I write this with tears in my eyes and hope in my heart ….

For those of you who have followed Faith and Honor throughout their *Deployment* together, it has been a whirlwind year for them both….from Honor being nominated for Hero Dog   through Faith and her two cancer surgeries. They have spoke on Stiggy’s Dogs behalf to many News Reporters/TV/Magazines and personal groups. Together they have helped other Veterans and trudged though many obstacles. Faith and Honor are an inspiration to me personally, and at times kept my faith in this mission I work so hard to achieve.

And yet again, we are about to learn another valuable lesson from these two.  Retiring Honor was no easy decision. Taking this next step to be repaired with another Service Dog, is a venture we are yet to discover. Faith, as a combat female Air Force Veteran, has been a warrior and leader her whole life. If anyone can make this transition, come out a success and be a guide for other Veterans that may be on this situation one day…. it is you Faith Harris.

Here, in her words, is The Next Chapter:

I am a Veteran with PTSD. I have dealt with the night mares, panic attacks, judgment from others and so much pain that all I wanted to do was find the darkest place and never leave. I know what it’s like to go through life feeling lost and nothing ever makes you safe. 

Then 2 years ago came and I found my best friend through Stiggy’s Dogs. Her name is Honor she is my service dog. From the moment we met our bond was like nothing I had felt is such a long time and I once again felt safe. The best way I can explain the feeling I felt was like being back with my brothers and sisters of the armed forces. That feeling of knowing you had someone that would lay down their life for you and vice versa. I left Stiggys with Honor and we hit the ground running. Right after we returned I got sick with cancer. Like a true friend Honor was by my side through all the doctor appointments and the surgery’s. She gave me the strength to return to school and get out of the house and because of that I was able to help other Veterans. For that I could never thank her enough. Now it’s my turn to return the favor to her. For the past 8 months Honors bladder has been leaking (due to a bad spay surgery) and it is unrepairable. The only recourse is medications, one that we had to take her off because her heart swelled. For the past two months it was getting worse and the new meds  made her anxiety act up .She has not been able to work because of it.  

I had to do a lot of thinking about what I was going to do. I contacted Jen and we talked about it. I cried because I knew no matter what, I could not let my best friend go… it would be like losing one of my troops and I could not go through that. She has done so much for me and my family. I owed it to her to let her live her life out happy and stress free. So after doing a lot of soul searching and thinking, I have decided to retire Honor and let her live her life out happy and spoiled like she deserves.  

My story does not end there because I know what it’s like to have the benefits of a service dog by my side I asked Jen for the biggest favor, “Can you please find me a new Service Dog. I want, I need to get back where I was before Honor could not work”, And without a second thought Jen and Donna went out on a search for the perfect dog.  After many pictures and phone calls later… I fell in love with this short, long body, big headed boy.  I asked if I could name him and Jen said yes.  I did some thinking  about what would be the perfect name.  I thought about what many Veterans, including myself, feel like living with PTSD and it’s like we are all FUBAR (F*@#ked Up Beyond All Recognition) because no one can see our scars and that makes it so hard for people to see our pain. Then it all made sense… FUBAR was the perfect name. People can see him and with his help they can see me getting better. Then FUBAR will have a different meaning. 

Thank you to everyone that has followed my story and I hope you will follow my next chapter.  Jen and Donna thank you for all you do for your Veterans.  I am honored to call you my friends and most of all, my family.

Faith Harris