The fear and horror of your dog not being there

Tonight Bill's friend Viki took Winston into the basement with her, seconds before I needed him to come help me. After calling two or three time's I realized it was Winston and not one of our other dogs that she had taken down, shutting the door behind her. I called my mom for a good three minutes before Liberty (who was crated) began barking and causing a rukus downstairs. I guess that got my moms attention and then she came upstairs to see what I was yelling about. My mom acted like I wanted her to put a movie in or something so unimportant. She laughed and said "He's outside I think" Rolling her eyes as if to say "What's the big deal?" He came trotting into my room and waited to help me sit up straight. My mom came in and asked if I needed her help, I spatted off "No, Winston can do it." and off she went. Minutes later I heard everyone looking for Harley outside because when Viki let him and Winston out, she didn't "know" the gate was open! I guess this was my last straw because I just really went into a panic attack. I need Winston. I thought they all understood what that meant, but apparently not. I'm going to have to sit down with all of his friends and put everything on the table for them. There will not be anymore interactions without my permission. Not a pat on the head, let alone letting him go on another floor of the house or outdoors. I was so upset. I talked to Roseanne about it because I was afraid that I was over reacting.
"Why would this person take Winston without asking your permission? I thought Bill had left? No, you would not be out of line at all to tell them to leave your dog alone. You needed him & he wasn't there -- what if you'd needed him for something life threatening. Maybe the person meant well in letting them out but Winston isn't just a dog, he's your service dog & only you decide what he does. Oh, Linzey, I can't get into that with you. But that person was way out of line -- way out of line. You really need to tell them they can be with the other dogs but not Winston. He is YOURS. I don't want to create a problem, but Winston is not a pet to be handled by anyone who comes in the door. He has a special job to do & is worth a lot in both $$$ & ability. Someone's carelessness could cause you serious problems & heartache -- they don't realize what a service dog means to its partner."
I talked to her and my Christina for a good 15/30 minutes and can not calm down still so i'm going to go work with Winnie for a little.

A Glimpse of how it will be for my internship!

Yesterday I spent a good part of the day at the Susquehanna Service Dogs kennel. They successfully pegged my wheelchair which I must say is courtesy of Old Man Mike's suggestion combined with the fair weather toolwoman trainer, Karen's ability to peg wheelchairs in a secure manor. It was quite the chaotic mess getting situated, with SSD Maddie, SSD Gideon, SSD William (winnie's dad!), SSD Walter, SSD Nettie was working in the office, plus one gorgeous persian cat that until it jumped onto my lab to eat my treats, made me think my cats were HORRIBLY untrained! Walter's partner was separating aluminum tabs from metal ones, and everyone else (Cindy and Nancy, Laurie was there too!) was working. I got some material to begin reading and went on my way. Winston went right into working mode once pegged to my wheelchair. It was amazing to see how much it helps to have a firm hold on him! On the way out I went through stones which I have driven through many times before in my old wheelchair...well...that was the worst move...ever. My top of the line wheelchair got so incredibly stuck in the stones that it took Laurie, Cindy, Amy (my nurse), karen and Nancy to get me out. Oh, did I mention it was pouring down rain?

*Pictures of SSD Maddie and Gideon taken from SSDCubby.com