Mookie was part of the special needs program. He was
paired with a woman who is paralyzed on her left
side with no use of her left arm or leg. Her right
hand lost all feeling in another accident so Mookie
is vital to her ability to have an active lifestyle.
After returning home from her 3-weeks of training at
Guiding Eyes, she took Mookie out to "get busy." She
heard him whimper and he then lunged forward causing
her to lose the leash. She cried out his name for
him to return and then heard him yelp. Still calling
for him, she was suddenly struck in the face and
fell to the ground knocking her unconscious breaking
her nose and facial bones. Bleeding profusely from
her nose and laying on the cold ground, Mookie
returned to her, licked her back to consciousness,
and pulled/dragged her back into the building where
her daughter called an ambulance. Throughout the
visit to the emergency room, he stayed close to
her stretcher. When she got home that evening, he
would not leave her side including crawling up into
the bed and laying along side her. She has been
recovering from her injuries for the past several
months. Mookie was taken to the vet and it was
discovered he had suffered a blow to the face which
didn't harm him, but his nose was swollen and tender
for a few days. She considers him a hero--and I'm
very proud. As a puppy raiser, you always wonder if
they will ever make that transition and understand
their role of responsibility. He obviously "gets"
what to do. She says he is her hero having saved her
life.
Mookie continues to do well. He takes her to school
each day. She simply gives him the room number and
he takes her to whatever room is necessary. The two
have bonded through their difficult experience
together and are doing well.
Merle Poirier