Finances/My service dog

[Sheenar]

Hey guys. I know I haven't been around in a while, but I still think of you all and I hope y'all are doing well.

I have a couple of prayer requests.

The first is for my financial situation. Sub work has been very slow (I am a substitute teacher) and I've only had 2 jobs since the kids went back to school last week --it should hopefully pick up soon --it is just frustrating when I don't get calls to work.
Also, my food stamps were recently reduced down to $16/month because I "make too much" as a sub (though not enough to buy groceries --I have food allergies and have to look at ingredients before I buy anything) --they don't count all of my medical expenses nor the expense of car payments/insurance. I know God will provide --He always does. And I still freak out every time.

Also, please be in prayer for my service dog Pebbles. She is from the organization in my signature and helps me keep my balance when I walk (as well as retrieving items off the ground for me --down to a dime off a tile floor).
Anyways, she is about to turn 7 on the 23rd of this month. She had an injury at the beginning of the summer last year and now has osteoarthritis and mild hip displasia in her left hip (the type of work she does can be hard on the joints). She is currently on medication and joint supplements and they seem to be helping --though the medication (Rimadyl) is starting to have an effect on her kidneys (levels are only slightly off). She is still working very well and is still enthusiastic --she's still ready to go and stands by the door after her harness is put on. She is just a little stiff (especially since this cold front came through) and she can't load into high vehicles anymore without a ramp (my little car, she has no trouble with).
I am going to ask our vet about other treatment options for her arthritis. I am considering trying acupuncture (depending on cost and the funds in her medical account). It's just hard because I am currently struggling financially and I feel so inadequate. She does so much for me and I can't make it all go away.
She is getting closer to retirement. I am hoping that she will be able to work for another year. We are taking it one day at a time, though. As long as her good days outnumber the bad ones and she still wants to work, I'll let her work.
Thank you all for your prayers.

[Tsukuyomi]

*Hugs* WElcome back Seenar ^__^ I'll be praying for all situations ^__^

Hang in there and things will work out accordingly ^__^ Keep us updated ^^?

[Sheenar]

I have decided to begin the retirement process for Pebbles. She will be weaned off work gradually (meaning that I gradually decrease the days that she works). Her body just won't be up to it for much longer.
Please pray for this process. I am grieving right now--I will have to find another home for her (I cannot physically care for 2 dogs). She is my best friend and it's difficult to watch her struggle --her joints are giving out, but her mind is still sharp and she wants to work.
Pray that a suitable home can be found and that the transition will go smoothly.
I am currently searching for where to get her successor from (the next service dog that I will be partnered with). My physical abilities have changed and I am not sure if I am up to a trip to PA to the school Pebbles is from. I have a friend who trains service dogs in the Houston area and I am waiting to hear back from her to see if she possibly has a good candidate for me.

Thank you all for your prayers.

[Mithrandir]

Oh wow. You are in our prayers, Sheenar. It's always tough to love a friend; even if they're only moving away.

[Sheenar]

I'm going to be filling out the application for Pebbles' successor soon and Pebbles will keep working until I am matched with another dog. Then I will begin weaning her off work and starting the formal retirement process.

This is hard.

[Sheenar]

My supervisor from my old job on campus said that she would like to give Pebbles a home when she retires. That is an answer to prayer and I know she will take very good care of her (and probably spoil her terribly). She just has to be approved by CPL.
Still waiting on a letter from her vet to send with my application for her successor. Please continue to keep our situation in your prayers.

In other news, I got my paycheck from subbing today and it was more than I expected --I'll definitely make all my bills in February. Praise God.

[Mithrandir]

Wonderful news, and an answer to prayer! We rejoice with you.

[Doubleshadow]

Praying for you, sis.

[Radical Dreamer]

Definitely praying that this will be a smooth transition for you and Pebbles both! Praise the Lord for your financial situation, though!

[Tsukuyomi]

Great news \(^__^)/

I'll continue to pray that all continues to go well

[Sheenar]

I'm starting to have second thoughts about finding a new home for Pebbles. She has faithfully been my helper for 3 1/2 years and I don't know if I can deal with it.
If I do decide to keep her, I will have to move (only allowed 2 pets and one service dog in my current housing) and I'm not sure how I would make it work financially. Sub work is just not steady/stable enough to be reliable. Unless I find a full-time job in the next 2-3 months, I won't be able to care for 2 dogs financially and pay higher rent (I am currently in HUD housing and the rent is pretty low --I can't really afford anything higher at this time). I would have to ask, but I don't think the Housing Authority would allow me to keep her once she retires unless I find new homes for my 2 cats. I have a couple of potential good homes in the works for Pebbles currently. Will have to wait and see where the Lord leads. I know He will take care of everything and help me to make the right choice. Please keep praying for this situation.

