We finally have some news.
A while ago, we started on this journey to try and bring a Service Dog into Bradley’s life. I did a lot of research, looking into how dogs help kids to become more vocal and then more verbal. That often their first words will come pouring out towards the dog. With all of his balance issues, we were hoping to bring a buddy into his life that would be within reach to help him navigate stairs and transitions and do that with some form of independence…read that as, not relying on mom or dad or sisters to go from point A to point B, and C and on and on.
We wanted to give Bradley a buddy that would help create calm. A Service dog that can always be with Bradley anywhere: at the doctor’s office, or the hospital, or after a procedure or surgery to help with the pain and the fear. That presence that is by his side before he is truly awake and providing that extra comfort on top of mom or dad. A dog that won’t mind the beeping machines, the loud nebulizers and all the tubes and equipment that we have to use to vent Bradley and give him meds and formula or other fluids.
We started fundraising, and we were extremely Blessed when we raised $5000, our half of the fee for a dog; in fact, we managed $6700 of the total $10,000 needed for the dog. If you want to feel Blessed, have a moment like this in your life. Knowing that some people you know, but mostly people you don’t believe that your son is something extraordinary and want to help you do something that will change his life – humbling is a mild way to put it for sure.
From there, things seemed to stall. We were never told where he was on the list, and that was where we struggled. We were okay with patience, with understanding the way Nature likes to choose her own time and place, but we just had nothing to tell our donors, our friends, and our families. No one said it, but in my head, I could hear the doubt from so many kind people who must have been wondering. I mean what proof did they have that we didn’t take all that money and run off to Hawaii or something. Only our word, and well…the lack of pictures on Facebook helped too I’m sure.
July, after the final money was in, a dear friend set up a Vendor Fair for Bradley. We were supposed to be there, but our daughters were there in our place. We were at Children’s Hospital in San Diego, because Bradley had had his first seizure. We still have most of the money from that Vendor Fair quietly waiting for the moment to purchase a crate for the puppy and maybe a little towards health insurance. We have saved carefully to honor everyone that came to help.
But now we have a whole other need for a Service Dog for Bradley. Now we need to help this puppy become so in tune with Bradley that when he’s anxious and aggravated the pup can divert his tendency to hit his head or act out…but also, the pup will alert when behavior change indicates something more sinister like another seizure. Sadly, Bradley’s first seizure was not his last, and he has them periodically. Because he lacks a lot of muscle tone in his tongue this is a scary aspect of his seizures as his tongue falling back prevents the shallow breathing that so many people experience during a seizure. Immediate response is imperative, another set of eyes attached to such an amazing nose that can detect so much more than you or I, that is a gift.
So though I buried the news…here is the update:
On September 8, 2015 NorthStar Dog Nahly delivered nine puppies. One puppy was failure to thrive (frightening words for a family whose baby was failure to thrive and needed lifesaving surgery) but eight puppies are doing very well now. On September 11th, we were sent an e-mail letting us know that Bradley’s puppy would be chosen from one of the eight puppies that are being socialized now.
As of today, we have learned that Bradley’s Buddy will be joining our family on November 16, 2015. We are on opposite coasts from the Breeder, so our puppy will come directly into our home to start bonding with Bradley immediately instead of spending time in another puppy raising family and slowly integrating with us. Bradley is not afraid of dogs, so the sooner he starts bonding with his new buddy the better. Every week the pup and I (later on Bradley) will spend time with the Trainer chosen to train this puppy (who will only be about four months old upon arrival) to be the best he or she can be. As a good students; between lessons, mom and dad will spend as much time as necessary to help round out the training the pup is learning in order to get the dog prepped for Certification. After two and a half years of waiting and wondering…now it will all happen very fast.
I know that there is a great deal of work ahead, but I am not afraid of work: messing up something that can be life changing for Bradley; that makes me nervous. But I will have support from a great trainer; and I am a great student with every reason in the world to make this as amazing for Bradley as I possibly can. Definitely nervous and excited all in one breath!
So to all of you that made this possible for Bradley, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! I ask you to check back as we learn more about the pup and maybe get pictures once he or she is chosen. And definitely check back in November, because it will be my honor to present you with a picture of Bradley with his new Buddy! Because of you, we are this close to something that will make Bradley’s life better…and bring smiles and squeals of joy for this little boy and two sweet big sisters too!
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