Anna & Canine Partner "Angie"..

 

“I have always loved dogs,” says Anna. “Suddenly my dad had a dog that would help him do many of the tasks we both find difficult and she wasn’t for sharing! However, my dad had recently lost his father and was diagnosed with respiratory failure.He was lonely and Angie became the lifeline he really needed, I could see their bond growing and it was just the support he needed.

When a canine partner comes into a family environment, it is only for one recipient but Angie did begin to do things for me as well. One day I was in with my Dad when my mobile phone began to ring. I dropped it before I could answer it and Angie immediately picked it up and delivered it back to me!”

Anna realised the difference a canine partner would make to her and debated applying to the Charity. However, Paul began to get quite ill and as he struggled to exercise Angie, Anna picked up some of the responsibility. “My Dad was worrying about Angie, so I reassured him that I would look after her for as long as he needed me to.”

Unfortunately Paul passed away in December 2008. “It was a very sad time for us, but I contacted Canine Partners straight away to ask if I could keep Angie both for myself and to fulfil my promise to Dad,” says Anna. “I was delighted when Canine Partners said I could take Angie back home. I suffer from bad asthma and continually forget to take my inhaler in the mornings and evenings. Angie has picked up on this and brings it to me and waits with me until I take it; if I forget she barks until I do! What’s more, when I recently had an asthma attack she went and fetched help without being asked to.”

Anna and Angie go everywhere together and give each other a great deal of emotional support. “Most people with brittle bones are scared of dogs,” explains Anna, “especially big ones like Angie. They are afraid that the dog might jump on them, breaking a bone or two. I want everyone with Osteogenesis Imperfecta to know that dogs like Angie understand this and they too could benefit from a canine partner. When Angie jumps up, she does it in such a gentle way that it’s like a feather touching you. She might be playful, but when it comes to the crunch she is as gentle as a lamb. I trust Angie when I’m out of the chair on the floor or in bed.

“We are so close. Angie has been there for both me and my Dad, which is a lovely feeling. It has been an emotional roller coaster, but without Angie I think I would have found it much more difficult.”

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