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Post by yvonne on May 11, 2011 11:02:40 GMT -5
 He is so in tuned to people and I would almost call him an empath. He took to the role of taking care of me and knowing just when and how without any real guidance on my part. He knows when the vest goes on he is on duty and he is very serious about it for his still puppy age. I feel able to go out again any time I want and anywhere I want. |
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Post by elana55 on May 11, 2011 13:38:07 GMT -5
I am curious as to his duties. If you do not want to talk about that because this is a public forum, then that is OK.
I know very little about service dogs.
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Post by yvonne on May 11, 2011 14:29:49 GMT -5
My issues are my sugar levels drop to 35-40 with no warning which of course makes it dangerous for me but for others as well if I am driving. Diabetics all have different issues and their own way of controlling this disease. I am on the lowest dose of meds to keep my body from breaking down over time with sugars running just above average. If I do not take the meds blood vessels weaken and heart issues will most likely kill me earlier than I want. I did go years refusing meds even though it was dangerous but I cannot get out and live while on the meds and risk hurting someone and I got tired of being homebound unless someone else drove me somewhere. I have always been an independent person <hubby says stubborn> Even if I am safe at home and not a danger to someone I do not want to slip into a comma and die. I have had over five dogs since my medical issues and only two have been able to sense and alert to the issue. The first had medical issues herself and needed euthanasia to bring her peace at an early age as well as her temperament disallowed her to go in public. Ulf has stepped up from day one alerting when he knows my sugars are low by body blocking me and grabbing my elbow stopping me. This did not need to be taught to him as he is a natural and is consistent with both the alerts and his signal to the alerts. I could never risk harming anyone or possibly killing them with passing out behind the wheel. This dog allows me to relax and go out and enjoy life again. We have also trained him to fetch help, and he can paw the big 911 button when he and I are home alone. He will upon me getting groggy make me wake up with pawing whining and licking my face until he gets me aware again even after help has administered glucose. While I am driving he will alert me in plenty of time to pull over and check my level. He alerts me to medicine times < when I am working time slips by and I have found my cell alarm and other alarms are not always trust worthy> My leg repair has been very successful however at times because of the nerve damage in my feet <diabetes> I sometimes do not place a foot right because I cannot feel under it and he will steady me to keep me from falling. Stairs used to give me great amounts of trouble but I am improving on those as well. Bless the doctor I found in Knoxville since moving here in my leg repair work  |
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Post by Admin on May 12, 2011 0:14:37 GMT -5
I am glad you are out and around again. We have missed you in the dog world. Now you must come take one of my seminars again.
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Post by yvonne on May 12, 2011 15:23:36 GMT -5
I have missed SAR and doubt I will ever be in condition enough to do so again. I will however always be available to volunteer in any capacity needed to you all. I will still attend seminars and any learning I can gather as I will never wish to quit adding to my knowledge.
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Post by elana55 on May 12, 2011 20:15:36 GMT -5
Ya know.. with a good horse you can do SAR. I had horses you could ride through the worse brush and thick trees and they would never scrape me off. It is like allowing you to be free.
I taught a little therapeutic riding to kids with CP years ago. For some of those kids who were wheel chair bound it was like giving them legs that worked.
I am sorry you are diabetic. I don't know if it would work for you but my boss' son is a juvenile diabetic on inuslin and he has a pump. They are very pleased with the results of this as his sugar levels are very very stable.
I am glad Ulf gives you some freedom. I know about that independent streak. I am so independent that I have to live alone with the 2 dogs and 6 cats...
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Post by wvasko on May 14, 2011 7:38:34 GMT -5
I've got to get out more, Yvonne I had no idea of your health problems but cheers to Ulf, keep medications going as there are more dogs in future that will need your guidance.
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Post by yvonne on May 14, 2011 15:40:54 GMT -5
I fought the genetics of my disease a long time with proper diet and exercise, but it was a loosing battle with loss of mobility lol I gained a lot of weight with lower ability to be mobile. I have lost 27 pounds since they repaired the damage though I have some more to go but I am having fun with my dogs doing it and it will help my diabetes. May have to consider the horse idea and Georgie is stable enough to do it which was surprising with him being a thoroughbred lol |
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Post by elana55 on May 24, 2011 9:10:25 GMT -5
I have had Thoroughbreds that herded cattle. Fact is, I had a nice Mahmoud line "hunter" type mare that was darn good on stock. Plain chestnut and in today's market probably not worth much (but she did produce a Premium Oldenburg filly that went FEI dressage after she left me).
Even a large pony that is older and mentally stable is good for trashing thru the brush if you are doing SAR etc. Better on bad terrain too.
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Post by yvonne on Jun 2, 2011 20:39:25 GMT -5
he has even turned into a very calm and patient school horse for my 10 year old son |
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