Friday, April 6, 2018

Elf's 7th Birthday


Dear Elf,

Yesterday was your 7th birthday and without a doubt, I can tell you that we love you to the moon and back.

We were in Kentucky looking for a place to live when I got the phone call for our interview with 4 Paws For Ability which determined our eligibility to fundraise.  A few months later, we moved out-of-state, away from friends and family, and started the crazy fundraising journey.  Thinking back, I did not ever really focus on how much money we needed to raise. We were fortunate enough that the right people heard our story at the right time and decided to help us fundraise; a year later we were finished and waiting for the day that we would meet you.

Fun fact, we were supposed to be in a spring class but I decided to call 4 Paws and ask if we could have a summer class because of school and work and life.  Thankfully, we were early enough in the program that they did not have the same wait times that they do now and we were moved to a summer class.  Here is the thing, someone else had decided you were not the fit for their family and if we wouldn’t have delayed, I’m sure we would have had a super service dog but it wouldn’t have been Elf-super.

Honestly, I do not think we really knew what all you could or would do for our family.  We were scared and more than a bit desperate.  Words like tracking, tethering, and behavior disruption sounded useful and well it was all going to be packaged in a furry package so how could we possibly go wrong?

Then the email with your picture arrived and we were in love.  Your happy eyes and loveable face made us feel like we were truly on the right path and that you and Caden were going to do good things together.  However, the morning we met you, you were a bit more enthusiastic than we imagined and we were a little baffled as to how it would all work.  Turns out you were just super food motivated and frequently became Jeremy’s demonstration dog because you loved to do your work and be the center of attention.  Training was an emotional and tough process but it had nothing to do with you.  You knew exactly what to do, we were the ones who had so much to learn and I continue to be thankful that you were so patient with us.

The first night back at the hotel, you immediately looked for your boy when we put him in the bath.  I remember thinking wow, he does not even want Caden out of his sight, which was very true, but now I know you were also worried about what we were doing to your beloved boy by putting him in water.  You know the water, labs generally love, but you avoid at all costs?

Eventually we all settled into our routine.  You have gone to fairs and amusement parks with us, you have been subjected to cheer bows at dance competitions, and you have reluctantly sat on a boat with us. You have spent a great deal of time in the hospital and never complained about the long hours or late dinner.  You have gone to school, on vacation, been on television, and wow have you been thrown up on more times than I can count (sorry about that but your boy really loves you when he is not feeling well).  The other day someone asked me what services you provided and I am embarrassed to say it took me a few seconds to find the words tethering, behavior disruption, and tracking.  Don’t get me wrong, you do all of those things perfectly whenever asked but you have become so much more than that; you are Caden’s best friend.  And to be truthful, at one time or another, you have been a best friend to all of us when we needed you.

Last July we found a tiny painless bump on you and a quick trip to the vet confirmed our worst fears.  You had cancer.  You needed surgery and we would not know until after the biopsy came back what the prognosis was. Needing to tell Caden what was going on and just generally needing to cope with life until we had clear answers was next-to-impossible.  Thankfully, we were able to give Caden the best birthday present ever—the surgery worked and you were going to be okay.

Confronting the reality that you will not always be with us was one of the hardest thing I have had to do.  So much of who he is and what he has been able to accomplish is because of you.  You are there in the middle of the night when nightmares strike and you are there in the afternoon for much needed hugs and cuddles.  You are the first one on a bed and always in the middle of any celebration that we have.  You have been in our lives for so many moments; losing a parent, bringing a child home, moving, and more life decisions and heart breaks than I can count.  You have also just been there at the end of a long day and have never turned down snuggles.

When we started on our journey to you, I never imagined the impact that you would have on all of us and it certainly never crossed my mind that we would eventually need to say good-bye.  Intuitively I knew that because I have lost beloved pets over the years, but you are so much more than that.  Like any family member, no one will ever be able to fill the gap you will leave in our hearts. 
Until then we will continue to cherish every moment that we have with you and be thankful for every job that you do for or with Caden.   And when the time comes to say goodbye, I hope we can be as strong and comforting for you as you have been for us.  The loss will hurt but I will never regret our decision.  I will never regret you. 

If I could give you one thing on your birthday it would be for you to know that we love you to the extent and depth that you love our boy… all the way to the moon and back. 

Happy Birthday Elfie!