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Kahlua just literally saved my life

Nik

Well-Known Member
Since Sunday I have been struck down with both Strep Throat and the Flu at once as diagnosed by my doctor. I have been pretty miserable with a 101 degree fever, a throat that makes it hurt to breath, much less swallow anything or talk, a horrible cough, body aches... all the fun stuff really.

Kahlua has been by my side through it all. Diesel needs his breaks so he is with me about 3/4 of the time and takes breaks to be by himself in his room (ie the kitchen).

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Most of the day they are by my side either sleeping or watching me like this.
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Some of you may remember that I have asthma. I have it severe enough that my doctor prescribed for me to have a service dog to warn me of impending attacks and alert and bring my inhaler if needed. I can't ever tell when an attack is coming and that is doubly true while I am sick.

I was trying to get some work done from bed because sick or not work doesn't stop and I am the only person at work who knows how to do what I do which means there is nobody to cover for me. I don't do sick days.

I am working on a particularly difficult project and Kahlua starts whining in a way I have never heard her whine. And she starts nudging me with her paw over and over. Unusual. She had already been fed. She had already used the potty. Still I thought perhaps she needed to go out again.... It happens. I get up and walk her outside. She keeps whining at me the whole way and tapping me with her paw. She refuses to leave my side. Tries to lead me over to sit down on the bench. Keeps, whining and tapping. Tries to lead me back inside. More whining and tapping. She is very unsettled. Very upset. Very insistent. Frustrated that I don't seem to understand.

Diesel is there but he is distracted by the neighbors making noise. He thinks they might be a threat and is off to investigate with his nose against the fence in an alert stance.

Kahlua starts getting more insistent about going inside and leads me back to the bedroom. But, she won't calm down, she won't stop with the whining and tapping. So I get up again to walk back out because I can't imagine what would have her fussing so much other than urgent potty needs. I have just reached my bedroom door (which is where I keep the inhaler) and the attack hits me. And it's bad. Bad enough that I cough up blood and am certainly not capable of going anywhere but I'm already where I need to be. I reach out grab the inhaler before I collapse to the floor and am able to use it in between coughs and gasps for air. Kahlua is right by my side leaning into me during all of this. We both crawl back up onto the bed. I use my second dose. Kahlua immediately curls up in my lap and is quiet and calm and watchful.

And that is where she still is right now. I am breathing again and she is laying on my lap head beside my computer and just watching me calmly. Next time she starts acting this way I will know what she is trying to say.
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Kahlua definitely knows she did a good job. She is very content right now and happy to just keep an eye on me to make sure I keep breathing the way I should be.
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Diesel on the other hand is making a huge fuss from his room. He wants to know that I am okay and as soon as I am no longer shaky I will get up and have him join us for the rest of the day.
 

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Hector

Well-Known Member
There is your medical alert dog right there! Amazing how these animals work! Glad you are okay.
 

maryl

Well-Known Member
Aren't dogs wonderful ! What would we ever do with out them? Hope you feel better soon.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Wow, Nik. Now you know that you've found the dog that's attuned to you and your needs. That's just perfect. I know that I'm prejudiced, but I say it's the boxer in her. You know that my first boxer used to alert my older daughter's low blood sugars. My younger daughter, also diabetic, just brought home a boxer boy that she plans to train as her diabetic alert dog. She has hypoglycemic unawareness. I hope that her dog ends up being as in tune with her as Kahlua is with you. Now ... is it maybe time to start working toward a CGC? Not that you need to do it, but it might not be a bad idea. I really hope you feel better soon.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Good dog, Kahlua!
If only they could talk... good thing you were back where you needed to be when the attack hit!!

Feel better soon. <3
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
There is your medical alert dog right there! Amazing how these animals work! Glad you are okay.

Thanks Hector! I had been planning to make Diesel my medical alert dog as he is pretty well in tune with me and has been able to notice pre-attack before. But, with Diesel he is so protective that if there is a distraction like loud neighbors or someone on the property then he is fully focused on what he sees as a potential outside threat. He will stand down when we tell him safe but he won't move off that high alert. He stays super focused even if he is lying obediently in his place.

