Say "Hello" to Reba

Reba is a Labrador / pit-bull mix who is joining me as my personal companion, medic alert and service dog.  (And a very merry Solstice/Xmas present she is too ... haven't you ever wanted a pup for a present?)  She'll need training, of course, but just having her here will be reassuring.

My first introduction to Reba was an emailed flyer reproduced below:

WAG Puppy Ready for New Forever Home

(WAG is a local non-profit dog rescue organization)

A couple of months ago, I'd woke up about three in the morning, feeling woozy and I had to -- quite literally -- crawl out of bed (and across the floor) to get to a phone and call for assistance.  According to the medics, my blood sugar was 23 ... and that's scary.  (This isn't the only time I've woken up with low sugar readings but it's never been anything like that low before ... or since.  But even once is scary ... really scary.)

We've made changes since then.  There's one phone by my bed (battery powered memory, etc in case of power outages) which has three preprogrammed, one-touch buttons to call 911, a neighbor and (of course) Mary.  And there's a cell phone there as well (also programmed) along with raisins, crackers ... well, emergency foods.

But we'd been talking about wanting a dog for a while.  We'd met service dogs and talked to people who had them and who trained them but we' weren't sure how to go about getting a suitable dog and getting training.  I had been in contact with one group of trainers who specialize in diabetic aide dogs but the expenses (over $10,000 even with subsidies) were simply too much.

On the other hand, I had received a few offers of assistance with training ... but the question remained; what kind of dog, where to find one, what temperament, etc.

So, late one night, Mary posted an email to our local FreeCycle group under the heading: "Dreaming of ... a medium sized dog for elder in Coyle"

The email continued: "Dreaming of a medium sized dog for indoor/outdoor lifestyle: long walks in snowy woods, cozy indoors for long hours and nights (no crating). Peaceful forest home, one cat."

The next morning -- I had no knowledge of the original post -- I found a number of responses including notes from others who had similar situations, reports that they had forwarded the email to groups such as the Dog 4H Leader, suggestions for aid groups to contact ... and, not least, the flyer above.

So, this afternoon, we went to meet Reba.  And for her to meet us -- this has to be a mutual thing or it won't work.

And we were impressed by her demeanor, by her obvious intelligence and ... well, there was a lot to like.  And she liked us as well ... so much so, apparently, that when we left, she wanted to come along.  A good sign.

So, in a week or so -- after I have time to install the new dog door -- she'll be joining us here at Dranpa.  Her uniform is on the way, I have more offers to help with training and ... well, it won't happen overnight but I'm confident that it will happen ... and that alone is reassuring.  A reassurance that is very welcome.

Therefore ... watch this space and I'll let you know how things progress ... and post some new pictures of Reba in her new uniform and while she's "working".  (I'm also hoping that she'll learn to sniff out geocaches -- sometimes they're tough to find and I figure she'll enjoy the hunt.)

And here's Reba's "passport" photo ...

Click on photo for Reba's Blog

Reba Finds A New Home

We loved Reba and still love Reba but several problems developed in our lives together.  

1) At less than a year old, Reba had passed 90 lbs, making it very difficult for me (or Mary) to control her.

2) As a 90 lb puppy (and she was still a puppy) Reba was having trouble fitting into our 34 foot motor home.

These two factors were ones we were trying to handle ... right up until ...

3) Mary broke her hip and had to have hip replacement surgery.  (No, Reba wasn't responsible in any fashion.)

This last factor was the one we couldn't handle.  There was simply no way that I could bring Mary home from the recovery center (who did an excellent job, no complaints there) to continue recuperation with a 90+ pound dog who would drag her around or knock her down ... without intending to do either.

To make a long and painful story short, Reba is now with a younger family, has someone's bed to sleep on (just as she did here) and -- drum roll please -- has four (4!) Labrador Retrievers to play with.  She is very happy there and we've (more or less) gotten over her departure.

And I have a new companion now -- his name is Keiser and his story appears on his own page -- who is not taking Reba's place but who has a place of his own in our hearts.

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