Do Fudge and Vern Have What it Takes to be Service Dogs?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Last week, the dogs and I were on a long walk.  Usually, I am halfway from my car when I realize I forgot my phone and anything else I might need in case of an emergency. The older I get the harder it is to remember things and frankly, Fudge and Vern are lucky I remember to take both of them out of the car before we start walking. 

Hey, did you see where she went?

Seriously, Do you think she is coming back for us??

Now where did Fudge go?

On this particular day, we were a good distance from the car and I could tell by the way I was feeling that my blood sugar was low. Like a dummy, I had not eaten before this walk.  The last time it happened, I vowed never to forget a snack on future walks, but unfortunately, I forgot my vow.  As we continued to walk, I felt worse and worse and just wanted to get back to the car.  I unzipped my coat and continued to plod ahead. 

 

Now, most of you know that I tease all the time that Vern is my under thinker and no one has ever accused him of being the most insightful or perceptive dog at our house.  Usually when someone talks about the amazing tricks or feats their dog can do, I think to myself that Vern still runs into the patio screen door, eats mud, and thinks sticker bushes are a place to recline.

Other than those tricks and knowing how to get a treat in the middle of the night, Vern doesn’t have much else to show on his resume. On top of that, most of the time on a walk he is hell bent on pulling me to my knees.  I honestly think somewhere in his lineage is Bernese Mountain Dog and I should just save on gas and let him pull me in a cart to the park each day.  Just thinking about Vern as a service dog makes me laugh because anyone expecting him to guide them in traffic or around obstacles had better be prepared to squeeze into tight places and get used to his motto, “I might not fit, but I am going to give it a shot”.

Vern really does not have a clue as to his large size or that some things are not meant to be plowed through and most of my evergreen trees can back me up on that statement.  God help anyone on the other end of the leash when he decides to find a spot to go #2, because his ritual consists of bulldozing his way into the remotest part of the woods, preferably through briar bushes, and trying to locate a spot where the holder of the leash has to balance precariously or risk falling down a hill. For these reasons and many, many more, I have never thought of Vern as a good candidate for a service dog.  So, what happened next really shocked me and I saw a whole new side of Vern.  As I began to sweat and feel worse, Vern started walking right beside me and continued to glance up at me continually while I was walking.  His body was almost leaning against mine and he never once left my side.  I have to tell you that his reaction scared me almost more than the low blood sugar feeling because I knew Vern sensed something was wrong and I feared he saw an angel on my shoulder or something. 

Despite being a bit unnerved by Vern’s unusual behavior, I was also reassured by his nearness and concern, especially since Fudge’s only concern seemed to be which way the wind was blowing and if I could walk faster when she caught the scent of something good. My normally concerned, attentive, sweet Doodle is completely different in the house and if you would have asked me which dog would have been the first one to sense something wrong, indoors or outdoors, I would have answered Fudge.  I would have also added Vern wouldn’t have noticed anything unless I actually fell directly on top of him and even then he might not put it all together.  Well, I certainly underestimated Vern’s sensitivity and he truly surprised me that day.  Fudge, on the other hand, reminded me of John when he is watching one of his shows or reading his Kindle.  In other words, if I want help from Fudge, I had better make sure my problem happens indoors and if I want help from John, I need to hope he is not reading, watching TV, or on the computer when I go down.

 

Now that I think about it, I might just be better off just getting a Life Alert system or seeing if my neighbors would be willing to keep a walkie talkie or baby monitor in their home in case I need help.

I will have to be clear that any heavy breathing they hear coming from our bedroom followed by a series of grunts, slaps, a male voice saying, “is it my birthday?” and a scream of “John, I can’t take much more,” is just me trying to get John to stop snoring and roll over.  It will probably be in everyone’s best interest to come up with an emergency code red phrase, since “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up,” is way overused and too easily ignored.  I am leaning towards a series of Johns that escalate in pitch until near hysteria with no response from anyone named John.  I can just see our neighbors bursting into our bedroom one night and finding me out cold in our bed and John next to me reading his Kindle.  John, Laurie alerted us that she has been in distress for quite some time. Why aren’t you helping her? Hi Rhonda, can you hold on please, while I finish this chapter!

