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Why does everyone leave?Read the article this discussion is about
This archived discussion is "read only".
» Renie_Burghardt - Hi Jewl Ann, it's a real shame that people are not more open minded about these wonderful service dogs. Thank you for educating us about them. I enjoyed the article!
-- posted by Renie_Burghardt » LizBird - losing friends over service dogs Hi Jewl,I'm Liz Neville, new to this community. I have a service dog (helper/partner) named Farley, a 3-yr old Australian Shepherd, whom I trained myself. Gee, I'm sorry to hear people have had this sad experience--our experience has been, for the most part, quite the opposite--we've (I speak in the plural quite a bit, as Farley is very much my partner and my best (non-human) friend (he's almost my best friend, period.)--we've met so many friends, human (or as Farls puts it, sillyhoomans) and canine alike. Most of my pre-Farley friends are still our friends, and have "adopted" Farls, too. Now for my not-so-humble opinion on the subject. (A bit of militant disabled attitude, too). Those who reject you because of your dog and/or disability weren't really your friends, after all. As for family, maybe (I'm guessing here) they already had some problem with your disability that they can't/won't admit--lots of families do, unfortunately, and the dog/partner forced them to begin to face it (a living breathing fuzzy reminder--you know the "elephant in the living room story" that illustrates people's--especially family and "friends'"--denial, don't you?). I say to family with attitude like that, "Get over it, get to know your newly-independent Son or Daughter all over again--it's probably high time for a new beginning, anyway. Also, getting to know the new fuzzy partner might do you folks a world of good, too--service pups have a lot to offer everyone, if you're willing to listen to them.". I say to "friends" and potential life partners--even more so, get over it--rejoice that your friend has this new fuzzy partner and helper, who is assisting your friend to become much more of who she/he was always meant to be (this is something that all friends and potential life partners--especially those associated with disabled folks--should hope for their friends); as the old saying goes, "If you truly love someone--as a friend, lover, or family member--let them fly.". If you have unconditional love, they'll come back. If you don't, maybe you relationship was not meant to continue. Anyway, here's hoping the best for you (not just the author of the article, but every disabled person dealing with this). Oh, and if any of you unenlightened yutzes need a perfect example of unconditional love, look at your friends' (daughters', sons', etc.) service dog--and thank them with a pat, a scratch on the ear, or a favorite dog cookie (if their disabled handler allows treats). Thanks for listening. Farley (my own canine life partner) sends Puppywiggles, too. We'll be praying for y'all. --Liz 'n' Farley -- posted by LizBird
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