I would like to start off by saying that is is not the Stiggy’s Dogs motto, we pair Psychiatric Service Dogs. However, knowing that some of our dogs may not pass all credentials, we will then pair them as Therapy or Companion Animals. I receive numerous emails from people looking for Service Dogs for other needs, (Autistic Child,  someone not a Veteran,etc) Most of their personal stores are gut-wrenching, leaving me in tears. I wish I had the time and means to accommodate all these requests. The need for Service Dogs and their benefits  are becoming  increasingly sought out.

Here is an example of one of those emails. Here is also a example of love, trust, and faith.

On December 16th I received an email from a woman named Pam, here are parts of that original email:  “I would like some information on your program.  My dad, who resides in Warren, MI, is a WWII veteran.  We have been looking for a dog for him for the past four months….. The last dog they owned died in October 2010.  Gaby was adopted from the Auburn Hills Humane Society on September 11, 2001.  My dad is older and used to walk with “Gaby” everyday close to a mile.  Since, she died Dad has had a knee replaced and misses both Gaby and the walking.  Unfortunately, he has aged a little since Gaby died and is in desperate need to find a dog so they can both enjoy the outdoors and each other’s companionship…..I apologize for rambling on….but finding a pet would be the best Christmas present for my parents.  Even just knowing that one would be available to them would be awesome….”

She had me at *My Dad*.  At that time, personally in my life, I was also dealing with an aging Father. Her words reached right out to me, I wanted to help her help her Dad as much as I wanted to help my own. I could do this, I could add one more thing on my plate right now. This is for me, my present to myself……

And so the *hunt* was on. How hard could it be to find a 3-5 yr old, medium sized, well mannered dog? The Shelters and Rescues are full of them. WRONG! As you can see, the first email started December 16th…..we paired them Feb 1st. As time grew on, other Stiggy’s Dogs work needed to be done , and other personal priorities, kept finding them a dog at a distance. All the while Pam and I were emailing weekly. Here was a woman, who lived an hour away and went to take her parents to Dr. appointments, visiting them on weekends,  bringing them Chicken Soup when they were sick, going through a move of her own, all while battling Chemo-therapy and Cancer! And she sent me emails telling me I was Wonderful, ending them all with *Smiles and Blessing* …..The need to find them a dog became increasingly stressful. I wanted to help them, but we needed to find the perfect dog for their lifestyle, health, needs,etc.

A Woman, who I will call *Angel* was on the look out for us for this dog. Angel knew what we were looking for and had the time to frequent many Shelters to help us find them a dog. Once, we thought we found the perfect dog  that would have made a great New Years Eve present, but she was Heart-worm positive, and wasn’t available for adoption for three months. That didn’t stop me…… or, Pam, Edward and Deloris for keeping the faith. So when Angel called to tell me she found the perfect girl…..I literally drove right there.

Introducing Lola! The pperfect dog that was worth the wait. Things happen for a reason, and she was meant for this Veteran. And Lola is his dog!!! The minute Edwards walked into the house to meet Lola, she ran to him from the other room. Not knowing who was walking in, she gave a warning *woof* as she went full speed ahead….only to slide half way across the kitchen floor to greet her new Companion. Her tail was rotating like a Helicopter propeller, I thought they both were gonna take off! Just like Up (Disney Movie).

Enough said!! My heart has swelled many times throughout meeting them, seeing Lola and both Delores and Edward together- like they always have been. Lola not concerned with Delores’s wheelchair, she relaxed, exhaled and fell asleep within a 1/2 hour of entering a new home (after leaving the Michigan Humane Society). Who donated Lola to our organization!!! So many people to Thank for such a wonderful ending!

I called yesterday to check in on them, and Deloris answered. “Edward is at the store right now….Lola is laying by the door. That’s her spot when he leaves. Then she does this routine- she goes to every room-except my bedroom- and sniffs for him. She even goes downstairs and back up to look out the window. When she realizes he is not here, she lays back down again at her spot.  After a while she realizes he isn’t home yet, then she starts the same routine!! “ Enough said! Mission accomplished!

Tears filled my eyes, happy, thankful, wonderful tears…..