stepping on her (she doesn't do this to Marvin!).

Marvin put her in the car today and rode her around the block.  He said he thought she needed to "get out of the house."  She rode in the front seat.  If he ever teaches her how to put in his needles, my spot as his caregiver may be in jeopardy!

However, she's cute as can be, and really, really fun to watch (galloping down the hall, her feet won't stop in time to make the turn into our bedroom, sumersaults!).  Marvin has started a collection of toys for her -- so far, she has six; she likes her Scooby Doo stuffed dog the best.  He used to tease me about how much I spoil Hop-Sing.  The shoe is on the other foot now -- no, wait, the shoe is soggy and under the bed (that's where she hid the damn thing)!

[Sunny]

What a wonderful dog for your husband.
Such a good idea. The dog is probably very smart given its breeding. Lots of potential there.
My husband's nephew (23 Yrs old), has been deaf his whole life and has had two service dogs. They have been wonderful
companions and are exceptionally helpful in every way.

[willieandwinnie]

Please don't be jealous, willieandwinnie -- you're missing the best part of puppyhood (  ) now that Willie and Winnie have grown up!  You see, Marvin, Hop-Sing, and I had become "laid back" around the house -- not much excitement, not much barking, not much running down the hall.  Mandy May has reminded all three of us what it's like to be young again, and, frankly, she makes me and Hop-Sing tired!  That puppy has the energy of 15 sugar-filled toddlers!  She runs hard, plays hard, chews hard (two shoes -- and not from the same pair -- destroyed; two other shoes -- and not from the same pair -- missing in action).  For about an hour, she's widddddddddeeeeeeee open.  Then, she flops down at Marvin's feet and sleeps hard for 30 minutes (this is a wonderful time for me and Hop-Sing).  But, then the little monster is up and going again     !

Marvin had me take a picture of her to put in his wallet -- and, hey, I don't think he has a picture of ME in his wallet!  He is absolutely in love with her, and she is with him.

Potty training is going quite well.  She seems to be really smart.  Also, she has slept through the night every night this week (a blessing!).  The only thing is that she's so little and gets under foot a lot.  I've almost broken my neck several times when she got under my feet and  I tried to keep from stepping on her (she doesn't do this to Marvin!).

Marvin put her in the car today and rode her around the block.  He said he thought she needed to "get out of the house."  She rode in the front seat.  If he ever teaches her how to put in his needles, my spot as his caregiver may be in jeopardy!

However, she's cute as can be, and really, really fun to watch (galloping down the hall, her feet won't stop in time to make the turn into our bedroom, sumersaults!).  Marvin has started a collection of toys for her -- so far, she has six; she likes her Scooby Doo stuffed dog the best.  He used to tease me about how much I spoil Hop-Sing.  The shoe is on the other foot now -- no, wait, the shoe is soggy and under the bed (that's where she hid the damn thing)!

Oh petey, I am jealous. Willie is 8 and Winnie is 5 and the crazy cat is 15. It's been a long time since we have had that kind of excitement in our house. Our 2 are so small, 12 pounds, and I never pick my feet up, I shuffle them very slowly. Sorry about your shoes, did she take any of Marvin's? Isn't it amazing how they can go like atomic be-bes and then crash sound to sleep. Wish I could do that. Is Hop-Sing liking her any better? Willie bit Winnie when we brought her home. Why does he need a picture of her when she should be going everywhere with him? I'm so glad that she is sleeping through the night and is catching on to the potty training. Females, to me are easier to train then boys. I bet Mandy May thought she was hot stuff going for a ride with Marvin, that would be a great picture. I can understand what you mean about your caregiver position being in jeopardy, she just might take over the whole house, including poor Hop-Sing. Does Hop-Sing want her toys? Wait until they start playing tug-a-war, that will be funny. I hope you find your shoes in one piece and post more pictures of Mandy May, she is going to grow fast I bet. Give Marvin a hug for me and I guess Mandy May will keep him from joining us on IHD too. Isn't that convenient. 

[flip]

Great looking dog. I have a large Black Lab named Cujo and we walk every night. My ambition is to pee on as many trees as he does. I'm losing but it keeps me inspired.

[paddbear0000]

Petey--Just be careful about claiming she's a service dog and trying to take her in places. The dog must be a certified service dog and have a special license.

[willieandwinnie]

Calling petey........ How are you? How is Mandy May? How is Marvin? How is Hop-Sing adjusting to his sister? Update some pictures. We need information. 

[kellyt]

That is the sweetest story I've heard in a long time!      She is absolutely adorable!  I love puppies!  I'd take them all if I could!  She looks so soft and clean!!!!  I love the awkwardness of puppies.  The fact they can just fall over at any time makes me laugh!   

I've heard you can take any well mannered dog into The Home Depot (on a leash, of course).  I haven't tried it, but our friends take their Golden Retriever all the time.