Dog Days

In H’s world, people are divided into two categories: those who are kind and friendly and those who are not. He naturally gravitates to the best people. Dogs have that same gift. They also listen to our problems without judgment, love unconditionally, exude happiness when they see us, and intuitively sense the good in people.  That is likely why people with special needs and dogs connect so strongly.

 

One of the amazing skills that we discovered with our dogs was their ability to assess people. Our yellow lab cherished both of our young boys, enjoyed his time with each and checked in on both throughout the night. Our eldest is a special needs young man. Our dog sensed his physical limitations and was very protective, standing close to him or laying by his feet as our son engaged in an activity or watched TV.  When our youngest was around, our dog would grab the nearest toy or ball and ask him to play. Our youngest is athletic and enjoys movement and adventure. Upon seeing our youngest enter the room, our dog would perk up and want energized interaction. Dogs understand our differences and needs.

 

When we were without a dog at home, Hunter would seek dogs everywhere we went. I often chased after him before he could reach out to a strange dog, and although most dogs were friendly, I would stop H and instruct him to please ask before petting a stranger’s dog. At the State Fair, one dog was waiting with his owner at the entrance of a large arena concentrating on the sheep herding activity they were about to begin. I stopped H just before he could reach out and distract this dog and his owner. H really wanted to see this dog so he looked up at the man and said “Can I pet your dog because I don’t have a dog anymore because he died.” The man quickly obliged.

 

When H became a young adult, PCA’s began coming to our house to help him with life skills and activities and one often took him to the Humane Society for regular animal visits. Turn over, however, is fairly high with PCA’s, likely due to low pay, so often the PCA agency would bring in a new employee to see if they were a good fit for our son. I remember one new employee sitting at our table with H, a current PCA and me. As we talked at the table getting to know her, our dog stood to the side of the new PCA, facing her and barking loudly not briefly but for the entire time she sat at our table. She was quiet but seemed OK, and initially I felt badly that our dog was responding this way. He had never responded to a PCA in this manner. A few days later, the current PCA said in the hiring process they found some issues with the new employee so they had to part ways. She never told us what the issues were due to confidentiality but noted our dog knew something wasn’t right.  

 

As vaccinations and warmer weather teamed to allow a bit more freedom from a year of pandemic isolation, we were able to add some safe social activity for H by scheduling outdoor puppy visits with friends. H celebrates annually with two bulldog brothers who share his birthday, one with a cleft lip who make sounds that crack H up and the other who howls a birthday tune. H also hopes to resume assisting his aunt train her dogs for national competitions now that he is vaccinated for Covid. 

 

H often asks for puppy visits, clearly stating that it is because he worries they miss him.  I’m sure they do.