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| Name: |
Duncan
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Age: |
One and a half years old
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| Gender: |
Male |
Breed: |
Australian Shepherd
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| Home: |
Wisconsin, USA |
Well,
through much chaos that my life has brought me, I needed another dog to
train as a service dog. At that time, I didn't have quite an attachment to
him, but over time, Duncan taught me how to love again - and by love, I mean
I enjoy every ounce of his company and the company of others. The past
turmoils that I'd been handed have taught me to be "militant" and show no
emotion, don't go soft, etc. Duncan has definitely changed that.
When I was looking for a replacement service dog, I primarily looked for
herding breeds because disc dog sports have always been so much fun for me
(and the dogs). I interviewed various dogs, had been visiting the shelter
regularly, and had been trying to find that perfect dog that fit in with my
partner's dog and would just overall be a great dog.
I'd seen an ad about an Aussie pup that was going to be taken to the shelter
the next day if someone didn't come get him. At this point, I've never been
around Aussies before, and thought that they were independent working dogs
like border collies and heelers - dogs that loved to work work work. And boy,
was I in for a surprise!
Being a herding breed lover, I knew herding breeds have problems in shelters
from being cooped up and not being able to run. I ended up picking him up the
next day before his owner was going to take him in.
I took him home and found that this dog is a basket case! His socialization
was impeccable, but he had absolutely no boundaries what so ever. So his
listening skills to people were almost non-existent.
After many months of training and getting used to his chaotic behavior - I
began to loosen up with him. He is just a very silly and funny boy - always
trying to do something so "backwards" that it makes me laugh. I haven't had a
dog do that in a long time; get me to laugh at the antics. I've soon found
upon reading more books and magazines about Aussies, that they love to work,
but they love to work with their people. When I read that bit - I looked over
at him; he perked up and swayed his tail, then came over at put his front
paws on my lap. It felt nice to have a dog that I was bonded to and was
bonded to me too. He loves to play frisbee (although he didn't at first), we
go swimming together (yup, just him and I), and we (Duncan and I) are
planning a backpacking trip to tighten up that bond and see the world without
the city lights.
He's always so happy! Always smiling, wanting to interact, wanting to play,
and the biggest discovery is him laying on me. Some people teach service dogs
a command to lay on them (the person), as that has been proven to help with
anxiety. And good lord, does it! When I'm in a panic, he knows what to do!
He is so important to me, that he is getting a custom collar made for and I
am going to get a matching necklace. They will have hematite beads and wolf
teeth in them. My animal totem is the wolf - so the wolf will protect us on
our journey together. This dog means the world to me... it's hard to believe
that I tried being militant with this boy! He's taught me more than I can
thank him for over the last nearly year that I've had him. He's my boy. :)
Recently, my health took a wrong turn and the doctors have been pointing at
it being MS (Multiple Sclerosis). My balance has been hard to manage ... and
when I got Duncan, I had intended for him to be a Psychiatric Service Dog to
help with my PTSD. Now, he's being trained to help with my balance. He's
doing great so far! He still needs work, but I also cannot progress with him
until I get a new
harness for him. His current harness is not good for him, he cannot go up
the stairs with it on without falling backwards down the stairs when I do not
hold onto him.
Here is a slightly outdated but still fun compilation of Duncan videos.
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