Sandy lays on her mat at my feet. As she sleeps, her toes twitch and her flews puff in and out. What she dreams of, I have no clue. I do know that the past twenty four hours has been the turning point in our time together. Sandy has returned from a sleepover with her new boy, Collin. Collin's mother has reported that Sandy made herself at home the moment she hopped out of their van. She picked up her food dish from the back of the van and trotted into the house as if she had always been there. During their hours together Sandy was either following Collin or Collin was following her. When the excitement wore down, Sandy settled on to her mat for the evening. This trial has been a success, and Sandy will join Collin's family tomorrow in what is hoped to be a long and loving relationship.
Six months ago, I felt a tremendous disappointment as it slowly became apparent that Sandy had too many "issues" to become a service dog. Stealing food from counters, chasing cats, and bouncing in ecstasy when people approached her could never quite be extinguished. Sandy loved people and wanted to share that love from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. What would make her a wonderful therapy or companion dog just made it too difficult for her to be a successful service dog. She could perform all the behaviors, but she just couldn't do them with the drive and focus needed for a disabled person to be able to rely on her.
Shortly after school began we received an
email from a mother looking for a dog for her son who was diagnosed with leukemia.
He had experienced a relapse and was preparing for a bone marrow transplant. His
parents had 
promised him if he would be brave and endure the pain and countless
procedures as bravely as he could, they would find a special dog for him. He
told her he wanted a Labrador Retriever. Emails passed between Collin's mother
and DreamWorkers. A fence was needed. There would have to be some visits. The
family would have to make a commitment to continue Sandy's training so that they
would know as much as Sandy does.
Tomorrow all the waiting is over. Sandy will enter a new phase of her life. She has traveled a long way in three years. Dreams and expectations for her have changed several times. The saying that when one door is closed, another is opened is true. I believe that Sandy's dream tonight is of chasing balls and playing a doggie version of tag with her new boy.
Tomorrow, I believe that dream will come true.
Passing the Leash Home The Big Day