Detour keeps watch over his boy...

Thor is still sick and Detour is still working hard to make him feel better...

We're off to the doctor yet again to see about these ongoing health issues. It's frustrating for him and for me...despite a healthy diet, multi vitamins, and lots of sleep, Thor continues to not be able to fight off whatever it is he has right now.

He misses his routine: preschool, therapy, playing outside.

Hoping that the doctor can give us some insight into what is going on and the power of medicine and Dr. Detour will heal my boy up for Halloween. This is the first year he's aware of and excited about dressing up. He's not too sure about the whole trick-or-treat thing but we'll see how that goes. The biggest thing for him is that he gets to dress up for preschool... IF he's well enough to go.

So - please send healing thoughts to Thor. In the meantime, Detour will keep watch over his boy.

PS. If you look really close you can see the corner of that stool is chewed. I'd like to say that Detour is a dog, not a robot. He makes poor decisions sometimes and that was one of them. Thankfully, his poor decisions are only at home when he's off-duty. Silly pup.

Always be my friend...

Detour's knee seems to be all better and we are slowly integrating him back to working his job full time. Thank you to everyone for your messages and well wishes, it looks like he won't need surgery!

Detour took Thor to the doctor last week when Thor was sick with fever & bad cough...just a cold but we like to be sure since Thor struggles to express how he is feeling and he could have more serious issues without us knowing.

Thor's doctor (who prescribed a service dog - a medical prescription is necessary) was blown away by the changes in Thor since getting his service dog. Thor was talkative and even asked the doctor for a hug. Something he wouldn't have done Pre-Detour.

This week, everyone seems to have gotten healthy (minus the usual fall/winter sniffles) and life is getting back to our version of normal.

Detour has been helping Thor with better balance while walking (by holding the handle on his harness) which has made his walking more stable and his falling much less - without Detour's assistance, Thor seems to trip on air. He still does, but he has extra stability to catch himself when he stumbles.

These two really love each other and the other day Thor said to me, "Detour will always be my friend." - it was such an innocent and sincere statement that it brought tears to my eyes. Yes, Detour will always be his friend - always there and never judging him for things other may deem different.

I am so proud of Thor and how much he has blossomed since getting his guardian angel...

Doctor's Orders

A couple of days ago Detour developed a light limp which slowly has grown into a very big limp in his hind leg. My instant fear was hip dysplasia which would retire him as a service dog forever.

Today we saw Dr. M - the "dog doctor" as Thor calls her - and she gave me goods news and bad news.

The good news? Not hip dysplasia.

Detour laying in my office beside me - in lots of pain and just trying to rest.

The bad news? He has a torn ACL in his right rear knee. Dr. M is hopeful that because he is putting light pressure on it, the tear is minor and will heal with strict rest and pain meds for 2 weeks. So we're home now following her orders hoping it will heal. In 2 weeks we will go back for a check up - if it's not healed he will need surgery which will cost thousands and include several months of recovery time.

As it stands now, Detour is not allowed to play ball, run, be off leash outside (not even for potty breaks), or jump on or off anything.

He is not allowed to do his job. 

Both Detour and Thor are going to be miserable with this arrangement, but there are things in life we need to do and they just plain suck. This would be one of those times.

Detour's new tag that came in the mail yesterday.
The puzzle piece for Autism, and the heart for his love
for Thor and our love for him.

I feel like one of my children is hurt and I am nursing him back to health. You know how when a child is hurt or sick, they want their mommy? Well Detour is stuck to me like glue - he spends his time curled up next to me or under my desk with his head in my lap. I feel bad that I can't ease his pain, but I'm hoping the first dose of pain meds I just gave him will help a little and he can get some pain-free rest today.

Please, send your prayers & love Detour's way -- this is a devastating blow to our family...Detour is like another child to us and a brother & best friend for Thor. He has made Thor's life happier and safer and now he is in terrible pain.

We need for him to get better.

Happily Ever After

We've been home for 12 days now and everything is going great...Detour & Thor are continuing to strengthen their bond. Detour is alert and ready to track any time his boy gets up to go anywhere...especially if we are out in the yard and Thor is pretending near the gate.

The three of us go on daily walks, which both of the boys really love.

We play in the yard whenever we can...

