Last year on February 1st I had to put my Germam Shepherd, Eden to sleep (she was 11 years old and had cancer). I was absolutely DEVISTATED and didn't think I would ever want another dog. I don't believe Legend is REPLACING Eden...it's more like changing of the guard. Eden was EXTREMELY special to me--she was a Per Therapy Dog--had a fantastic personality, chances bricks, always had to touch me, and was always smiling. With Legend, only time will tell, he's still just a little Peanut.
Having Gastroparesis has slowed me down a bit, anyone who knew me prior to getting sick can tell you as much. I am hoping that by getting Legend I will have an increase in energy--or, at the very least, he'll be able to take my mind off of a flare-up. It been well documented over the years about the healing effects of pet ownership. Dogs, in particular, seem to have a special affinity for those with special needs and illnesses. There are dogs that alert peope to when they are going to have a seizure, others who seem to be able to sniff out various kinds of cancer, and still others that can detect diabetic complications. [http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/the-healing-power-of-dogs/?_r=0]
One recent steady discovered that by interacting with a pet increases a person's oxytocin level, the hormone that not only causes us to become more happy and trusting, but, in the long-run, prompts healing in the human body. [http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/03/09/146583986/pet-therapy-how-animals-and-humans-heal-each-other] Who doesn't feel better after hugging a fluffy bunny or cute dog?!
I can personally attest to visiting people in the hospital and seeing the faces of sick people light up as they would pet Eden and talk about pets they had at home or War Veterans talked about German Shephers they had just like her as partners. Petting a dog does AMAZING things for people. As a patient in a hospital myself who received a visit from a Pet Therapy Dog, it really does brighten your day and make you feel SO much better.
While I don't intend to turn Legend into a Pet Therapy Dog for the masses like I did Eden, I will use him for myself. Maybe he will learn to detect migraines or Gastroparesis flares. He's SO smart already, so I wouldn't doubt it. Don't EVER turn down the opportunity to have a pet visit if you see one coming. They are VERY worth it!!
