NZ autism service dog: burglars, beaches, & brushes with the ER and dentist office
Note: I incorrectly called Dexter an autism service dog. He’s a multipurpose service dog…Judy
November 1, 2008. A couple of weeks ago (writes Josh’s mother) I happened across a suspicious surly character in my back yard. It was the middle of the day and I had just picked up the boys.
I got Dexter Darlin out of the car and standing right next to my very big white dog I saw this guy off my property. It wasn’t a very civil exchange on his part. A few minutes later, children safely inside I wandered out onto the street, angry and flustered, flagged down a passing police car and pointed out the rude intruder about 50 yards up our street. The next thing I know he is arrested for multiple burglaries in our street. Moral of the story. “Always be polite and friendly to the lady with the very big white dog.”
Dexter Darling also made it possible for Joshua to join his class on the school trip to the beach. But I have got to say I’m not sure Dexter has been in sand before. Josh was tethered to Dexter and when they hit the sand they both pranced, danced and galloped like a couple of performing circus ponies. I have never seen a tethering display like it! The delight from both was contagious. Being the fool holding the lead I reckon I galloped a bit myself.
We also had an unexpected visit to the A & E (Emergency) department. Josh had fallen and hurt his ankle and couldn’t walk. When I rang ahead to check the wait time and mentioned we were bringing the service dog, we got the royal treatment and were told an exception would be made and they gave us as an appointment time and whisked us straight through!
Josh was being carried and I had Dexter on the lead. The look of panic on Dexter’s face when the doctor closed the consulting room door was priceless. Josh was happy, after all Dexter was there. Dexter on the other hand had sheer panic written on his face. He sat perfectly still, but his eyes flashed constantly from me to the doorknob and back. I shifted my chair slightly so the door knob wasn’t inches from his nose. As I did Dave’s face burst into a huge smile. He told me later he was sure Dexter was about to grab that door handle and make a break for freedom. The doctor on the other hand had no idea Dexter didn’t enjoy his bedside manner.
We also had a brush with the Dentist. For the first time ever we got Joshua to a Dentist and he actually opened his mouth. Only because Dexter opened his mouth and let me examine all his teeth. When Josh saw this, his mouth opened wide like a lunchbox snapping open. He let the dentist check each of his teeth then the nurse rewarded Dexter and Josh with a sticker. Then she called them both over to a huge open drawer full of cellophane packets of brightly coloured toothbrushes. This was when I laughed as Josh stood helping Dexter select his toothbrush and Dexter had his head buried in this drawer as if he was searching for a doggy treat.
I will admit the trip to the hospital dentist wasn’t high on Dexter’s list of favourite places. The smell of the place had him slapping his bottom to the floor and digging his front toes in on occasions. But unlucky for Dexter the floors are highly polished and with a little shove from behind, I had him sliding through doorway!! But if he could had uttered something under his breath I am sure it would have been along the lines of …. “You’ve got to be kidding me! Have you smelt this place, let alone seen the size of that drill?”
Dexter Darlin is the best dog in the world …… I don’t know how we ever lived without him. God Bless you all, Andy, Josh, Jono and Darlin Dexter from New Zealand.
Note: to see more pictures of Dexter and Josh, click here.
Note: I highly endorse 4 Paws for Ability as a source for extremely well-trained service dogs. The organization is sound and its goals exceptional. Judy Vorfeld.