And of course, Detour gives Thor comfort after a hard day (or in the middle of one)...never one to judge, Detour is there to give his boy unconditional love. Thor has truly found his best friend and guardian angel.

Detour in full "work" gear.

I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am to everyone who supported us through the last 1 1/2 years while we worked towards getting Thor's service dog. It has been even more amazing than I could have ever imagined.

He is happier, calmer, and more playful when his dog is around. Detour also brings a sense of calm to me because when we go out I know Thor won't be disappearing anymore.

Thank you all so very much.

A Small Note: You might see us walking downtown or in the local shops...Detour is friendly and loves to be loved. But when we're in public it's very important I have his focus on his work. For this reason, please do not stop to pet him. Yes, there will be times I am in no rush and can stop to chat and at that point (if you ask first) I don't mind you giving him a little bit of love. But like anyone else, I too have to get in and out of the store in a hurry sometimes and just can't stop to chat. Thank you so much for your understanding.

Welcome Home, Detour!

I have to confess, blogging everyday during training was in my plans...but I didn't realize how tired I would be by the end of every day. Class from 9:30-4:30 every day (including 2 practice sessions of tracking Thor) then going back to the hotel to practice more obedience or work out in public with Detour. It doesn't sound too bad when you think about it, but trust me...it's exhausting.

Don't get me wrong though...it was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Detour really is a super-dog. He can track Thor anywhere and find him... each day we practiced with one adult (changed each time) walking off with Thor to hide. Then the person handling Detour would give him his "talk up" (get him excited to play the "tracking game") and off we would go - Detour is one strong dog so you really have to be ready for that yank when he gets to the end of the tracking leash!!

Detour in a "down" at the mall - strangers
could step over him and he didn't even flinch.
What a good boy!

He's amazing out in public - we've practiced tethering (Thor wears a belt that has a "leash" attached to Detour's harness) and it was the best thing since sliced bread. Thor tried many times to wander away because something caught his eye...Detour kept him where he needed to be. When I'm shopping and have to stop to look at something, or pay at the checkout, Detour lays down and acts like an anchor point. Thor can't move Detour and is made to stay within that 3 foot distance that his tether strap allows (the strap is adjustable, and I can make it bigger as Thor grows).


The flight home this weekend was pretty brutal - the first flight we boarded and waited about an hour before they asked us to get off the plan due to mechanical issues. Here we were stuck in the airport for a few more hours waiting for repairs. We missed our connecting flight in Minneapolis so they re-routed us. Instead of getting into Vancouver at 11am, it would be 3pm. Finally we get on the plane again and take off...mid flight they tell us we won't make it time for our connecting flight...again. So they re-route us....again. This time we will have a 6 hour layover and not make it to Vancouver until 7:30pm.

6 hour layover in Minneapolis. These two
were champs though!

...we arrive in Vancouver by 7:30 and wait for our bags. And wait...and wait...and no bags. The airline put us up at the Sheraton for our troubles and promised to deliver the bags as soon as they arrived. We got to the hotel at about 10pm and by this time still had no dinner. After a quick bite we all fell asleep for a few hours, waking up to a message that our bags were at the front desk. Only...it wasn't both bags. Just they boys' bag was there....mine was still lost. To make a really long story a little bit shorter...they didn't find my bag that day and we ended up leaving Vancouver at 4pm Sunday.

...we got home at 12:30am Monday. To say the least we were all very exhausted. Thankfully, my bag was found and flown to me at home.

Thor wanted to lay down with Detour,
so he made it more comfortable with blanket & pillow!

We've now been home a couple of days and Detour and Thor are settling in nicely. Detour follows him around everywhere and they love to snuggle up close and watch cartoons. Detour is loving his fenced yard where he can run and play without a leash...finally!! (he was always on a leash at the hotel outside)

Detour enjoying the freedom to run and play!
(don't mind the pile of toys, we have some construction
happening on the house and had to move things out of the way)

A special thanks to Caitie who fostered Detour when he was a puppy - helping him to learn his obedience and become the special guy he is today!

Caitie, Thor, & Detour at Graduation.

Mom, Thor, & Detour @ Graduation Day!
*Certified Service Dog Team*

Thank you all so much for supporting our journey to get Detour - he is a life saving & life-CHANGING miracle for Thor...he is already much calmer and happier around his dog. We could never have done this without all of you.