Pictures from home

Felix is doing excellent as a service dog. He is well loved by Doug, his wife and their daughter Christina. Here are some pictures they sent.

More un-official news

A mailing went out this month to PAWS donors. What do you know? It's our boy. So proud!

Still waiting for the word and our baby book will be in the mail. YAY Felix. Good Boy!!!

Christina got a bad feeling every time an ambulance raced by. The blazing sirens always faded, but the worry something had happened to her dad, Doug, remained. Doug’s mobility was strictly limited due to a spinal cord injury and subsequent stroke. He struggled with tasks that used to
be easy. That he was home alone during the day fueled Christina’s fears – would the next ambulance she saw be speeding to her dad’s rescue? The rest of Doug’s family shared her concern. They all knew Doug was vulnerable – both physically and emotionally.
Then, last October, Doug met Felix.
Felix – an attentive, friendly black lab – is the Service Dog Doug applied for and received from Paws With A Cause. Before placing Felix, PAWS® custom trained him to perform tasks which help meet Doug’s needs.
“Felix picks up all the stuff I drop – keys, socks, cane, wallet, papers. The remote! He opens and closes doors, and will bring me the phone in an emergency. Having Felix gives me confidence. I’m not afraid to go to the store by myself anymore because I know Felix can pick up
anything I might drop.”
But Felix hasn’t just made Doug’s life easier – he’s changed life for the whole family. They have a renewed sense of security and peace of mind knowing if Doug is in trouble, Felix is there to help. And they’re especially grateful for the things Felix brings Doug that are harder to measure:
“No doubt, Felix has given me the freedom and independence I forgot I could have and the pleasure life can offer. I’ll always remember the days of feeling sorry for myself and not wanting to get out of bed. Felix instinctively knows and comforts me when I’m not feeling well. He has a way of making even the bad days good. Felix is my best friend, and I cannot thank everyone at PAWS enough for such a precious gift.”

Great news!!!

PAWS HQ Writes: Received this note from a client this week and had to share:

Yesterday was our 2nd BIG day. First is when Felix came in to my life and second (yesterday) is when his certification was filmed. My boy did good and made me very proud. He is such a smart and great dog, my shadow, my companion. He has changed my life both mentally and physically. What I used to struggle with is in the past because Feli...x is always there to help me. He is always with me and I love the fact that we are best friends. I can't thank you, PAWS, breeders and trainers enough for this wonderful gift of freedom and independence. A special thanks to the Raiser for doing a fantastic job raising him and preparing him for the big day when he graced my doorstep. He was so prepared to help me from the first day and gets so excited when he does his task. Thank you Raiser for the wonderful job you did for Felix and me. I don't know if people fully understand what these precious gifts do for us unless you really need them. Again, new found freedom and independence is beyond words. Our Field Trainer is fantastic and very talented. She did a tremendous job training me to work effectively with Felix. It is obvious she loves her job and the dogs she works with. Please give her a GOLD star!

News on my litter

We are all doing well. I heard today that Fergus has been placed as a Service Dog in NH. The only girl Faith has been placed as a Service Dog in the SE MI area. Yay for us!

There will be no news from me until my partner and I are certified in the new year. Paws crossed I do well.

How could I give you up?

This is why!

My new working boy cape. Mom is very proud!

PAWS also got a note that says it all. I don't know if it's from Felix's family, but I'm hoping his family feels the same way. An email from a client with a recent Service Dog placement:

I am simply amazed at the number of commands he knows! He has lifted my spirits tremendously and I feel better overall knowing how we interact and how we feel about each other already, regardless of what my future holds. He is a Godsend and I am so blessed to have him and a relationship with PAWS. When he is certified he will go everywhere with me to assist me with those challenges I can't handle anymore. I thought I knew how people felt about their Service Dogs, but I didn't. I now have a much better understanding of the bond that is created in a very short period of time. He is absolutely a fantastic and loving dog and again I am so lucky and blessed to have him. I can't thank everyone at PAWS enough for making my life fuller and helping me achieve the independence we always spoke of. The trainers did a wonderful job with him!

That is how I could give you up. Someone loves you more than I ever could.

Great news

Felix is being placed as a Service Dog and is off to his client in NC today! Woo Hoo!

The next step the client and the dog learn to work together. It usually takes 6-8 months of in home training in the client's own community. Then the team takes a test and they are officially certified. Let's hope Felix is a good fit for the client.

In the home stretch!

From my teachers:

Felix is filmed and ready to go. He has a nice match and will be very appreciated.

This means I am almost ready to go home with my new person. They match our personalities. Then they tape me doing my job and everyone decides if I am ready to go home. I hope my new partner likes a busy boy cuz I like to be active. I can be a great help with all that energy.

Stay tuned for more updates

Felix- Future Service Dog