 

Not counting my concerned family, I think with two Doodles, I have all the help I need. Fudge can be on duty in the house since she already alerts every time I sneeze and Vern can be my outside alerter.  I think this system has me covered and eliminates my worry that if I go down in the park and Fudge is in charge, I will wake up in a part of the woods I don’t recognize, miles from my car, because a certain chocolate Doodle was following a scent and pulling me along for the ride. Fudge is the best choice inside because Vern is what you might call a premature exclaimer and a little too quick to bark at nothing at all. Meanwhile, I have loaded my dog-walking bag with treats for me if this happens again.  Now, I just have to remember to bring it on our walks or teach Fudge and Vern to find it as part of their new caretaking duties.  Do I think Fudge and Vern have what it takes to be service dogs? The answer would be no, but I do think having them with me goes a long way for peace of mind and I believe both of them would rise to the occasion if I ever needed them, just like Vern did the other day.

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Nancy and Doris!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Hooray for Vern moving to alert-dog-outdoors status.  And, congrats to Fudgie for moving to alert-dog-indoors status. There oughta be special medals for that.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Just reading this and all I can say is "WAY TO GO, VERN!!"  He really is my hero!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Bonnie, Vern can't operate the gate latches yet. He just finds a tiny hole in the deer fencing and pushes his way through to the other side. Luckily, Fudge never follows. The thought of Dudley Houdini makes me smile :)

Christine, OMD...I forgot all about that belt :) I think it is time for a home for me :) Thank you for reminding me. I think I put it in my cart in Amazon, but I might run over to Petco. Thank you!

Ricki, LOL....I think she might be more of a licker. I am now addicted to the lip balm called EOS. They look like little eggs up at the checkout stands at Target. As soon as I put it on my lips, Vern shows up, because he loves the smell of it. Try that for Tara :) I have so many of those EOS eggs all over the house and guess what I lose every day.

Cathy K, Thank you for your comment about my blogs. I love to hear they make someone laugh. LOL about the bone and poo. So far, no poo has come my way.

Stella, What a lovely story about your Hartley. Dogs are just so intuitive and can really surprise us. Thank you for sharing!

Julie, I love my mini van and will never own anything else. It is so versatile and I always want to be the driver and it fits more people :) Thank you!

Sheila, Your comments always make me laugh. You are crazy!! I am still a jenius. I don't care what anyone says. LOL Nope, Fudge drove and Vern rode shotgun :) Thank you!

Thanks, Bonnie!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Sheila, I absolutely hope Vern drove home! Scary. Love your post. Vern is definitely a jenius. It's the smart ones that know how to just "act" dumb. ;o)

[Sheila & Finnley]

P.S. Loved the pictures of Vern and Fudge !

[Sheila & Finnley]

Vern !!! You are da dog... dawg!

 

 

Oh Laurie, you are so lucky,

#1, that you didn't pass out, and

#2, that Vern got to show you what he is really made of.

You can officially turn over your "jenius" badge now, and give it to Vern.

If he could have talked, he probably would have told you it wasn't very wise to even start out on the walk.

I'm just glad that you got back safely.

Did Vern have to drive home ?

[Bonnie and Kona]

Stella, I'm in love with Hartley! He reminds me of my Kona. Just a love boy!

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

That's awesome! So proud of Vern but I can imagine how you felt when he walked by your side. If milo did that I'd be thinking he knows something that I don't know and would surely think I was about to die.

Must also add that I love the mini van. I drive one too and have often wondered what I'll get once the kids give up soccer and carpools. I glance over my shoulder to see two comfortable dogs and know that I'll probably always drive a mini van. Ya just never know when both kids will be with you and two dogs too. Nothing provides such space. Haha!

[Stella]

When my parents were here last year they took the dogs for a walk one day when I was at work.  My Dad took Chase because although he is smaller, he is more of a handful!  My Mum took my big guy, Hartley.  We live in a very quiet area (dirt roads) and are able to let the dogs walk on a loose long leash and sniff around for most of our walks.  Bless his heart, every time a car was coming, Hartley came back to my Mum (without being asked) and gently nudged her over to the side of the road as if he was worried she didn't know there was a car coming!  Amazing -   he really took care of her.... and here I was worrying he would pull on the leash and pull her over!