INSPIRING STORY OF THE WEEK – SERVICE DOG TAKE A BREATH by ELLEN LENOX SMITH
INSPIRING STORY OF THE WEEK
SERVICE DOG TAKE A BREATH
by ELLEN LENOX SMITH
This is the inspiring story of a dog called into service.
Maggie was Ellen’s service dog, but she was so much more! Ellen always called Maggie her heroine. She didn’t just make life so much easier for Ellen. She actually saved her life from near disaster.
The anticipation of waiting for her service dog match was nerve racking. In fact, Ellen wondered if she would have the strength to work with a dog. But her feelings of isolation from the life she had known pushed her forward. Ellen waited a total of eighteen months for her match. It was a tough time for her, waiting and wondering what it would be like. She felt such apprehension about handling the responsibility of another live being. Then she got the call.
The Inspiring Story of how timing means everything
Ellen attended a two week training session at NEADS (Dogs for Deaf And Disabled Americans) and met Maggie for the first time. The training was a challenge for a person not feeling well and still living in a wheelchair. But their bond began on day one. Upon passing the test with her, they arrived home . . . and suddenly, Ellen found out that timing means everything. One more day of waiting for her could have meant the end of her life.
Feelin’ the love
This is just the beginning of the inspiring story of how Maggie and Ellen fall in love.
It was on Thanksgiving morning, just six days after coming home, when Maggie suddenly awakened Ellen. She jumped onto her bed and began licking and rubbing up against her. Although it took a long time for Ellen to respond, Maggie kept working on her. She had detected trouble in her breathing. As Ellen gradually became more coherent, she suddenly realized her new partner had just saved her life. Ellen had stopped breathing, but Maggie made her reposition herself until Ellen resumed her breathing. Just one more day of waiting to be matched with her service dog and Ellen might not be alive to tell her story. Timing in life can make such a difference!
And that was just the first time Maggie showed her keen intuition and love.
This story is now published in Tales2Inspire ~ The Garnet Collection (Stories in Feathers and Fur)
and also in the double header, Tales2Inspire ~ The Diamond Collection – Series III
