Mija the Service Dog's New Hips
Donation protected
For those of you that do not know Mija's Story , please take the time to read this in full allowing me to explain how important and special she is to me, Bubba.
I am a 13-year career firefighter and was diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) about 2 years ago, and I qualified for a PTSD Service Dog about a year ago.
This is where Mija (Spanish for, "My Daughter") came into my life, and completely changed it for the best.
I went from being a complete recluse, miserable, and always angry to someone that goes out on dates with my wife again. I enjoy having "Boy Days" with my 6 year old son, going hiking in the woods, indoor rock climbing and taking him places like the zoo, or to the museum.
This is because of my little girl, Mija. Since I picked her out from the Rescue Shelter, she has been literally attached at my hip with her little pink vest on. She knows when it is time to go to work, and absolutely loves it. I have a hard time putting her vest on because her entire body wiggles from her wagging at Mach 2.
I have trained Mija with the assistance of my new family members at the D.A.W.G. Foundation, that when she senses my anxiety getting high, she stands on my right foot. When she does this, I am allowed a certain time period to bend down to pet and love on her, which in turn grounds me and settles me down. If I have not responded in what Mija feels is a timely manner, then she is trained to literally pull me to where she feels is a safer and quieter spot for me to settle down. She has been trained to wake me from my nightmares and remember where and when it is time for me to take my medicines. She remembers the way out of places, in the event I freeze up and give her the command to, "get me out of here". Mija is also capable of doing crowd control from me in crowded situations, non-aggressively, she just ensures that I have my space.
When the day of work is complete and her vest comes off, she becomes a normal dog at home with my other 2 dogs. She runs, plays, and digs hole with the best of them. Though she might be off duty, she always keeps an eye on me.
Two days ago, my amazing best friend began crying everytime she moved. Unsure of what was going on, I spent the night with her on the floor just trying to keep her comfortable. First thing yesterday morning I had her at the vet's office to get checked out.
The vet had to sedate her in order to get the X-Rays needed because Mija was in such pain. Once the X-Rays were read, I was notified that Mija had severe Hip Dysplasia. Her hips were so bad that she would need to have both hips completely replaced.
My heart sank as tears poured from my eyes, because the cost of having both hips replaced would cost about $12,000.00. Knowing my personal finanical situation, there is no way I would be able to pay for these surgeries.
Mija has become my world, my own personal protection from the demons that haunt me every minute of everday. She has allowed me to become as normal as I once was, for my family and friends. I don't think I can put into words what she means to me, the bond we have with each other. I know everything about her and she can read me better than my own wife. I love Mija with all of my heart and I know without a doubt that she feels the same about me.
Please help me raise the money needed to replace Mija's hips, so that she may continue her amazing life as my PTSD Service Dog, and my best friend. The last thing in the world I want to have to do is to put her down because I am unable to provide her with what she needs, after her always being able to provide me with what I need. She has a long great life ahead of her, she is only 14 months old.
Any help will be amazing and it will not go in vein. Please go to www.dawgfoundation.com , then to Mija's Blog. The blog is written by me and in my own words. I will keep the blog updated on Mija's progress. Also if you have Facebook, she has her own page, "Mija The PTSD Service Dog". Please like it and follow her, I am always putting up pictures and posts "from" Mija.
Thank you all and God Bless You all!
Bubba Millhouse, Mija & Our Family
I am a 13-year career firefighter and was diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) about 2 years ago, and I qualified for a PTSD Service Dog about a year ago.
This is where Mija (Spanish for, "My Daughter") came into my life, and completely changed it for the best.
I went from being a complete recluse, miserable, and always angry to someone that goes out on dates with my wife again. I enjoy having "Boy Days" with my 6 year old son, going hiking in the woods, indoor rock climbing and taking him places like the zoo, or to the museum.
This is because of my little girl, Mija. Since I picked her out from the Rescue Shelter, she has been literally attached at my hip with her little pink vest on. She knows when it is time to go to work, and absolutely loves it. I have a hard time putting her vest on because her entire body wiggles from her wagging at Mach 2.
I have trained Mija with the assistance of my new family members at the D.A.W.G. Foundation, that when she senses my anxiety getting high, she stands on my right foot. When she does this, I am allowed a certain time period to bend down to pet and love on her, which in turn grounds me and settles me down. If I have not responded in what Mija feels is a timely manner, then she is trained to literally pull me to where she feels is a safer and quieter spot for me to settle down. She has been trained to wake me from my nightmares and remember where and when it is time for me to take my medicines. She remembers the way out of places, in the event I freeze up and give her the command to, "get me out of here". Mija is also capable of doing crowd control from me in crowded situations, non-aggressively, she just ensures that I have my space.
When the day of work is complete and her vest comes off, she becomes a normal dog at home with my other 2 dogs. She runs, plays, and digs hole with the best of them. Though she might be off duty, she always keeps an eye on me.
Two days ago, my amazing best friend began crying everytime she moved. Unsure of what was going on, I spent the night with her on the floor just trying to keep her comfortable. First thing yesterday morning I had her at the vet's office to get checked out.
The vet had to sedate her in order to get the X-Rays needed because Mija was in such pain. Once the X-Rays were read, I was notified that Mija had severe Hip Dysplasia. Her hips were so bad that she would need to have both hips completely replaced.
My heart sank as tears poured from my eyes, because the cost of having both hips replaced would cost about $12,000.00. Knowing my personal finanical situation, there is no way I would be able to pay for these surgeries.
Mija has become my world, my own personal protection from the demons that haunt me every minute of everday. She has allowed me to become as normal as I once was, for my family and friends. I don't think I can put into words what she means to me, the bond we have with each other. I know everything about her and she can read me better than my own wife. I love Mija with all of my heart and I know without a doubt that she feels the same about me.
Please help me raise the money needed to replace Mija's hips, so that she may continue her amazing life as my PTSD Service Dog, and my best friend. The last thing in the world I want to have to do is to put her down because I am unable to provide her with what she needs, after her always being able to provide me with what I need. She has a long great life ahead of her, she is only 14 months old.
Any help will be amazing and it will not go in vein. Please go to www.dawgfoundation.com , then to Mija's Blog. The blog is written by me and in my own words. I will keep the blog updated on Mija's progress. Also if you have Facebook, she has her own page, "Mija The PTSD Service Dog". Please like it and follow her, I am always putting up pictures and posts "from" Mija.
Thank you all and God Bless You all!
Bubba Millhouse, Mija & Our Family
Organizer
Joseph Millhouse
Organizer
Spring, TX
