Oh, technicolor - what a story! I can imagine feeling that you could never fully accept another dog after the tragic events with Chase. But life has a way of putting what we need within reach when we may not even be aware we are ready or even in need. Sounds to me like you have 2 angels in your life - Maggie and your trainer! Thank you so much for sharing.

What a beautiful story. Thank you.

Technicolor, I'm sorry for your loss of Chase. We have two Blue Heelers and they are such sweethearts - well, most of the time. I think that you will find that they are extremely intelligent. Maybe they should be called "healers" instead of "heelers". We had a Heeler prior to these two, as well as many different breeds over the years, and once you have allowed a Heeler in your home, you will always want one around. A little levity - Emma, our indoor female cat, has named them "those heathen boys" when they invade her territory...LOL

Let Chase be the angel watching over you and Maggie.

Thank you for such a heart touching story. sympathy for your loss of chance. Isn't amazing how brave dogs are when going thru these things.
You are an angel too for sharing the joy your dogs bring to others in your therapy program.

I was hesitant to share this story. But remembered those who were so responsive to me. And here you are again. Thank you.

GMATX...A heeler is new to me, haven't even known anyone who owned one. I know little about them other than reading. Nice of you to tell me a bit about the breed. And nice you have two, I know Maggie would love a playmate, she enjoys other dogs being around. You are right about being smart. Has commands down so well in such a short time, she is ahead of me on hand signals. Although she can also have her own agenda and can be a bit stubborn during normal times.

A "healer"? I so hope she is, doesn't leave my side, is so gentle and kind. My dogs have always been 2 - 3 times her size, is interesting having a smaller one, much easier for me to handle. And little grooming needed. There are two cats here, yes she can be overjoyed having them around. I really think she wants to play, but they are kings of the castle and will have none of it.

A legacy of love lives on....

What a touching story!!!

What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing Maggie with us.

What a beautiful story, Technicolor! Thank you for sharing it with us. It touched my heart deeply, as I love dogs. I can't imagine my life with out them . I'm so sorry about the loss of your wonderful Chase. What a special guy he was. I'm happy you now have Maggie and that she has you. I think you were meant for each other. Perhaps you are both the angels each other needed in your lives. I'd like to think so.
Lynn

What a pretty dog and the program you are involved in sound so cool. I wish you and your new friend the best!

Oh no, I am so sorry. I had wondered what had happened.I hope you and Maggie have many great adventures on the way to becoming a therapy dog. blessings and light

da*n onions around here...

That is a great story!

Faron

Truly Love on a Leash!

Thank you for sharing! I wish you and Maggie the best, she is adorable. I'm with Faron...tears.

Beth P.

What a wonderful adventure ahead of you. For you and for Maggie.

We raised our kids with a red heeler and now have a blue heeler. I was recently getting some medical care when therapy dogs came in, and one of the handlers told me that the therapy dog group has several heelers. She said they function very well as therapy dogs. It's something I'd love to try with my blue heeler - I think she would do very well as a therapy dog as she is very loving to people outside the family, which (in my experience) isn't always the case for a heeler.

Heelers are wonderful, amazing dogs for the right owner and I think you will love your Maggie. I agree with gmatx that from now on you will always want a heeler around. They are very smart, very trainable, and must have a job to do. These dogs were born to work and to be helpful, and they do it very well.

Our heelers have been very smart, very trainable, stubborn and sometimes with their own agenda as you say, vigilant and interested in everything about them, and to say they are loyal and devoted is a big understatement. They stick to us like glue and want to "help" with everything we do.

When my son was in elementary school, our red heeler was "his" dog officially. We had never owned a heeler and didn't realize the extent of the devotion this breed has. We had to get booties for the dog because he would run alongside my son's bike until his paws were bloody and still keep going even then. We had to get a life preserver for him because he would stay out in the lake or ocean with my son until he (the dog) couldn't swim any longer and was in danger of drowning. Until we got the canine life preserver, one of us had to sit on the beach with the dog when he got tired and keep him from going out into the ocean with the rest of the family.

Our precious red heeler that grew up with our kids was up for any adventure - kayaking, canoeing, sailing, swimming, frisbee, hiking, comfortable in crowds at fairs, flea markets, playgrounds, outdoor concerts. He wanted to do anything my son did, and one time he followed my son up a high dive and jumped in the lake off the high dive. Our beautiful blue heeler girl is shaping up to be the same way.

Our male heeler only tolerated people who weren't family members or close friends. He didn't care whether other people petted him or noticed him or not. Our female heeler likes people outside the family.

I wish you the best with your heeler. You and Maggie have a lot of lovely adventures ahead of you!

After I posted, I thought a bit more and thought I might pass on a warning.

My red heeler would fearlessly herd anything, and that includes chain saws and weed eaters. And he could open our gates (until we put a lock on them). My blue I have now is not quite as intrepid, but not far from it. We put ours up in a very secure place when any kind of machinery is going that might hurt her. Just putting our red behind a closed gate was not enough. He would get a running start and blow through an electric fence. He once jumped through the closed glass window. And kept going.

My best to you and Maggie as you do your Therapy Dog training. What a wonderful cause!

Daisy..Thank you. Much of what you mentioned is being seen with Maggie. But she loves everything and anything with kindness. Dogs, people, children are all friends. The first week I got her though, it took me 3 days to dig a ditch under the back gate and put bricks in so she couldn't dig out. Plus I put a heavy spring on the front porch gate with latch. She has created a racing path in the yard for energy runs. I don't think she has the brazen interest in going through a window...the very thought of this being a possibility is frightening for vulnerability to her and the outside world. They do want to be everywhere though. And yes there is no fear of noise or clatter at all. A good 90% of her is positive for a Therapy Dog...with significant training. Perhaps whatever her mix is has some genes to balance some of the full bred heeler instincts. One of our commands is Leave It. I can put a treat on top of her paw or throw it anywhere near her and she will leave it for as long as my alpha agrees. Major step in our training...proud mom.

After basic training I would welcome writing a bit about our adventures in the Therapy Dog Program if there is interest. Many of you have mentioned my being wonderful about working in this program. Reality is the program has given far more back to me personally with wonderful and unique experiences not expected. And a dog with a job is a happy dog.

I hope any one of you might meet a team one day. They will love you as much as you will them. And you will find teams in the most unexpected places, used for a wide range of "therapy" environments.

Appreciation for a place at GW to heal and grow through sharing. Quick add on...I am 72, we are never too old. May tell you differently at 82 though.