In other news, I have found a potential successor for Pebbles. A friend of mine trains service dogs (she is the head trainer for an organization in Houston). She emailed me a couple of days ago saying that she has a potential candidate. He is the son of her Standard Poodle (a handsome piece of dog that I met at a show not too long ago) --he is a Labradoodle named Handsome. 6 months old, great temperament, already retrieving readily. His coat is more poodle-like, so less shedding than my Lab.
I'm going to go meet him this coming weekend (waiting to hear from the breeder to see what time/day works best). I really hope this one works out.
Plusses of going with my friend's organization: Free grooming for the life of the dog, a trainer less than 2 hours away by car, and I get to participate in the dog's training under her guidance.
I feel bad for not going back to Pebbles' program. But this is too good of an opportunity to pass up. I am still going to keep them in mind, though --just in case this doesn't work out. Please be in prayer for this as well.

I know this is long, but one more quick related request. My friend who trains service dogs has a service dog herself --a Doberman named Book. When I talked to her on the phone Monday, she told me that Book has a tumor on his leg and will need expensive surgery to remove it for testing. She is pretty shaken up. She is not a believer (not that I know of). Please be in prayer for her, Book, and for the finances for his surgery.

Thank you.

[Mithrandir]

Will do!

[Tsukuyomi]

I'll continue to pray that all to work out ^__^ Tell us how the meeting with Handsome goes ^__^

Poor Book, I'll pray that he makes a full recovery from the surgery and all goes well with that ^^

[Sheenar]

I went down to meet Handsome on Sunday and it went really well. We had two candidates: Handsome and his sister Atty. I decided (along with my friend the service dog trainer) to choose Handsome for our service dog in training --he is substantial in body, has a fantastic temperament, and smart --he will make a great mobility dog.

I recently got a pretty good-sized refund from the university, so I put it in my service dog fund (the same one that paid for Pebbles' vet bills after her injury last year). I have more than enough to purchase Handsome from the breeder and pay for food/supplies/a mobility harness.

Mailed off the letter from my vet recommending retirement for Pebbles. CPL is going to send me retirement papers sometime within the next month, most likely. I am still searching for the right home for Pebbles. Want to make the right choice.

[Tsukuyomi]

Great to hear that about Handsome ^^ He sounds like a sweetheart ^__^

Just take your time in decided I'll continue to pray that all works out

[Roy Mustang]

I hope things go well and I hope that Pebbles will enjoy retirement.

[font="Book Antiqua"][color="Red"]Col. Roy Mustang[/color][/font]

[Sheenar]

Gave my old supervisor the Released Dog Application from CPL today. After she turns that in, is interviewed by the trainers and approved, and after I fill out Pebbles' retirement papers, Pebbles will be going to live with her.

This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I am losing my partner and best friend. Also, it will be a good while until her successor is fully trained and ready, so I'm sure to need some extra help for a while --it's hard to depend on a dog to pick up things off the floor and help with other every day things and then lose her to retirement. I'll have to use my walker and grabber stick until Handsome finishes his training. My health has been off and on lately, so not having Pebbles around to help is going to be difficult.

[acgifford]

I'll pray for you.

[Tsukuyomi]

*Hugs* Hang in there, Sheenar ^^ I'll continue to pray that all works out ^^

[Doubleshadow]

Still praying for you.

DS

[Makachop^^128]

Will be praying ^^

[TGJesusfreak]

Will be praying ^^

[SailorDove]

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for helping Sheenar find a retirement home for Pebbles as well as a replacement dog for her. As well as helping her with her finances.

We agree in prayer for healing for both Pebbles & Book. If any nutritional ways can be used to not only help with pain, but to heal each of the dogs conditions completely. Please help both owners with the medical cost of both their dear friends.

We also raise up our sister, Sheenar's health and finances to be blessed by you. And we pray for Milissa's salvation as well. Thank you Lord.

In your name Jesus we pray,
Amen

[Sheenar]

Thank you SailorDove, but I was asking for prayer for Milissa's salvation --Book is her service dog.

Things are going well. Still waiting to hear back from the woman who expressed interest in adopting Pebbles. Kind of at a standstill until then.

Currently trying to find an on-campus job. Still substitute teaching until I find one.

Thank you all for your prayers. I really appreciate it.

[Sheenar]

Pebbles is going back to Texas A&M on the 22nd to see the orthopedic specialist (the one who diagnosed her hip problems) to get a second opinion and see if she recommends retirement as well.

Please also pray for safety driving this coming week --I am going as an adult chaperone with the youth group on a spring break trip --and our destination is about a 4 hour drive away. We will make frequent stops, but prayer is appreciated (never made such a long drive before).

Trying to figure out arrangements for a wheelchair/scooter for two of the days during the trip --are going to the zoo and a local theme park in the area. Prices for renting are astronomical $65 for an electric scooter at the theme park and $50 for a manual wheelchair. Going to try to borrow a chair from my church for the trip --not sure how that will work in my trunk with the luggage...

[acgifford]

I'll pray for you.

[Tsukuyomi]

*Hugs* Have lots of fun and be safe ^^ I'll be praying as well