July Profile

Gail and Shania

Hi there, my name is  Shania I’m now a big girl and have been looking after my Mum since Feb 07.  I have had many experiences in this time both good and bad. Mum’s health has me on tips of my paws!   

There have been times in my past, when I was a baby of cause where Mum’s hypo episodes have scared me, Mum has actually thrown her arms around and hit me which made me very scared and I even started to hide when I felt Mum was getting low in sugar, I just didn’t know what to do it was my fault I felt a failure and Mum spoke to all my Aunties at PFD for advice I heard what was said and tried not to be so scared. It all started, because being so little and gentle I couldn’t wake Mum up, then she would shake and trembled and sometimes fall out of bed It was really scary, some times when I managed to wake Mum, and because she only has one leg the other one stays off of night, Mum would call out to my Nana and she would bring Mum a drink and something to eat and all would be fine. The next night when Mum wouldn’t  wake up I decided to go jump on Nana I gave her licks & kisses and got her to go and fix Mum and guess what I was smothered in kisses and hugs and I was told what a clever girl I was. Because I thought of this without being told or trained, so night time hypos don’t scare me any more because we all work as a team.

During the days I have missed a few  hypo’s but Mum sometimes just doesn’t listen to me she is always so busy,  At first my alerts were too subtle for my Mum but those Aunties of mind got Mum to teach me to sing. and dance and to be rough and tough. Did you know how much practice it takes to sing and dance went I know my Mum is low. Well I tell you it takes a lot. But now I can sing and dance and jump on Mum and sometimes I even have to give her a bite on the nose just to make sure she takes the hint.  Mum is getting better at reading my many ways of telling her she is low and all dogs know how hard it is to teach old humans new tricks.  So I have to be patient.

Mum is happier than she has ever been with me. Aunty Sharon even asked Mum to take some pictures of me alerting so she could make a DVD to show people how us Hypo Detectives Dog work I think Mum was chosen because Mum she has sooooo many hypo’s So I decided to place a few of them on my profile, Mum’s a good sport and said it was OK that she looks terrible because it’s for a good cause.

Changing the subject I would like everyone to know during all my Hypo Alerting Training I had to look after Mum on planes and trains do you what red tape it takes to get little me onto a train let alone on a plane it just so unfair for my Mum that I’m not a Labrador, Mum tells everyone that I‘ll be a Labrador when I grow up they seem to think I’m to little I can’t be a assistance dog. But Labradors never get stopped or asked for their qualifications. Life can be just so unjust. I have traveled on a big boat to Tassie.  I was allowed everywhere on board it was fun.

 I would love to tell you about my car trip through 3 states I seen so much but I was constantly worried that we would have to sleep in the car as we had at least one refusal every night  We couldn’t prebook our accommodation as we didn’t know how far we would be traveling that day. Other travelers without assistance dogs don’t have to prebook so why does my Mum.  It made me sad but very proud that my Mum would sleep in the car she would never leave me alone. We’re special because we always put each other first. This is what a PFD dog and handler has to do.

 I have had a few snapshots of my travels just to prove I’ve done what I’ve said.   Apart from traveling I have taken part in Mum’s love of fun social engagement as well as her many doctors and hospital visits.  I’m well known in most shopping centres by name. I have had attended functions and have even high fived the Mayor he was the funny one dressed in robes and an over the top necklace.

 I hope I haven’t bored you all too much. But I wanted you all to know that being a assistant dog means a lot to me I’m proud and happy to help my Mum  but being clever I also know what problems my Mum has with her Diabetes so she shouldn’t have to face any extra burdens  having me with her creates.

The whole world needs to know that the bond that Mum and I share can’t be broken by anyone not even beurocracy.  Woofs to all   Shania