Lighthouse Beams

In January we contacted a group in Arkansas about getting a service dog for our Epilepsy/Autistic son.  They were excited about being contacted about it but this was new to them and they hadn’t done anything in this area.  They also told us that it would cost us around $20,000 to get it and train it to him.  The money was a big factor in us deciding that we just couldn’t swing it and left it in God’s hands.

Last Sunday afternoon we can an awesome call from the head of the group.  They had been doing some research and had a dog show up that would match with Milton and what we needed.  The group is made up of all handicapped people and they actually train the dogs to be service dogs.  They had made several calls and got it where we could join a group locally that was just beginning to train on Tuesday evening.  The amazing thing was that they got the fees all slashed and can actually afford paying for them.

Monday evening at 6:30 we got the call telling us that the Saint Bernard that we were supposed to be getting on Tuesday had been picked up from its original owners.  I must say we were all broken and not for sure what our next move would be.  We had been to pick out a name and the family chose Gracie (answer to prayer) Hope (that she would be the answer for Milton).  The director told us to hold on that they would fine us a dog and until then to go ahead and come to the class and use one of their dogs to get used to what was going on.

We attended class and the more we heard and saw the more we knew God would answer this prayer in His time and in His way.

Wednesday they located us a beautiful Great Pyrenees.  But due to the owner wanting her to be treated “better” than human beings and asking for things we couldn’t do, we turned it down Thursday.  Again, we felt a little low but knew God would give us the best for Milton!

Friday morning we were put into contact with another Great Pyrenees and Friday afternoon the arrangements were made and the excitement grew.

Yesterday, Saturday, we welcome our newest member of the family, Suzy, a beautiful; gentle; loving Great Pyrenees.  Milton has been scared of dogs but when we went to AR to pick her up he put his little hand out to her for her to smell and the bond between them was instant.  Suzy was scared to go and down the stairs in our house and out into the backyard but Milton was able to get that taken care of.  He took her to his room and showed her her bed and his.  He can hardly be pulled away from her.

So now what? Michael is taking this next week off so that we can bond and start this long journey together as a family. Last Tuesday they taught us how to teach our dogs to sit, now we have to catch up and also teach her what we learn on Tuesday evening this week.

We are excited, scared and have high hopes but we know that God made this possible for us and gave us the dog He WANTED us to have.  Now to do the leg work and help Suzy learn what she needs to know so she can help Milton.

Thank you Lord for another answer to prayer and blessing us with the help that will help Milton!

Come and following an amazing journey with our blessing sent to us through the crew at Solutions for People Created with Animals.

hsmom3

I'm the wife of my best friend that God gave to me over 20+ years ago. We have been blessed with 3 children, James (by adoption); Abigail & Milton (special needs child) and our service dog, Suzy. I have been blessed to be able to homeschool since 1997 and be the co-director with my husband, Michael, of the state wide Christian homeschool organization, MATCH since 1999. God has blessed us abundantly.