We made it through November, celebrating Hazel's third birthday in the process!
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| Hazel and her birthday bandanna getting ready for work! |
JJ has been struggling to bounce back from his regression during our move and he still has a way to go before he's back to where he was. It's been really hard because we're all doing the best we can, including him, but somedays it just feels like he'll ever bounce back. We're so grateful for Hazel because she meets him where he is. Hazel doesn't care if he's regressed. She doesn't want to rush him to progress and regain his skills. She just loves and accepts him, even on the hard days when he's screaming in her ear or throwing himself on the ground, she'll still be by his side and will still be a comfort to him through anything. That kind of unconditional acceptance can only come from a dog and she is a master at it!
We'll be doing our first major trip with Hazel in a little while. We'll be heading home to Canada and I know it will be a vastly different experience than the last time we went home. We last traveled to Canada in the summer of 2010 and JJ was not yet diagnosed. It was probably the most difficult trip we have ever taken. Between his first elopement experience (3 houses down from my dad's before we even knew he was gone) and the constant vigilance while at the lake (water) and visiting with Lorna (backyard pool = water), it was not a dull trip by any stretch of the imagination.
I know Hazel will make a huge impact on our trip this time. I look forward to seeing how JJ handles the changes with his best friend by his side.
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| JJ chilling with Hazel during the hour long wait to apply for their passports for our trip. |
