Service Dog, Canine Companion, A Ruff for Raff
Donation protected
UPDATE 8/2/2021
Big Changes. I received a call from the trainers a few weeks ago. " We need you to come here" They had been telling me for awhile that while Riptide was learning all of her tasks very well they did not feel she was the right dog for me. I had hoped it would work out because even though I hadn't met her in real life I had been keeping up with her progress and viewing her photos and videos and grown attached - sort of like online dating but without the romance :-) . They wanted me to see for myself, meet another dog (the poodle they originally had in mind for me, but anyone who knows I am not a poodle fan) and for us to get to know each other in real life.
And.... I MET A POODLE. You can laugh. She is so sweet. And brilliant. And she walks close by my side so I don't get injured. She knows most of the other necessary tasks as well.
I am bringing her home next week and training will continue via video. Also, she was trained in French rather than German, so now I can command dogs in multiple languages!!
UPDATE 5/3/2021 - A few donations were made directly to the trainer so I have lowered the amount I need to raise here. Please contact me if you would like to paypal or send a check to the trainer directly.
Riptide, I am told is coming along nicely. She has a bit of a goofy personality at times, so she will fit in fine with her new family.
I had another surgical procedure last Thursday, fingers crossed that it buys me some time with less pain. Paige, the trainer was living in Germany when she began training dogs so she trains them in German. Today I started learning German dog commands. I already knew how to say "Plotz" lol.
Thank you everyone for your private comments and support.
I'm in the process of acquiring a new companion, assistant and guardian of sorts. Those that know me are aware that since 2008 my life has been that of hospitalizations and surgeries - so many surgeries and just working to maintain my health. In order to continue to do this I need to add a service dog to my family. But I can't do this alone. The price for a trained dog is quite high and I am asking for help. It's really hard to ask. And I know that life is difficult for us all. I need a dog to alert me early to pulmonary issues and other infections which would prevent hospitalizations, some mobility issues which have historically caused injuries and to help me on stairs so that I don't fall flat on my face, breaking my nose requiring yet another surgery. She will also be trained to block people from coming too close to me due to my non existent immune system. Of course that may get in the way of romance but that is a risk I will have to take.
The amount of money I am raising will be used for training, vet bills during training (shots) and all equipment which I receive with the dog when she is ready to come home with me. All of this is 15 - 16,000. I will also need to travel to Phoenix during the 9 months or so the training will take.
Thank you so much for any help you are able to offer.
That's "Riptide" in the photo above. She is a Belgian Malnois, 9 months old and is busy learning to work with me.
Big Changes. I received a call from the trainers a few weeks ago. " We need you to come here" They had been telling me for awhile that while Riptide was learning all of her tasks very well they did not feel she was the right dog for me. I had hoped it would work out because even though I hadn't met her in real life I had been keeping up with her progress and viewing her photos and videos and grown attached - sort of like online dating but without the romance :-) . They wanted me to see for myself, meet another dog (the poodle they originally had in mind for me, but anyone who knows I am not a poodle fan) and for us to get to know each other in real life.
And.... I MET A POODLE. You can laugh. She is so sweet. And brilliant. And she walks close by my side so I don't get injured. She knows most of the other necessary tasks as well.
I am bringing her home next week and training will continue via video. Also, she was trained in French rather than German, so now I can command dogs in multiple languages!!
UPDATE 5/3/2021 - A few donations were made directly to the trainer so I have lowered the amount I need to raise here. Please contact me if you would like to paypal or send a check to the trainer directly.
Riptide, I am told is coming along nicely. She has a bit of a goofy personality at times, so she will fit in fine with her new family.
I had another surgical procedure last Thursday, fingers crossed that it buys me some time with less pain. Paige, the trainer was living in Germany when she began training dogs so she trains them in German. Today I started learning German dog commands. I already knew how to say "Plotz" lol.
Thank you everyone for your private comments and support.
I'm in the process of acquiring a new companion, assistant and guardian of sorts. Those that know me are aware that since 2008 my life has been that of hospitalizations and surgeries - so many surgeries and just working to maintain my health. In order to continue to do this I need to add a service dog to my family. But I can't do this alone. The price for a trained dog is quite high and I am asking for help. It's really hard to ask. And I know that life is difficult for us all. I need a dog to alert me early to pulmonary issues and other infections which would prevent hospitalizations, some mobility issues which have historically caused injuries and to help me on stairs so that I don't fall flat on my face, breaking my nose requiring yet another surgery. She will also be trained to block people from coming too close to me due to my non existent immune system. Of course that may get in the way of romance but that is a risk I will have to take.
The amount of money I am raising will be used for training, vet bills during training (shots) and all equipment which I receive with the dog when she is ready to come home with me. All of this is 15 - 16,000. I will also need to travel to Phoenix during the 9 months or so the training will take.
Thank you so much for any help you are able to offer.
That's "Riptide" in the photo above. She is a Belgian Malnois, 9 months old and is busy learning to work with me.
Organizer
Rafaella Gerson
Organizer
Skokie, IL