Friday, September 30, 2011

Happy Birthday Dear Mercy!

Today our dear beautiful golden, silly pup turned two. It seems like she has been a part of our family for so long even though it hasn't even been a year. She has been a priceless addition. The funny thing I noticed about having an autism assistance dog is that many times when we take her out, Chris feels so comfortable that his autistic behaviors are sometimes hardly visible. For some reason I didn't really expect that to happen. Lately we often find ourselves laughing and having fun when before even a trip to the store was an exhausting and stressful event. Most of the time Chris pretty much just looks like a boy with a dog.  We sometimes get confused looks as people try to figure out which one of us needs the assistance dog!
In her young career Mercy has stopped meltdowns, 'found' Chris at Kings Island and once in Target, provided comfort at the orthodontist, ER, doctor's office, church, field trips, and at family events. We even had fun at a mall - something my son would never have wanted to do before. Chris now sleeps in his own room-all night in fact. These are not small things to a child with autism. They are priceless things for the parent.
Mercy has brought so many laughs to us. Her quirkiness can lighten up the dreariest day. She watches T.V. and loves the cat to no end. She often gets frustrated with her kong and barks at it until I get the treat out. When she knows the time is coming to go to her kennel she goes to the couch and gives a dramatic performance that could win an Oscar. She drapes her head over the back of the couch and looks up at me as if to say "I am sooo comfortable here and ohh soo tired, can't I just stay here?". She can be such a drama queen. She also has an obsession with pillows. Of course keeping a highly intelligent and high energy dog happy and busy takes energy and patience. We have our share of 'puppy behaviors' when she doesn't get enough attention or mental activity. She has taught Chris to keep his shoes in the laundry room, that is for sure.
She sometimes acts as if she is my assistance dog too. When I come down with a cold or am just over stressed she will lay by me or lay her head on me and look up at me with those soulful loving eyes. Once when I slept without my sleep apnea machine she woke me up - standing over me with her muzzle in my face. The look on her face registered concern, she looked like she wanted to say "are you ok?"
The journey to get her took us in new directions and brought wonderful people into my life that I would have never known otherwise. I have seen acts of extreme kindness and met people who have overcome huge challenges and are the better for it. It has ignited in my soul a strong desire to pitch in and volunteer. In short, it reminds me of the title of my favorite childhood book: "The Incredible Journey".
So we give her an extra treat and extra time to play with the cat-it's her birthday after all. Then we sing happy birthday to her. "Happy birthday dear Mercy, happy birthday to you - and many more".
Oh yes, please, many many more.