Hello! My name is Nadja and I'm a service dog. I have a lot of interesting stories to tell about my training, my partner, my job and my experiences; so I thought I'd start my own blog to tell you all about it!
The first thing you should know about me is that I am a German Shepherd and at the time of this post, am one year old (my birthday is coming up on the 26th of June, when I'll turn two years old ;-). I can't wait for my birthday! My human Mom really knows how to throw a doggie-good-time party! Last year, we had a pool party (I LOVE to swim!) with a Scooby-Doo cake, all my doggie friends, and BOY did We have a GREAT time! Woof!
My partner (i.e., human Mom) is Kimberly Carnevale. She used to ride/train horses for a living, but then she had a really bad car accident in 1998, and suffered a traumatic brain injury. A while later, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She was in a whole lot of pain, needed a lot of help doing the things that she couldn't do for herself, and got really, really depressed.
Lucky for her, she had Dewey, her first service dog, to help her! Dewey pulled her wheelchair, alerted to her seizures, and taught her how to walk again. Most importantly Mom says, he taught her how to LIVE again. ;-) With Dewey by her side, she felt as though she could accomplish anything...and boy did they accomplish a LOT together! So much, it filled a book...and the next book is on the way! *you can read all about my Mom's journey through a program called, Canine and Abled, Inc. at: http://www.canineandabled.com/ * I'm a full-fledged Canine and Abled dog, and I'm very proud of that!
But back to me...
My job is to do the tasks that my Mom's current service dog, Dawson, does for her. Dawson is a really beautiful Collie and has been taking care of Mom since Dewey retired. He's getting ready to retire, so Mom needed a new service dog, and I'm it!
Mom came to meet me when I was eight weeks old. My doggie family has lots of working dogs in it, and I was specifically choosen because of this. Mom drove a really, really long way to pick me up, and I rode all the way home in her lap (even though she brought a crate for me to ride in). I cried when she first put me in the crate, because I wasn't too familiar with a car, and wanted to have the safety of my new Mom to comfort me.
Mom and I bonded immediately! She loved me, and I loved her...and the kid! Oh, I can't forget to tell you about my kid! I just LOVE my kid! She's my human sister...she's five and a half years old right now; and boy does she love me! We have lots and lots of fun together...playing games, running around, and even swimming together; she's a great playmate, and I keep a close eye on her for my Mom.
So I have my kid, and Dawson, and my funny, little fur person; Gracie who is my pet ;-) Gracie is a Shih-Tzu/Bichon mix. She's a year older than me, and we're best buds! If anyone gets near her at the dog park, I put myself between them and lead Gracie away... I am protective of her, but my Mom keeps telling me that I don't need to be, as Gracie has been known to make big doggies like Great Danes run away from her! She's very special to me, though; so I make sure that I lead her away from all potential danger.
So that's my fuzzy and funny family ;-) I can't wait to share more with you! I have so many stories to tell and things to share! Check back regularly...oh, and feel free to ask questions!
"See" you soon!
--Nadja
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