Re-emerging from Boot Camp

Graduation Day, October 30, 2008

4 Paws For Ability, Inc., Xenia, OH

Today we officially passed our "Public Access Test" and were legally certified to go with Stitch into all public places under ADA laws!

Today, Christopher also had his first (and, unfortunately, MAJOR) meltdown during training. I am so delighted to report that Stitch was not a bit skittish and, in fact, sought Christopher to nuzzle, lick and comfort him. Stitch is an amazing dog. He is a black lab/mastiff mix who was rescued from the pound. He is SO smart and lovable! Both the Lead Trainer at 4 Paws AND the vet who has cared for Stitch said they would have adopted Stitch had our placement failed! I told them, AH, NO WAY! ;-)

Tomorrow we will head home to Indiana. We are exhausted. Christopher awoke with a fever and bleeding ear last Sunday morning and is on ear drops and antibiotics. I started out with what I thought was allergies and am now fighting a probable sinus infection and/or bronchitis. To say this has been an easy trip would be a blatant LIE. That said, it has been the culmination of a dream that has been fulfilled beyond my wildest hopes and dreams. Stitch is the PERFECT dog for us. I can't wait for you all to meet him!!!

Once home, we begin the months-long intensive training to cement and perfect the training we've gotten while here. We still need your love and prayers as we learn to function as a service-dog-family, but we're off to a great start!

Thank you for your love and support on this journey!

Love, Claudia

Who Are You?

Who are you? Do you think about it? How would you answer that question? No, not what is your job. No, not what kind of education do you have. No, not whose (mother/father/sister/brother/daughter/son/girlfriend/boyfriend) you are. No, not what you look like. No, not what your hobbies are. Getting any answers yet? Let's go further.... No, not what political party/sorority/fraternity/club you belong to. No, not what you wear. No, not which socio-economic class you fall into, nor which one you aspire to. No, not where you went on vacation or are planning on going. Not what car you drive. Not tall, short, fat, thin, "athletic" or a klutz. Are you getting any closer to an answer?

It's funny. I answered that question using all of those categories at one time or another. God has a way of stripping all that away, though. He wants to know WHO you YOU ARE. What if you lost your career, your family, your vacations, your car.....who would YOU be. I hope that you know that you would still be someone whom God is "especially fond" of. May you find the blessing of seeing beyond the "stuff" to see the "person" God created you to be.

Love, Claudia