Dear
Elf,
Yesterday
was your 7th birthday and without a doubt, I can tell you that we
love you to the moon and back.
We
were in Kentucky looking for a place to live when I got the phone call for our
interview with 4 Paws For Ability which determined our eligibility to
fundraise. A few months later, we moved
out-of-state, away from friends and family, and started the crazy fundraising
journey. Thinking back, I did not ever
really focus on how much money we needed to raise. We were fortunate enough
that the right people heard our story at the right time and decided to help us
fundraise; a year later we were finished and waiting for the day that we would
meet you.
Fun
fact, we were supposed to be in a spring class but I decided to call 4 Paws and
ask if we could have a summer class because of school and work and life. Thankfully, we were early enough in the
program that they did not have the same wait times that they do now and we were
moved to a summer class. Here is the
thing, someone else had decided you were not the fit for their family and if we
wouldn’t have delayed, I’m sure we would have had a super service dog but it
wouldn’t have been Elf-super.
Honestly,
I do not think we really knew what all you could or would do for our
family. We were scared and more than a
bit desperate. Words like tracking,
tethering, and behavior disruption sounded useful and well it was all going to
be packaged in a furry package so how could we possibly go wrong?
Then
the email with your picture arrived and we were in love. Your happy eyes and loveable face made us
feel like we were truly on the right path and that you and Caden were going to
do good things together. However, the morning we met you, you were a bit more enthusiastic than we imagined and we
were a little baffled as to how it would all work. Turns out you were just super food motivated and
frequently became Jeremy’s demonstration dog because you loved to do your work
and be the center of attention. Training
was an emotional and tough process but it had nothing to do with you. You knew exactly what to do, we were the ones
who had so much to learn and I continue to be thankful that you were so patient
with us.
The
first night back at the hotel, you immediately looked for your boy when we put
him in the bath. I remember thinking
wow, he does not even want Caden out of his sight, which was very true, but now
I know you were also worried about what we were doing to your beloved boy by
putting him in water. You know the
water, labs generally love, but you avoid at all costs?
Eventually
we all settled into our routine. You
have gone to fairs and amusement parks with us, you have been subjected to
cheer bows at dance competitions, and you have reluctantly sat on a boat with
us. You have spent a great deal of time in the hospital and never complained
about the long hours or late dinner. You
have gone to school, on vacation, been on television, and wow have you been
thrown up on more times than I can count (sorry about that but your boy really
loves you when he is not feeling well).
The other day someone asked me what services you provided and I am embarrassed
to say it took me a few seconds to find the words tethering, behavior
disruption, and tracking. Don’t get me
wrong, you do all of those things perfectly whenever asked but you have become
so much more than that; you are Caden’s best friend. And to be truthful, at one time or another,
you have been a best friend to all of us when we needed you.
Last
July we found a tiny painless bump on you and a quick trip to the vet confirmed
our worst fears. You had cancer. You needed surgery and we would not know
until after the biopsy came back what the prognosis was. Needing to tell Caden
what was going on and just generally needing to cope with life until we had
clear answers was next-to-impossible. Thankfully,
we were able to give Caden the best birthday present ever—the surgery worked
and you were going to be okay.
Confronting
the reality that you will not always be with us was one of the hardest thing I
have had to do. So much of who he is and
what he has been able to accomplish is because of you. You are there in the middle of the night when
nightmares strike and you are there in the afternoon for much needed hugs and
cuddles. You are the first one on a bed
and always in the middle of any celebration that we have. You have been in our lives for so many
moments; losing a parent, bringing a child home, moving, and more life
decisions and heart breaks than I can count.
You have also just been there at the end of a long day and have never
turned down snuggles.
When
we started on our journey to you, I never imagined the impact that you would
have on all of us and it certainly never crossed my mind that we would
eventually need to say good-bye.
Intuitively I knew that because I have lost beloved pets over the years,
but you are so much more than that. Like
any family member, no one will ever be able to fill the gap you will leave in
our hearts.
Until
then we will continue to cherish every moment that we have with you and be
thankful for every job that you do for or with Caden. And when the time comes to say goodbye, I
hope we can be as strong and comforting for you as you have been for us. The loss will hurt but I will never regret
our decision. I will never regret
you.
If
I could give you one thing on your birthday it would be for you to know that we
love you to the extent and depth that you love our boy… all the way to the moon
and back.
Happy
Birthday Elfie!
