Me and Bea

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia. I have lived in 15 states but call Fayetteville, Texas home. After I graduated from High School in Panama City, Florida, I joined the United States Marine Corps.

I was sent to the lovely and exciting tropical paradise of South East Asia. There I met all kinds of new people, most of them were not very friendly. I came home, did two years of college, got married, had four kids. Remarried years later and my life was upgraded more than I deserved.

Two and a half years ago, I lost the love of my life to cancer. I was alone and couldn’t do many things I had taken for granted over the years. A great friend suggested I get a service dog. He found Service Dogs, Inc. and the rest is history. Well, not all history. The fun part is just starting.

A description of my physical challenge: I am wheelchair-bound, I have COPD. My left leg is amputated above the knee. My neck is fused together. Both my shoulders have been replaced but one is frozen. Then all the effects of 6171m better known as Agent Orange. It seems every organ in my body is touched in some way or somehow by Agent Orange. I sweat on half of my body.

Because of my physical challenges and since I lost my wife, I couldn’t do my laundry. With my bad shoulders I could not lift wet towels. I seem to drop everything I touch. I had trouble dressing myself (coats, socks and pants). Getting out of my recliner is a chore. Every time I needed something, like a bottle of water, it’s an ordeal. My emergency meds like my nitro pills and my medical alert device were never where I needed them.

I did not like my life. It was empty and dark. I had not the energy to do any of the daily tasks that needed to be done. I felt I needed help, both with the daily tasks and keeping myself safe.

I chose Service Dogs, Inc., because they responded quickly. They were closer to home than others. The price was right – free!

When I went to fill out the application for a service dog, I was introduced to Miss Deana. It was then and there that I realized that I was home.

The staff was always there and you couldn’t find a group of more dedicated people helping you find your new best friend! I can’t say I chose SDI, but I can say I was lucky enough to be chosen by them.

I only met one dog. That was Beatrice. We were supposed to meet for just a short while on our first meeting. The reason for the short visit was to see how we meshed together. Did I like her, did she like me? I was there to meet several dogs. Bea and I hit it off so well that I never met another dog. So at that time I didn’t know that we would be paired. All in all, it was one of the greatest moments of my life to have met my new best friend and someone to help me with my daily routine. I had no idea what to expect when I was chosen for a service dog. I was very anxious and very nervous. What if I don’t pass? What if I don’t like the dog? A thousand things went through my mind. Once I was introduced and started my classes, all my worries were moot. The staff were very courteous and professional. There were no time limits or pressures to learn a command. Being at ease makes your experience with SDI much more pleasant.

How does Beatrice help me? It would be quicker if I told you what my dog doesn’t do for me. She gets me water from the fridge then closes the door. Does my laundry, brings my dirty clothes to the laundry room, takes them out of the basket and puts them in the front load washer. After they are washed, Bea takes them out of the washer and puts them into the front load dryer. After they are dry, she gives them to me so I can fold them or hang them. She opens doors for me which is a big deal when you are in a wheelchair. She retrieves my meds and medical alert device. When I drop anything, she is there to pick it up. She helps remove my clothes at night, tugs off my socks, pants and coat. Probably the biggest thing she does for me is just being there for me. She keeps me from going insane! Miss Bea is the only thing I can talk to, living alone as I do.

How my life has changed with my new Service Dog? It is wonderful. I was a shut-in before I got Bea. There was so much I couldn’t or wouldn’t do by myself. Now I go places and see people. She has become part of me. You wonder how you made it before you got a service dog.

Before I was paired with Bea, I was a wreck waiting to happen. No one wanted to talk to me, no one wanted to help around the house, no one to care for. I had lost my wife. There wasn’t one good thing going for me in my life. And let’s not forget COVID 19. Now I want to get out and do more, see people, experience life again. I lost so much and now I want to get it back. Bea makes me see the world in a totally new light and I am forever thankful.

When I first got Beatrice, I mentioned to one of the trainers that Beatrice is a long name for a dog. Growing up I was told to give a dog a one syllable name because it is easier for them. Anyway, the trainer said, “We don’t call her Beatrice, we call her Bea.” My eyes welled up and I was moved very deeply. My wife had just passed and her name was Betty. Three guesses to what I called my wife. That’s right Bea!

I think she sent me Beatrice!