I find weird things bother me with having a Service Dog, the biggest thing is that people misunderstand and tend to think that im "such a terrible case" Dont get me wrong, at times i am. However having a Service Dog has made life easier and a bit more "normal" for me. He provides that buffer between me and the world that helps me function better. I still have bad PTSD and fibro days, dont get me wrong, but he makes them easier to cope. Knowing that i have help and support from him when i need it is invaluable and i would have never guessed the difference it makes.
Yes, the training, questions and looks can be tiring at times but its all worth it for me when it comes to the comfort and assistance he gives.
One of the biggest challenges for him lately is that we are trying to figure out how he can try and comfort me during the bad times while im walking. A few days ago i needed to get some air as i was really upset and depressed, usually a time when i sit with Bones and he "works his magic" until im able to breathe again but this time i was up moving around and we were outside. The outside part isnt an issue, but it was me being up. He kept jumping up at me whining trying to figure out how to work the situation. He knew what he wanted and needed to do but i was in his way of it trying to cope on my own. When we reached the house after i had gathered myself some i let Bones take over and he was content in that. But this is an issue ive got to figure out how to find a way to let him take care of me even when im on the move.
The walk we were on was one of his "smell fests" as i like to call it. Its those times each day that i let him smell and explore his surroundings, i feel its important to do that with him, he needs to enjoy life, he deserves to but i took that away from him that time without meaning to, instead he was too concerned with my wellbeing to care what the grass, flowers and trees smelled like.
im going to keep working this scenario in my mind and see what i can come up with as a solution...and ill keep you posted if i come up with anything.
