My husband is visually impaired and has EOAD and is 61 years old. He has had a seeing eye guide dog for the past 8 years and tonight the dog suddendly died. This dog was the one thing that could keep him focused and he cared for him and loved him with all of his heart. The dogs life was devoted to him and went everywhere with him, restaurants, doctors offices , church, hospitals. He was just a much a part of him as his arms and legs . He has been able to care and work with the dog, when other abilities have become lost. He is of course very upset and I expect a downward spiral at least for awhile as he adjusts and grieves. I would appreciate any prayers for him in the days to come. Thank you!
Sandy, that really is very sad news. It would be hard enough for anyone to lose their seeing eye guide dog but for someone with both visual loss & EOAD it is a greater loss. Not expected at 8 years of age. I am sorry and will pray for you and your husband.
How very very sad. I would be weeping. I will certainly pray for you both... Perhaps the favorite dog blanket might comfort him a small bit. It would comfort me.
Sandy,how devastating for your husband to lose his dog.I can't imagine the loss you both feel.My heart goes out to you both.Our dog is my husbands life,when our last dog died from cancer 3 years ago it really set my husbands AZ on a downward spiral.Within a month I found another Doberman at a rescue on line and got it.Hubby thinks it's the same dog,I stopped trying to tell him differently.I only hope you can comfort you husband in some way.
Sandy, what a terrible thing to happen. It's so hard losing a beloved pet, but to lose a service animal who is as much a part of you as a limb, must be so hard on your husband, and also you. My condolences and prayers for you both.
Sandy, I'm so sorry and have offered a prayer for you and your husband. To have the health issues of your husband and lose such a helpmate is heartbreaking. Can you get another service dog? My hb constantly talks to his little terrier and tells her he loves her and other "sweet nothings." I know if she dies before him, we'll have to get another dog even though I'm ready for a life w/no pets.
Why is it when our spouses have been hit with this insidious disease and are losing their minds, and their bodies are wasting away, and their personalities are lost to us, and they have so little left, that they lose the one thing that brings them unconditional love and devotion? So many have lost their pets these last two years, but to lose a seeing-eye dog would be 100 times worse...The dog was his eyes and had his heart.
I can't begin to express my sympathy for his loss. I pray that you are able to acquire another dog quickly and that they will become attached just as quickly.
I am so sorry for you and your husband's loss..you are grieving for a member of the family and an indispensable companion. I am praying that the Lord will send you another service dog to help your husband function.
Awww. so sorry for this to happen Sandy to you and your poor DH. i know he must be devastated losing his service friend and companion. i agree if you can get another it may be a good thing for him not to grieve too long. with AD maybe his loss wont be too severe and he wont remember so much like we do. hugs to him and you divvi
Oh Sandy, When it rains it pours. I am so sorry for the loss of this special dog . I hope you can get a new companion for DH as soon as possible..He needs it to love and fuss over and the returned affection of a special dog. Blessings,
Do they require the person with vision problems complete some 'companion' training with the new seeing eye dog. I wonder if that would be possible, Sandy.
I just wish a new dog could be slipped into the house and he'd sit down beside your husband's chair and pretend he had always been there.
At one time, I seem to recall they were all German Shepherds. Don't they use different breeds now, such as labs?
I am so sorry for you, for your husband and his extradinorary canine friend.
I am truly overwhelmed by the caring and support from all of you. It is so evident that everyone really cares about each other. Today was a very very hard day. My daughter who lives close was here with our grandaughters and my younger daughter who lives 2 hours away came to give support to her father. When her husband called to see how my husband is doing she could only sum it up as "Lost" Which is what it is. We took the dog(his name is Morris) to the Vet to have the body taken care of since we cannot bury him in the city. He believes that Morris had a heart attack. My husband had that dog with him in everything he did for 8 years and even the act of walking to the car was difficult for him. It is so heartbreaking to watch. We had to call the organization that provided the dog to him and notify them that he had died. They asked him if he wanted another dog, and he does, but to get one he would have to go there for 2 weeks to work with the new dog. He needs assistance throughout the day and would not be able to function on his own, and they won't allow spouses to come with him, however the head trainer told us today that he was going to talk with the board and see if since he knows how to work with the dog and knows the commands and ect required to work with a dog, if they would approve him to get a seasoned dog, (one who had been in service but had been returned because it's person died, or could no longer keep them and he would come to our home for a week to work with him and the dog. He couldn't definitly promise that they would approve this but we are praying that they will. He needs this for his independence, confidence and safety. These dogs are amazing in how much they can do. So we at least have some hope that he may get another dog. It won't replace the love he had for Morris , but I know he will be able to bond with another dog. Well, I have gone much too long but again thank you all so much for your incredible support
There are service dogs who are trained to work with Alzheimer patients. It is not well known, and it sounds as if the organization you are dealing with is not aware of them. The program started in Israel and is quite active there - http://www.collies-israel.netfirms.com/aboutbreed/alzheimer_aid_dogs/alzheimer_aid_dogs.html, which obviously isn't going to do you any good. I have Googled it, and although it appears the program is not available in the US, you could contact service dog agencies in this country to find out if they have a similar programs. Check these links:
I am very sorry about this loss. I hope things work out so you can get another dog that will be a good companion and will help your DH.. My prayers for you and your family.
Hello, I just want to give you all an update on my husband. It has been a week since Morris died. It has been a difficult week and there has been a definite decline for my husband as far as his Alzheimers. However he is more open to getting another dog partly because it is very difficult for him to function without his helper. Everything he did , he was assisted by him. The paperwork has all been sent in from the Vet and from his doctor,so we are just waiting to hear if they will approve the trainer to bring the dog to our home for training. It seems like it has been a very long week and I feel pretty down tonight, but know alot of it is exhaustion. The weekend will give me the opportunity to clean the house. If the trainer does come here, it needs to be presentable.