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Chloe: The Life of a Service Dog

Diary Entry Number 2

Well, it's been a bad week for me and Mommy. I went to two different vets, and they told Mommy that I have Hip Displasia. Mommy cried and cried. She says that's why I've been tiring easily and walking funny and sometimes limping. It figures! None of the dogs from my breeder have ever had HD. My doggie daddy and mommy were certified OFA excellent. Both vets said it was just a fluke. But what an awful fluke for Mommy. My breeder offered her another dog, but Mommy doesn't want to get another dog. She wants ME to keep working with her! Isn't that sweet. A nice man in town gave some suggestions to Mommy to help raise funds so I can have surgery and keep working. So, Mommy is working on that. It's hard for her 'cause she can't work, but I know she'll find away. I want to keep working for Mommy. Even now, and even though it hurts, I just can't let her go out without me. I mean, after all, I'm a working girl. So, I'm gonna keep everyone posted on how things are going. I know I won't be able to work for a while after surgery, but then I'll have more time writing all of you. And won't THAT be fun!

First diary entry

Well, this is my very first diary entry, so I'm going to tell you about myself.

My name is Chloe and I am a 20 month old service dog. I help Mommy a lot and love to work! I go everywhere with her and try to take good care of her. I wear a special harness and saddle bags to help Mommy with balance and support, and I carry all her "stuff" in my packs. If I didn't she would forget things like her wallet, or keys, or medicine. I also respond to her medical problems, and will help her find a place to sit down when she needs to rest. At night, I help her take her socks and slacks off so she can get ready for bed. And when we're going out, I go get her shoes for her. I also like to get the phone and remote control for her. It's really fun getting the remote when Daddy falls asleep watching TV and Mommy wants to change the channel.

I do love to work, but when we get home and Mommy takes my "clothes" off, I turn into a wild and crazy girl. I just love to play ball and tug of war. I follow Mommy everywhere inside and outside the house. Even if I'm playing with the other dogs, if Mommy is outside and has a problem I go help her. But I like to play and run with the other dogs. Mommy makes sure I get time to be "just a dog".

I had to go to the vet a couple of weeks ago for my shots and check up. He told Mommy that I was too overweight and needed better muscle tone. So she put me on a diet! And I think I'm starving to death! And I found out today, that we're going to start doing something called "road work" every day. I don't know about that, but Mommy's going to try to find a place to take me swimming. I think I'll like that 'cause I love water. When Mommy is filling the water troughs for the livestock here, I like to chase the water and get both Mommy and me all wet. I bite the water, but it doesn't seem to care.

We have cats here too. I like to chase them and play with them, but Mommy doesn't let me do that very much.

Well, that's all I can think of for my first diary entry. Hope you enjoy it!
Chloe