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After a serious accident, I not only broke my body, but it led to serious health problems, phobias, and unbelievable pain.
Pain can be controlled to an extent by medication, but losing my independence was the hardest for me.
I didn't go looking for a pup as my old dog of 20 that passed away broke my heart and I vowed I'd never get myself in that situation again.
Three years later, I still refused, but did agree to train a pup for a young couple with 2 kids.
The pup happened to be an American Pit bull Terrier and the longer I had her at my place, the harder it was trying not to bond with her. The truth was, I WAS bonded to her and knowing I had to give her back once time was up was killing me.
For years I hadn't been able to leave my apartment alone or talk to strangers. With the pup I was doing both and enjoying it as much as her.
We tried a few things to see if she could help me out in and out of the house. She was a quick and excited learner.
The couple decided their hands were full with work and kids and asked if I'd like to keep her since I had worked with her so long and hard. It was the happiest day of my life.
I didn't realize I was teaching Shasta how to become my service dog and it all felt like fun to her.
I did notice she had a sixth sense that can't be taught. She was constant with my friend wanting to lick a portion of her face. Needless to say, I was getting frustrated continually pulling her away.
Two months later, my friends doctor and specialist found cancer in the same place as Shasta kept going to.
Now that she is a 'restricted', but certified service dog for me, she knows me better than I know myself. She helps me physically, but is also an Alert and Response dog. She knows before I even do if I'm going to go into an attack and alerts me.
If I wasn't with her and she saw me in an attack she would quickly come and bring me out of it.
If I'm sleeping and it's time for my medication, she will gently rub her snout on me to wake me. Once I take them, she'll go back to sleep.
She's given me back my life and rather than being a recluse, she runs beside as a ride my bike. She pulls my groceries home by wagon or sled.
She watches as I feed the squirrels and when camping doesn't chase the racoons when I forgot her dog food out.
She's adopted a kitten that I rescued and the two will play for hours on end.
Is she a one of a kind? To me she is, but no. Many such dogs as the bullies have been in Search and Rescue, therapy dogs and even Helen Keller had a Pit bull as her companion dog. Many have received metals for their bravery and some of given their lives for their heroic acts.
Yes, Ontario tried to ban her and all the Pit bull breeds, but now they are trying to faze them out slowly for the registered ones...or murdering innocent ones just by someones say so. We (the owners and our dogs) are guilty and not allowed a voice of innocense in our defense.
Shasta gave me back life and I will fight for her's and all dogs like her that the BSL is trying to destroy. You see, Shasta has also given me a cause.