Chloe is a thin salt and pepper Schnauzer Maltese cross (we think) who is high strung but highly affectionate. She loves being in the company of people and excitedly greets everyone who comes into our home. Chloe regularly gets up on her hind legs so you can give her a high ten on her front paws. She loves flipping her chew toys in the air, cuddling with her owners and utters a high pitched "wooh-wooh-wooh"sound when she's excited.
I am secure enough in my masculinity to say Homer and Chloe are adorable. I love them all the more for how wonderful they are with my 13 year-old-autism spectrum son, Aiden.
With his attention deficits and motor skill delays, Aiden sometimes picks up our dogs awkwardly when he goes to put them on a couch or bed. While they may sport a somewhat concerned look, they take being packed around by Aiden in stride. Chloe in particular has a great deal of loving patience with Aiden. While Homer may occasionally flee when Aiden strokes him somewhat roughly on the couch, Chloe hangs in there, taking all the hands on attention she can get.
What's been a great benefit to having these two rescue dogs the last few yeas is the great amount of responsibility they have instilled in my child. My wife Joelle and I have greatly enjoyed watching our son talking to Chloe and Homer in a cheerful, encouraging manner as he rounds them up to let them outside. He's also stepped up and done a wonderful job in feeding them twice a day and walking them often, with his parents or on his own.
I am a big fan of dogs. The loyalty, the unconditional love, the whole "I am madly wagging my tail because I am so happy to see you even though you have only been gone to the grocery store for 20 minutes" thing, it's all great. My wife and son love our pups as much as I do, which makes for a harmonious household. But I am aware not all special needs children are able to embrace our four legged friends like Aiden can.
He doesn't have the high level of anxiety around animals I have seen in other autism spectrum kids and one Down syndrome child. Not every youngster is right for a pooch. But if you're a parent with a child who needs extra support and he or she is not terrified of dogs, I believe the right mutt can help draw them out in a positive manner.
Where do you get the right dog? To me the best choice is an animal rescue society or shelter.
The first dog we had with Aiden, came into our home when my son was about three years old. She came from a pet store. Aiden named her Polly. She was a Shih Tzu Schnauzer cross and a beautiful dog with long curly black and white hair. She was protective of a pre-school Aiden to the point where she would growl on the leash if she saw a child on the playground get too close to him. Unfortunately Polly had aggression and other behavior issues. She was a willful dog that tested the resolve of my wife and I. We loved her but we had to keep an eye on her all the time. With the aid of a dog trainer we were able to improve our experiences with Polly to a degree but she was still a lot of work.
Polly also had a series of health issues and we ultimately lost her to liver failure at just seven years old. The bottom line is I will never get a pet store dog again. You do not know what you are getting. They charge you big bucks, encourage you to buy many dog accessories and then you're gone with a dog hoping it's going to work out.
Alternatively, the two rescues societies my family has had dealings with were fantastic. They took many steps to make sure the dogs we adopted were a good match for us. There was full disclosure. The nature and behavior of the dogs was discussed with us and we were required to offer up plenty of information about ourselves to prove we would be solid pet owners. The rescue societys want the adoptions to work so they are not going to pair you up with a dog that's not right for you. Many of them will also let you take the dog for a short trial period. If it works out, great! If it doesn't the canine is returned to the shelter it came from so it can be matched up with someone else.
If you're thinking dog and you know your family is ready for one, please talk to an organization like Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation (www.heavencanwait.ca) in High River, Alberta. They set us up with our laid back and lovable grunting pal Homer. You could also check out a group like the Calgary based Little Mutts Rescue Society (www.littlemuttsrescue.org) who got us together with the sweet and energetic Chloe.
She's come a long way, from the streets of Cabos San Lucas Mexico to sleeping to the right of my chair as I write this. Homer is snoozing on my left. Thanks guys, for keeping me company as I ramble on about how great you are.
Chloe
Homer
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