A few months ago I made a decision that was met with a lot of judgement. I bought a puppy. I was well aware of the work I would have to put in, that it would be hard to do on my own, physically demanding, and frustrating to get through training. The people in my life weren’t quite sure I understood the responsibility. When I told 90% of people about this choice, it was met with “I’m not sure you should take that on” and “that seems like a big responsibility with everyone else you have to deal with”. But I did it anyways. And if you saw Winston and I together you would agree it was the best decision I could have made.
A wrote a note for a blog post I meant to write my first week after getting him, but MS and dog parenting and life….
“I am confident I was so right with my decision. Little Winston is feisty, and A LOT of work. Puppies are exhausting and constantly need something from you. Being “on” all day every day for a week has taken a toll on my body. I’m in more pain and I had 3 migraines in 3 days. But with those negatives has come a lot more positives. He has put me on a schedule. Gotten me out of bed at a normal time and into bed at a decent hour. He thrives off of a routine, so I need to start each day organized with what he needs and when he will need it. He brings me so much joy my heart can hardly stand it. Instead of listening to everyone I reminded myself that I know what choices are best for me and my health, and I don’t care what anyone else thinks”
I’ve had Winston now for 6 months and everyday I am reminded how lucky I am to have him.He is so smart. He knows when I am not feeling well and need to rest, and he’s right there with me. He also knows when I am just being lazy, and he keeps me moving when I need it. Getting me on a schedule and into a routine helped me through a difficult time, and I’m back to working and living a more normal life than I was before I got him. He continues to give me a reason outside of myself to get out of bed each morning and push through the hard MS days. Instead of focusing on all of my medical needs and appointments, I have another living thing I need to take care of, and that has given me a much needed break from being a full time patient. He is my best friend and keeps me company when I am too fatigued to leave the house for an entire weekend, but because I need to take him outside and feed him, and keep him busy, I am able to keep distracted and in a better space mentally when my body is physically causing me challenges. He passed his obedience training quickly and is on his way to pass his public access test after his first training session. That means that within a few weeks he will be my service dog.
I got Winston with the plan to train him to be a service dog. MS is made worse with stress. I knew from growing up with a dog that they make stressful situations so much better. Also, like a lot of people, I suffer from general anxiety. Along with anxiety, I have an adjustment disorder after experiencing trauma. And with a diagnosis of MS you are much more likely to experience clinical depression, as you are with many other neuroinflamatory diseases. Having Winston become my service dog can only improve my quality of life now and In whatever challenges I may I face in the years to come with my diagnosis.
When I explain that my adorable, teddy bear-like puppy is going to be my service animal people assume he cant be a real service animal or he’ll be the same thing as an ESA. While he is an emotional support animal naturally, he is going through full service dog training, which emotional support animals do not do. Winston will need to prove he can navigate public areas with confidence and discipline. He will need to learn tasks, like watching my back, applying deep pressure by laying on my chest, and jumping up on my legs when I’m anxious in public. He will also go through training to be a therapy animal, and will give comfort and love to others, not just me. So far he is learning so quickly and is a natural. I’m so proud of him! Follow along with Winston’s life and training on his instagram- winston_the_sheepiedood
