Writer’s note: We Smith kitties wanted to help mom talk about service anipals.These are anipals who help hoomans with a disability do something they can’t do by themselfs cuz something in their body don’t work right.

Fluffy is a Pyrenees-golden retriever mix who now lives with his “lady’s” daughter because his hooman died. First, we interviewed Fluffy’s hooman about how Fluffy helped her mom. Then we talked to Fluffy! By the way, mommy sayz it important to say that these answers were edited for space and to clarify content.

How did you see the dog help your mother?
Mother was a legally blind, severely hearing-impaired, wheelchair-user. Mother did not have her mobility problems when she selected Fluffy as a hearing assist. Service dogs are trained to focus on one area. He’s trained for various auditory responses (alerting hoomans to door bells, alarms, etc.).

I trained him to open doors, to steady her walker, help her out of bed and hand her whatever she dropped, etc.

What made you want to take in the dog after your mother died?

I was reared in a household with service dogs for both parents. Mother’s service dog, a German Shepherd, died so she received Fluffy as her replacement. While we were waiting on (Fluffy’s) arrival, Father, (also disabled), died. Then his service dog, a yellow Labrador Retriever, mourned herself to death. Mother moved in with me but after Fluffy joined the household she returned home to live on a trial basis.

She had Fluffy only a couple of weeks when I had to go on an trip. She fell twice, about four hours apart. Both times, the dog set off the emergency responder and opened the door for the emergency personnel, but he wouldn’t let them come inside. After tricking him to gain entry, they helped Mother.

The first call came about midnight, so I could not get a flight home. I drove eight hours and arrived home to discover her covered in blood and disoriented. The dog was barking insanely as he ran back and forth between the door and the medical alert. The medical alert had become disconnected, but he kept pressing it for help.

When Mother died, Fluffy was considered too old to continue working; however, he doesn’t understand that concept and helps me out whenever the occasion calls for it.

Let’s talk to Fluffy!

What did you like about helping your owner?
I spent seven dog years — or one human year — training for this very purpose: It’s what I do! I went to live with a little old lady who paid me every day in cheese. Oh my, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. They told me that she was deaf, but after our first meeting, it was obvious they downplayed the situation. Not only did she have trouble hearing but she couldn’t see well and used a big stick to steady her walk.

We spent a lot of time going for rides. I love rides because I got the whole back seat to myself. And my lady’s daughter sometimes rolled the window down for fresh air. Over time, the rides increased from one to three or more times a week. The rides always were to people doctors or hospitals.

What is it like to be a retired service dog?
Please, I’m not retired. I went on strike because my lady’s daughter refused to pay me in cheese and steak. Then we struck a deal: I got to eat and stay inside an air-conditioned house for my continued services.

When my lady died, her daughter moved us to a new place and I don’t work as hard as before. My lady’s daughter still has me help her do stuff I helped my lady with like answer the door or bark at alarms.

There’s still a need for what I do; it’s just not as intense.

Tagged as: blind, disabled, hearing-impaired, service animals