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.

 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

This is too funny and the pic of Vern in the sticker bush is priceless! Way to go Vern! He knows when you need him most! Take care out Laurie! 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Laurie, I am so relieved you made it ok and that Vern was there for you. Your blogs always make me laugh but this one actually make me misty when I read this part.
 

  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. 

Vern, you are a very smart doodle and you deserve a really, really big hug for taking care of your mom.

I am not diabetic but I have had my blood sugar drop on a couple of occasions but once when I was alone and out walking. Luckily I was on my way to feed the ducks and was toting along a bag of stale bread, let's just say the ducks got a little less bread that day. I am always forgetting my phone even though I try not to. This is a good reminder of why not to forget.

Laurie, take care of yourself, we do not want to find out what it's like to miss you. 

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

As usual, I really laughed out loud with your blog!  I am soooo proud of Vern.  He really pulled through for you.  I am very impressed.  I love boy dogs!  Tell him he needs to work on his premature exclaimer issue though!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

What a great surprise.  Vern showed you that there is more to him than you thought.  I like the idea of having an inside helper and an outdoor one.  Just don't forget to bring those energy bars or a banana with you next time. I have often wondered what would happen if I got ill on a walk, (not a nice thought) Oh and DO NOT leave without your phone. Sorry to sound preachy here but it's totally selfish really. I wouldn't like to miss out on your great blogs lol

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am sincerely grateful for Vern's outdoors sensitivity to your needs and Fudge's indoor help, but I'm quite concerned with how you managed on the day you are describing. I seem to remember a dog bag from an earlier blog (or was it a discussion?) and maybe popping a few energy bars in there might be a good idea. I vote you take better care of yourself.

[Charlotte and Bo]

Better listen to "F".  Good boy Vern.  Next time pull Mom back to the car.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh, and next time, skip the walk , go home and take care of yourself if you feel unwell.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think you may need to paste a note on the door saying, "Take your cell phone". I try to remember mine even in the neighborhood now cause you never know.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

The pictures of Vern and Fudge in the car are priceless!  

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Thank goodness it all ended fine and three cheers for Vern to be so attentive and by your side.  I truly believe these dogs sense our feelings and pains.  Libby always sleeps at our feet on our bed and one night I was not feeing so good and very restless.  All of a sudden she came up to my shoulders (which she never does) and laid her body down and pushed up beside me.  I started petting her and I felt so much better and off to sleep we both went.  Since that night she was back at the foot of our bed.  They are amazing dogs!  Oh and Laurie the memory "thing", don't even go there!!!