Faith Harris and Honor paired August 2011.

So much has happened in their time together over this past year. I have learned many lesson from them, professionally and personally. As I write this, I am taking off my *Stiggy’s Dogs* hat as I share a personal journey of love, courage, and faith …..

Recapping the year; August 2011- Faith and Honor paired. September 2011- Faith finds our she has Cervical Cancer. November 2011- Operation. February 2012- Honor is nominated for Hero Dog Awards. August 2011- I year Anniversary.September 2012- another operation……and this is where I start this post….

I got a call from Faith, knowing instantly something was not right. Faith was quiet and direct as she was talking, her voice sounding more like a recorder than the friend I was used to talking to. Faith needed to go back through another operation, a full hysterectomy this time. Her Cancer was back. Silence hung in the air, as I felt my gut tighten. A rush of thoughts going thru my mind as I listened to her….. She is a warrior, a fighter like I have never known. The worries were more about the after effect, full blown menopause- and going through that without any medication help. Faith, not concerned with kicking cancers ass- was more concerned about how the flooded levels of hormones would effect her PTSD. I listened. I cried. I tried to comfort as any friend could, wishing desperately that there was something I could do to help. And if that part of the conversation had me in tears..the words that came out next, brought a gasp of air in and a whale sound out as I exhaled….

There is problem with Honor…….  Honor? I held my breathe waiting for a response.  No!!! Not Honor….. not now.

Honor, who  has been on medication for the past three months for Dog Incontinence (problem due to a bad spayed surgery)…. had a reaction to the medication. The same day Faith found out about her health, Honor has her in the Emergency Veterinarian care. The medication caused her heart to swell, almost suffocating her. Immediate action was taken and Honor was dismissed a day later. However, the Vet told Faith, that this meant no more medication for Honor. Translation, Honor was sent home as a pet……

This was the first time in over a year, I heard Faith voice crack. “I cant talk about it now Jen, I cant think about retiring her, not now……PLEASE Jen…..” her voice pleading, more for Honor than for my reaction “Please dont make me make that decision, not now. I need her….”

I spent the next days reading and talking to everyone to see if there was something we could do, other medications, surgery……this filled my desire to help.  Meanwhile Faith had to go through this without her Service Dog. Unlike last year, where Honor went to all her appointments, she was in the hospital before her surgery and waited in the recovery room to be the  first she saw when she woke. However, this time would be different. Having dog urine is not the most sanitized environment …

Faiths surgery was a success. Honor playing her role as much as she could. So when I got the call from Faith that they (her family) were going to take a mini vacation to come visit Stiggys, I squealed with delight!!! Faith needed some *family* time and also wanted to go through some *refresher* training for Honor. (Honor now recently on another medication that seems to be working!!!!)

Seeing them was a injection of goodness. A personal, positive boost I needed. BOTH Faith and Honor, looking healthy and happy. We spent the weekend talking, laughing and crying. Honor showing off her skills that she still had, going out to a restaurant for lunch, a crowded toy store….and passing her refresher PSA test. We are proud to announce that Honor holds her title of official PSD Service Dog once again!!!

The lessons of their journey close to my heart. Love, courage and a little Faith….