Our Service Dog Buddy

We just got a service dog for Blake yesterday. His name is Buddy. He is a 1 1/2 year old black lab. He is relatively calm with a good disposition, house (potty) trained, does really well with children, never has chewed up anything, and listens to simple commands like sit, lay down and fetch. Buddy will be trained to keep Blake safe - basically to keep Blake from continually running away. My greatest fear is that one day Blake will escape and either we won't ever find him or he will be found dead. (Blake has no fear - he darts in fronts of cars, jumps off of the roof of a tall jungle gym, etc.)

I have to be honest - I am not an animal person. I do not love animals or even really like them. I don't mind an occasional trip to the zoo but to have our own pet is liking having another child to me. (4 children is enough. Blake is like 3 children all by himself.) I definitely do not like the idea of an indoor dog but Buddy must be with Blake at all times for his protection.

It is almost comical because since we got Buddy, he keeps coming up to me and licking me. I guess he is trying to get me to like him. I seem to have this animal to human attraction. I will do visits and it is like the dogs and cats have a sixth sense. They will come up to me, want me to pet them, cats love to walk their bodies across my legs, etc.

Buddy goes to the Trainer today. Training takes about 9 months to be a service dog. Buddy will come and visit every now and then until he is fully trained. My kids are so happy to have a dog. They love Buddy. Blake is even starting to like him. He is petting Buddy and trying to ride him like a horse. Buddy hasn't barked or tried to bite Blake once. He just takes the punishment.

Am I happy we have a dog? Not really. Will I do anything to protect my child? Yes, even if it means making a dog part of our family.