Kahlua, will get protective as well but she isn't on constant alert in the same way. She is more or less constantly focused on me (aside from when playing with Diesel). A loud noise or someone coming to the door will have her boom her deep threatening bark a couple times and then she will stiffen into alert until we release her "safe". But, she is more focused on me, my mood, how I feel etc then anything else. So could be she would be better suited to the medical alert job. They are both so young still that I am mainly focused on getting them bomb proof with obedience and encouraging any good behaviors that develop naturally (like medical alert behaviors).

I really do have two amazing dogs on my hands and it is extremely cool to work with them and experience all the developments as they happen.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Aren't dogs wonderful ! What would we ever do with out them? Hope you feel better soon.

Yes they absolutely are the best. Thanks for the well wishes. I hope this passes quickly. I'm suppose to be flying to Paris for my long postponed honeymoon in just two weeks! I can't stay sick.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Wow, Nik. Now you know that you've found the dog that's attuned to you and your needs. That's just perfect. I know that I'm prejudiced, but I say it's the boxer in her. You know that my first boxer used to alert my older daughter's low blood sugars. My younger daughter, also diabetic, just brought home a boxer boy that she plans to train as her diabetic alert dog. She has hypoglycemic unawareness. I hope that her dog ends up being as in tune with her as Kahlua is with you. Now ... is it maybe time to start working toward a CGC? Not that you need to do it, but it might not be a bad idea. I really hope you feel better soon.

She really is super in tune with me. Amazing little pup I have. I would like to CGC with both her and Diesel. Diesel is very close but he still struggles with wanting to greet strangers and other dogs rather than sitting and waiting. He has gotten a lot better about it but isn't full proof yet. He also struggles with "come around". I don't know why that command gives him trouble or if he just doesn't like it but he has the rest down so we aren't far off.

Kahlua hasn't had any formal classes like Diesel did but we have been putting her through all the training on our own. Her biggest challenge will be the wheel chair/cane noises (she doesn't like mechanical type noises at all) and being able to hand her off to a stranger. She doesn't like to be too close to strangers. She is fine as long as she has a certain amount of space from them but she often doesn't want them to approach her. I met another boxer (pure bred) while out and about that was the same way. We greeted the owners (Kahlua was at home we were doing our grocery shopping) and asked them age and my husband asked if he could pet their dog and they said that their boxer didn't trust strangers and when we got a certain distance close to them (not too terribly close just talking distance) their boxer turned its back on us and hid its head in the owners lap. Kahlua isn't usually that dramatic with strangers but we told them not to worry that our Kahlua also didn't care to be approached by strangers so we completely understood. In any case she has a few specific things that need some serious work and a little aging to do first I think.

But, yes the goal is to eventually have both CGCs. :)
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Good dog, Kahlua!
If only they could talk... good thing you were back where you needed to be when the attack hit!!

Feel better soon. <3
I often wish I could speak their language better than I do. Diesel certainly always has a lot to tell me. I just don't always understand it. And now Kahlua as well. But that whine and persistent paw tapping was pretty distinct. She has never done it before so hopefully that is her "warning" move and I can just learn to always recognize that for what it is. :)
 

dpenning

Well-Known Member
That is awesome, glad it worked out! Did you ever find out what you have to do to get her certified as a service animal beyond CGC?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Hector

Well-Known Member
Thanks Hector! I had been planning to make Diesel my medical alert dog as he is pretty well in tune with me and has been able to notice pre-attack before. But, with Diesel he is so protective that if there is a distraction like loud neighbors or someone on the property then he is fully focused on what he sees as a potential outside threat. He will stand down when we tell him safe but he won't move off that high alert. He stays super focused even if he is lying obediently in his place.

Kahlua, will get protective as well but she isn't on constant alert in the same way. She is more or less constantly focused on me (aside from when playing with Diesel). A loud noise or someone coming to the door will have her boom her deep threatening bark a couple times and then she will stiffen into alert until we release her "safe". But, she is more focused on me, my mood, how I feel etc then anything else. So could be she would be better suited to the medical alert job. They are both so young still that I am mainly focused on getting them bomb proof with obedience and encouraging any good behaviors that develop naturally (like medical alert behaviors).

