Lymphedema and our pets

(((Binney)))  I just read this, after being off-line for awhile.  I'm so sad for your loss!! We are training a labradoodle for seizure support/alert. I can completely relate to your article at so many levels.   At 13 months and 35 pounds, she's still a bit ding-dong-ish, but she's catching on and has woven herself into our family. She also does her "job" well, and adds that social support component your article mentions.  I truly cannot imagine the adjustment with the dog gone.  How is your daughter doing with this?  

Our newer big puppy is in replacement of our older dog, a 15 pound poodle from the pound, who started to alert us to our daughter's seizures with no prompting whatsoever.  Shocked us.  The little poodle is now quite elderly and does not alert consistently anymore.  The little, older dog is definitely "bomb proof", the big puppy is not.  Regarding LE, I much prefer the smaller dog as her lower weight does not conflict with my issues.  The bigger dog's weight is a bit more complicated.  She certainly has her enthusiastic moments and nearly pulls me over.  And while her training is getting much better, she still forgets herself and tends to pull.  As it would be, we need to train her to be on the right side, and I am the trainer, so it is my right side which is getting the workout.  My daughter who uses the dog is not a consistent trainer.  My LE is on the right side.  I have to doubly diligent with this puppy so her training is good, but also so she does not rip my arm off.    

Hugz4u - If there is no need for a bigger dog, my input is to get a smaller dog.  They are just so much easier to cuddle, to hold, to bring along, groom, etc.  While I am loving this particular Labradoodle, there is a special place in my heart for this littler ones who can easily fit on a lap and be lifted with no problem.    

Binney, it really is astonishing that the dog can sniff out a blood sugar problem from several feet away!  I really need to have a chat with my dog about finding some way to be useful around here.  Apparently, we're seriously underutilizing his potential talents.  Seriously, you and KC are amazing in your patience to train the dogs to do what you need.

This is off topic, but Gabby Giffords got a service dog, and Binney sent me the link about how he's a dog for special needs veterans:

http://vetdogs.org/Content.aspx?id=2252

Nicole, my horse died 4 months before my diagnosis. My dog is not a service dog, but as a half aussie/half shepherd she has the brains for it, and would be happier with a job.

She consistently jumps on the bed and keeps me company when I wrap. She came from petfinders.com, a rescue from the south where her puppy mill mom mixed it up with an aussie and the litter was disposable. She's almost 9 and such a smart dog.

My daughter has a sato dog from Puerto Rico, who has her nose out of joint about my new granddaughter, while my dog is totally concerned about the baby, the little one, turns her tail and walks off, exuding "No one asked my opinion about this..."

Binney, my parents had an amazing corgi mix, who was a bit tough at first due to past abuse, but grew into a loyal smart dog who was amazing with my children when they were young.

How joyous, Binney!  After having to say goodbye to your last canine friend, your daughter must be beside herself with excitement.  You, too!  I can't wait to hear an update after the new family member settles in!

Another wonderfully written piece of prose binney!!! I have a 30 lb rust colored american cocker spaniel who is my therapy dog, and sometimes causes me to need therapy lol. When I am too depressed to do anything, I at least have her to get my out of bed, to take her out, feed her, water her, pet her, play ball with her. It is really hard to say no to those eyes, those perked up ears, and butt wagging.

However, she pulls like a sled dog. It is not so bad when I can walk in the back fields with a 50-100 ft leash (the drought was great...no weeds in the back fields), but when walking on the roads with a shorter leash, she can aggravate my LE adn PMPS, so I have a nice harness I put on her so she doesn't pull me. Although when I am walking a big hill on a bad day, it would be nice to have her help me LOL...

Anyway, what an important part our pets play in our families. 

Yep, Simon went 20 years.  So here's hoping Penny follows in his footsteps and has a long healthy life.  One funny memory of Simon - he had those short corgi legs and that long corgi nose - whenever he'd sneeze, he'd hit his nose on the floor with the force of the sneeze.  He just couldn't help it the way he was built.  It must have stung, but you couldn't help but chuckle seeing it.

[Edited because I can't spell worth beans!]

Binney - Penny's such a cutie! Here's hoping she's quick on the learning curve. I think that it's truly amazing that you can rescue a pet and then teach her to do something so important!

Earth calling Binney....... You need to come up for air and let us know how your corgi is doing. Is your girl in love with the cutesy pie?Are you still getting up at night or is doggy trained to use that cute nose? Please don't feel compelled to answer if you are very busy or need a rest. Just curious to now where you are at.

Binney... I LOVED the column... You're a great writer!! I hope the dog training continues to go well.

Oh heck, give Penny a hug too.

Hey, ladies, I read somewhere that it's very helpful to writers when their readers post comments online, at the sites where the writing is published. Binney's too sweet to drop any hints, but I'll bet we could all help her get much deserved notice and more opportunities to publish her work if we leave a comment when we read her columns. I put my real name with my comments, but of course, you can use a nom de plume if you like.  Just a thought.  

Now Binney, don't be mad at me because I asked our LE friends to put comments not only here, but at Literary Mama and Persimmon Tree!  I was so touched by both of your current columns.  Gotta help you expand your publishing reach any way I can!

Carol

Marple, there's something very reassuring about reading your description of posting, and posting, and posting again.  Because that could have been me just as easily. Sometimes I get frustrated, sometimes I get impatient, and sometimes I'm just clueless, and my family (especially the adult kids) tell me that I'm social-media clueless!  Except here on bco.  How to post here, I figured out!

Binney

I just saw you on the ADA board! Nicely written reply about training a pup. The subject does come up there now and then. There are a lot of lurkers there, you helped more than just one!