Read the heartwarming story that shows the beautiful sensitivity of our dogs!

Mikko            

Six years ago my life was changed forever by a little black puppy. My daughter was visiting a breeder to play with some puppies. She was planning on getting one of them as soon as they were old enough but until then she went to play with all of them. One day I went with her to visit the puppies and I fell in love with a little black tri. It really was love at first sight. I played with all of the puppies but this little guy kept coming back for more and more love. The breeder finally said that I should just take him home for a few days to see how he did with my husband and other dogs and then to bring him back if I didn't want to keep him. Like that would ever happen! I already had a German Shepherd that I was supposed to have been a foster home for but filled out the paper work and kept her. I also had another mini Aussie at home and really did not need another dog. I later learned that there is an unwritten rule that you can't have just one mini Aussie. So of course I kept him and I have loved him ever since and since him got another mini Aussie. They are now registered as Mini American Shepherds.

When he was a puppy we started in obedience and agility. We continued, and later added herding, rally obedience, and confirmation classes. At home he loves to play fetch and is always the one to bring the ball all the way back to you. He is also great to cuddle with and is a great lap dog. He is great with all of the grandkids. Due to my foot surgeries and at the age of two Mikko was diagnosed with Lyme's disease and Ehrlichia disease, so we decided to try therapy dog work. He passed the TDItesting and we started visiting nursing homes and the Children's museum. He was so good with all of the children we took the READ course. We are now reading education assistants dog certified. There were times at the Children's museum that a parent would ask if they could have him since he was so good with the children and the children did so well with him. Every time we visit the Children's museum his line is one of the longest and he loves all of the children.

One story that stands out from visiting our favorite nursing home was about a gentleman named Dave. Dave was always there when we went to visit the nursing home. Dave was not a resident of the nursing home, but his wife Jane was a resident and he would go twice a day to visit her. She had severe Alzheimer's, but he would still go and they were always together in the TV room where they would visit with other residents and families. Jane was completely nonverbal so these dogs were always a welcomed addition to the day. Frequently their families were there to visit and they loved to greet and visit with Mikko. Mikko also loved visiting with everyone there. He would literally bounce into the building. Mikko was always so excited to see Dave and would snuggle up to him and always had this look of pure joy when Dave would pet him and give him attention. A couple of months ago I was unable to visit on our scheduled day, so I told Dave I would stop in later that month to bring Mikko to visit him. One Sunday morning I was getting up and ready to go to church and the next thing you know I was getting Mikko and my other dog ready also. My husband asked me where I was going and I told him that the dogs and I really needed to go to the nursing home. Mikko and I walked into the nursing home and went to the TV room where we normally visit Dave and Jane. But Dave and Jane were not there, so we stopped and visited with many other residents that we normally visit with. Then we went to the desk and asked about Dave and Jane. Jane had been ill so they were in her room. I asked if we could go see them and since everyone at the nursing home knew us they let us go in. Mikko went straight to Dave and greeted him. Dave's face just lit up seeing Mikko. I sat down with them and we talked for a quite a while. Mikko enjoyed being petted and talked to by their entire family. Jane had been in bed and was now in a coma. We were a very welcomed visit that day. Suddenly Mikko lifted his head, turned towards the bed and sniffed. He then went up to Dave and rubbed his entire body across Dave's legs and then wanted to leave. We said our goodbyes and I walked out into the hall. When we got to the hall you would not believe the line of wheelchairs waiting to see Mikko. After visiting with all of the people that were waiting for Mikko we finally made it to the car and Mikko was exhausted. I called the nursing home later in the week, planning on visiting again. But when I called I found out that Jane had passed away the next day. Somehow Mikko knew how sick she was and tried to snuggle with Dave.

We obviously were supposed to be there on that day!

CH Birchviews' Hat Trick Hero - CL-1, Cl-2, CGC, HCT'S, TDI, certified READ companion, TDIA

Mikko's owner is Joan Koskiniemi

In this podcast we hear from Dr. Benjamin Hart, a distinguished professor
emeritus and active researcher at the UC Davis School of Veterinary
Medicine. Dr. Hart is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Behaviorists and discusses his CHF-funded research into the health
implications of spay and neuter in Golden Retrievers, the results of which
he and his research team have just submitted for publication.

CHF is pleased to bring listeners a series of seven weekly podcasts
http://support.caninehealthfoundation.org/site/R?i=dAH7ghsc8KJRCeTY4lADGA
pertaining to the health and wellbeing of the canine athlete, and all dogs.

Listen to the Podcast
http://support.caninehealthfoundation.org/site/R?i=gZxVT8hRV8hZSRkNSOORgQ

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