I really do have two amazing dogs on my hands and it is extremely cool to work with them and experience all the developments as they happen.
Kahlua is a better fit. Diesel gets distracted and does his own thing, but Kahlua was persistent and dedicated in getting your attention.
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Glad to hear that Kalua was there to help you, Nik. I never get over how intelligent and loving these dogs are. She's the best nurse you'll ever have!
I do hope you are up for your honeymoon, especially, PARIS. The city of love/lights. It will draw you back again and again.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
That is awesome, glad it worked out! Did you ever find out what you have to do to get her certified as a service animal beyond CGC?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

There isn't really any licensing or certification for a service dog in the US. The certificates and such that you find online don't mean anything because anyone can buy them and they are abused quite often by people that just want to take their dog everywhere with them. We've done quite a lot of research into this since there aren't any organizations local (or really anywhere) for training diabetic alert dogs. It's not like other service dogs. The dog must be an alerter and not all dogs are or can be. That's why what Kahlua did is so perfect for Nik. It means she can alert as well as respond. People also get confused and think an ESA dog has the same rights as a service dog, but they don't. Right now we're puppy training, so we have to ask each business if they will allow a service dog in training in the store. They have every right to say no. Here's a website that has excellent information for anyone interested.

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/281
http://servicedogcentral.org/content/owner-training-tips

Nik, I think you are thinking of the training necessary for a therapy dog, not the CGC. Here's a link to what's required for CGC. Not that it wouldn't be a great idea to make Kahlua bulletproof around things like wheelchairs, but it's not necessary to pass the CGC.

http://www.akc.org/cgc-pledge/
 

dpenning

Well-Known Member
There isn't really any licensing or certification for a service dog in the US. The certificates and such that you find online don't mean anything because anyone can buy them and they are abused quite often by people that just want to take their dog everywhere with them. We've done quite a lot of research into this since there aren't any organizations local (or really anywhere) for training diabetic alert dogs. It's not like other service dogs. The dog must be an alerter and not all dogs are or can be. That's why what Kahlua did is so perfect for Nik. It means she can alert as well as respond. People also get confused and think an ESA dog has the same rights as a service dog, but they don't. Right now we're puppy training, so we have to ask each business if they will allow a service dog in training in the store. They have every right to say no. Here's a website that has excellent information for anyone interested.

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/281
http://servicedogcentral.org/content/owner-training-tips

Nik, I think you are thinking of the training necessary for a therapy dog, not the CGC. Here's a link to what's required for CGC. Not that it wouldn't be a great idea to make Kahlua bulletproof around things like wheelchairs, but it's not necessary to pass the CGC.

http://www.akc.org/cgc-pledge/

Interesting, thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

dpenning

Well-Known Member
There isn't really any licensing or certification for a service dog in the US. The certificates and such that you find online don't mean anything because anyone can buy them and they are abused quite often by people that just want to take their dog everywhere with them. We've done quite a lot of research into this since there aren't any organizations local (or really anywhere) for training diabetic alert dogs. It's not like other service dogs. The dog must be an alerter and not all dogs are or can be. That's why what Kahlua did is so perfect for Nik. It means she can alert as well as respond. People also get confused and think an ESA dog has the same rights as a service dog, but they don't. Right now we're puppy training, so we have to ask each business if they will allow a service dog in training in the store. They have every right to say no. Here's a website that has excellent information for anyone interested.

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/281
http://servicedogcentral.org/content/owner-training-tips

Nik, I think you are thinking of the training necessary for a therapy dog, not the CGC. Here's a link to what's required for CGC. Not that it wouldn't be a great idea to make Kahlua bulletproof around things like wheelchairs, but it's not necessary to pass the CGC.

http://www.akc.org/cgc-pledge/

Interesting, thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

lexinrose

Well-Known Member
I've followed your story from when you first got her. From the beginning I've liked her. What a good dog you have. So happy it didn't turn out worse for you than it did.

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Nik

Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone! Yes she is a very very good girl! And I am almost all recovered from my illness. I still have the lingering cough and sore throat but overall I am doing worlds better and I noticed the healthier I get the more my Kahlua is willing and wanting to venture out from me to play with her brother. Today they had a great long game of keep away with a football in the backyard before she was came back to check on me. It's the first time she has been willing to leave my side or to play since I got sick so I am taking it as a sure sign that I am well on the road to recovery. Dr. Kahlua has signed off on my health. :-D