Faith: a 2 legged dog has a different perspective on life
December 28, 2009 by Holly
It is Christmas time and there are lots of great stories I could write about, but the one I received this morning from my daughter had the biggest message of all…
There was a puppy born on Christmas Eve, 2002, with 2 legs. His mother, the breeder and his first owner didn’t think he would ever walk and thought he should be put down. But along came Jude Stringfellow, a teacher, and someone who had the belief that this pup would walk some day. She named him Faith. Through coaxing and hard work, Faith was able to balance on his hind legs and walk by 6 months of age. Jude has given up her teaching position and is traveling the world with Faith to show people that you don’t have to have a perfect body to have a perfect soul.
“In life there are always undesirable things, so in order to feel better you just need to look at life from another direction. “ This is what I did when my husband, who has Frontotemporal dementia, recently lost his driver’s license. In less than a week, I am able to list more good things, than not, about our new situation…
- I will never had to nag him to keep his eyes on the road (no more ‘white knuckling’ drives)
- Dave will be able to watch the scenery 100% of the time, without a backseat driver; he loves the new views
- We will maintain, insure, and put fuel in only one vehicle
- Dave will become fitter because he will do more walking and biking
- We spend more time together doing chores (he pushes the grocery cart and lifts heavy items for me)
- It encourages me to be super organized as I fit in the extra ‘running around’ that Dave used to do for me
- It gets me out of the house more often because I know how much Dave likes, and needs variety to his days
- Dave is looking forward to bus trips to Vancouver to see his family; it is a new adventure for him and it will give me time to be alone
Both Dave and I have dreaded the day when Dave would lose his license and yet, life is good when you ‘look at it from another direction’.
Susan Badaluco on Sat, 7th Aug 2010 9:06 am
I found your site this morning and I knew for the first time in the last 8 months that there is someone I can relate with! My husband was diagnosed with FTD 8 months ago and the roller coster that we already were on now spins even faster. I am not the best with my writing skills as you are but when I read your articles they express feelings that I find difficult to write but you are able to describe.
There are so many issues that I would like to discuss. The fact that I finally reached out today is a milestone. I will write more later.
Thank you for sharing.
Susan
Holly on Sat, 7th Aug 2010 6:02 pm
Hi Susan,
Thank you for on reaching out. I created this website to connect, help and support other caregivers traveling the same journey.
For the first couple of years, I felt very alone because I couldn’t find anyone who could relate to what I was going through. The online forums and websites are doing their best but I wasn’t inspired or hopeful. It has been a steep learning curve but I have finally found ways to live an easier, richer life than before Dave’s diagnosis.
I would like to take the next step and chat on the phone please send me a note: hollyeburne@gmail.com.
Thank you again and I can guarantee you that there are many ways to feel better than you are feeling right now.
Warmly,
Holly