SeanCharles
Diamond Member
Yesterday evening, (Saturday, December 6, 2014) I found my emotional support Dog, Sheba dead. I got her at a very emotional period of time in my life. I had been admitted to our psychiatric in-patient unit at our local hospital following an episode that shall never be repeated. I wound up going 60 miles (that was planned) which wound up double or triple that distance to go to our local Hot Spring Resort. The next day I came back into town and crashed outside on the steps of my counselor's office building since I had a scheduled appointment that morning. Because of my condition he felt that I needed to be admitted because of the dissociated episode that occurred.
After some further counseling, we came to an agreement that a therapeutic dog would benefit me. After doing battle with the apartment complex owners, they finally approved my request for a dog. I had begun visiting the local shelter. Ironically I began visiting the shelter in search for a dog which would meet the criteria that the apartment would allow. The first visit I laid eyes on Sheba. She had just been returned to the shelter a second time. (This would be her second time being back at the pound.) And neither she nor I for that matter were ready for each other. The following week after a session I was approved for a dog. So, that Friday, I went to the shelter and adopted Sheba. I went to the pet store and got a crate, food bowls and a collar and leash for her. At this point she came into my life. At the time, I wasn't working and was on SSI. I began walking her and such daily since she couldn't play on the complex property. The more I had her with me in the apartment, I began to realize that she was not an apartment suitable dog.
Thus, began another project... Finding US a home, a real home. Given she was barely a yr old, I had realized just how little obedience training she had given she had been returned to the shelter for a second time. I began to work on a few basic skills and was amazed and surprised at how smart and quickly she learned what I was teaching her. Leash training was something we struggled with some since I didn't have a proper yard for her yet.
I had hatched a plan to begin transitioning into a home ownership program I had known about and was able to finally qualify for because of established rental history with the apartment. At the same time, the apartment owners, a brother/sister decided they wanted to put the apartment complex on the market!
However, this decision would lead Sheba and I to experience a separation. Why? because these two people were anti dog. While it was great that I was able to live with what would become an emotional support animal for my benefit, Her (Sheba) not being an apartment suitable dog, was problematic. Our separation occurred at a good timing because I had found US a house! It was located not far from the complex which made the move easy. As for Sheba, I refused to give her back to the pound knowing that I needed a dog in my life. I amazingly received a call from the shelter about someone who provided fostering for them when the need arose! I contacted that person and made arrangements for Sheba to temporarily go into foster care while I made the transition of our new home possible. From there the story continues...
I eventually brought her home to OUR house at a time when she had with a cohort escaped and caused some trouble.
Since then, Sheba lived a very happy and was well cared for. She served me well the few years we've been together!
Rest in Peace!
---SeanGeo
After some further counseling, we came to an agreement that a therapeutic dog would benefit me. After doing battle with the apartment complex owners, they finally approved my request for a dog. I had begun visiting the local shelter. Ironically I began visiting the shelter in search for a dog which would meet the criteria that the apartment would allow. The first visit I laid eyes on Sheba. She had just been returned to the shelter a second time. (This would be her second time being back at the pound.) And neither she nor I for that matter were ready for each other. The following week after a session I was approved for a dog. So, that Friday, I went to the shelter and adopted Sheba. I went to the pet store and got a crate, food bowls and a collar and leash for her. At this point she came into my life. At the time, I wasn't working and was on SSI. I began walking her and such daily since she couldn't play on the complex property. The more I had her with me in the apartment, I began to realize that she was not an apartment suitable dog.
Thus, began another project... Finding US a home, a real home. Given she was barely a yr old, I had realized just how little obedience training she had given she had been returned to the shelter for a second time. I began to work on a few basic skills and was amazed and surprised at how smart and quickly she learned what I was teaching her. Leash training was something we struggled with some since I didn't have a proper yard for her yet.
I had hatched a plan to begin transitioning into a home ownership program I had known about and was able to finally qualify for because of established rental history with the apartment. At the same time, the apartment owners, a brother/sister decided they wanted to put the apartment complex on the market!
However, this decision would lead Sheba and I to experience a separation. Why? because these two people were anti dog. While it was great that I was able to live with what would become an emotional support animal for my benefit, Her (Sheba) not being an apartment suitable dog, was problematic. Our separation occurred at a good timing because I had found US a house! It was located not far from the complex which made the move easy. As for Sheba, I refused to give her back to the pound knowing that I needed a dog in my life. I amazingly received a call from the shelter about someone who provided fostering for them when the need arose! I contacted that person and made arrangements for Sheba to temporarily go into foster care while I made the transition of our new home possible. From there the story continues...
I eventually brought her home to OUR house at a time when she had with a cohort escaped and caused some trouble.
Since then, Sheba lived a very happy and was well cared for. She served me well the few years we've been together!
Rest in Peace!
---SeanGeo
