Update from Elaine 24. Lunar Sky has been in heaven for 12 years. I never got another service dog and am just applying now. My MS turned progressive and it has been one of life's many trials that, thanks to physical therapy, allows me to walk after the worst of the inflammation in my brain and spinal cord subsides.
Again, I urge you to donate here because the help of a service dog in healing, in adjusting to any disability and in helping others see that life with disability can be lived well if a furry companion is there to guide you and help you even if you drop a nickel or dime on the floor. The dog does not fuss about when the floor was last cleaned but I always wondered as a very attentive 'dog mom'.
When you donate, share your own story and experience with a dog or cat or any animal that helped you with life's many or few trials. I, of course wish you few trials as many can overwhelm.
So that is the latest from Elaine. I now have, for the past 11 years my Lady Roisin kitty who is part ragdoll and part smarty cat with a goofy side but only when she chooses to show you. Mind you, cat's are lovely and my sweetie is lovely, but dogs just give so freely and aren't we all grateful when they give freely and help a person who through no fault of their own needs help here and there from canine and human friends alike. I will share pictures of Lunar Sky Guy, my sweetest boy and Kitty (informally), and formally Lady R.
Thanks for your generosity, it will be rewarded in many millions of neurologically healthy smiles! I promise! Elaine
P.S. The pictures are on my thumb drives which are on a lariat of sorts that I cannot find at the moment...stay tuned for pictures.
The Tower of Hope funded my second service dog. Cathy answered my email as I searched for funding. The Tower of Hope is a foundation set up in memory of Cathy's late husband Tom who was brutally attacked like thousands of others on September 11, 2001 in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, New York. Cathy has funded many veterans and persons with disabilities over the last seven years. I later met Cathy when I was training with my late Service Dog, Lunar Sky at the ECAD campus on the grounds of Children's Village in Dobbs Ferry, NY. I believe The Tower of Hope has funded many ECAD service dogs after my introduction.
I urge you to donate to this charity and to attend their annual gala where some service dog owners are included in the festivities. It is my greatest regret that I could not attend the gala with my service dog Lunar Sky. He was with me a very short time before he suddenly developed mast cell cancer. Apparently, as I later found out, he had cancer in his genetic line. Sometimes mast cell tumor has a genetic source and sometimes not. I had nearly 5 wonderful and very healthy years with my dear service dog. I became very ill after he died only recovering about 10 months after the initial multiple sclerosis symptoms - that unmistakeable buzzing in the spine - took away my ability to walk in an acute attack. I am happy to say I gain most of the health I had before the attack as well as more inner strength! Cathy sent her condolences for the loss of Lunar Sky. The oncologists at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuft's University sent a round robin card of all the staff who cared for my service dog. Some day - I have applied to a small group in New Hampshire - another service dog will be by my side but I will never forget the generosity of The Tower of Hope towards me and many other deserving persons with injuries and disabilities. There are people in this world and then there are good people. The Tower of Hope and their leader and founder Cathy are very good folks!