My Able Dog.
My dog, Zachariah, has been paraplegic since a dog attack when he was but a few weeks old.
Let’s talk for a moment about abilities.
To begin with, Zack is unaware that there is any other way to do things than his. And, a far cry from a dog who lies in the corner, Zack can catch up to a dashing cat, and no matter how fast you walk across the room, he is right on your heels.
He can chase a ball, bounce it himself, and catch it on the first up-bounce when you throw it to him; run off with contraband so that you have to run to get it, and is in the middle of everything that goes on.
Obviously he doesn’t accomplish these tasks in the same way that other dogs do. He runs like a seal, using his very strong front end, for example, but he, and we, are used to it. Also, he wears diapers, but we don't think anything of it. In fact, I suspect that they make him faster, since it gives him a padded derrier!
Then, the other day, I was reading an article in the Reader’s Digest by Derek Burnett, about Kyle Maynard, and I was struck by something.
Kyle Maynard was born with part-length arms, and feet at his hips (you can read his wonderful story in the January, 2005 issue.) and the article told of his daily life.
He uses no prosthesis, yet is a prize winning school wrestler, played football when he was 11, eats with typical Western utensils in his own way, types 50 words a minutes, can climb stairs, multiple butterfly reps 240 lbs of weight, and once single repped 420 lbs. of weight, etc.
It seems that people are very interested in seeing him use a spoon, and he has done it for them, but they made a point of mentioning that it is as natural, and thought-free of a process for him, as the way that you use yours is for you. How would you feel if people came into your home, and wanted to watch you eat with a spoon?
In the article, his parents made the point that his differences, or how he accomplishes his normal, everyday tasks, doesn’t impress them much, though they are his best advocates, and that they impress his younger siblings even less.
As I read that last bit, it hit me. That’s the way it is with Zack, and us. We aren’t very impressed by his problems, because they don’t slow him down at all. It's just who he is. Some moments he's sweet and loving, the next he's being scolded for "treeing" one of the cats while he unrepentently smiles up at us.
He’s a perfectly normal dog who just happens not to have the use of his hind legs, and has adjusted accordingly.
He’s smart, funny, and a member of the family.
Naturally, we would like to see as much recovery as possible, but accept him as he is. Anything more would just be an amazing blessing.
His vet is pleased beyond belief at his overall progress, care, and attitude. Zack is a happy, joyful dog, and so far no one who has met him hasn’t enjoyed doing so. He seems to be a human magnet, and we have to be careful that he doesn’t get too many treats when he’s out! :)
Although, he almost ruined his Christmas photos by trying, during the whole shoot, to get into Santa’s lap! And, he's a good sized dog! :)
Zack has learned to open things fitted with a thong, such as drawers and cabinets; can untie shoes; has learned to pick things up, and to drop them; has learned the names of many items, etc.
Generally, dogs are treated like the old, or perhaps not so old-time horses that were shot when they became lame.
When a pup becomes a paraplegic, most of the time it’s thought that, "It’s a real shame, but…..” and they are euthanized.
I sometimes wonder how far reaching Zack’s differences might stretch.
At any time someone, perhaps not even someone that I know, or speak to, might be impressed with his happy outlook, the quality of his life, and his abilities; planting a seed somewhere in the back of their mind.
And then, one day, they may hear of, or see, a dog who is similarly disabled, and rather than shaking their heads and saying what a shame it is, they may tell whoever has the dog about Zack, or bring home such a dog themselves.
By Zack being Zack, and just being in the public eye, there is no telling how many dogs with mobility issues might have a better, longer life for someone having seen him days, months, or even years before that day.
Someone may realize that there are options, and that euthanasia is not unavoidable.
Too, in some small way, he may mirror humans with disabilities. Perhaps seeing how able he is without the use of his hind legs might make someone stop, and think about a person with a disability that they know, or have just seen, and allow them to imagine, if even for a moment, how able they may be, and how doing things differently doesn’t make a person different in the ways that count.
I could be wrong in my way of thinking, I suppose, but thus far Zack has made a big impression on those he’s met, and it’s been a very positive impression. People are curious, you can see their minds working as they watch him, and physically interact with him. We always take the time to talk to them, & it's very rewarding.
We owe it to Zack to let him become the best dog that he can be. I’m not ashamed of him in any way, and ignore the people that, sight unseen, think that he should be hidden away at home. (He uses a cart, most of the time, when we aren't home, btw.) It would be like having a similar human child, and not wanting to take them out. Phooey.
When I watch Zack line up his toys, just so; see him turn his bright, expectant eyes to me when he wants to play ball, or go for a walk on our country road; listen to him bark at a strange car that stopped in front of the house, or have him chase after our son because he holds a treat, I know that this is the dog that I'd choose out of a whole kennelful. That we are being able to give him the opportunity to live a happy, very normal country dog's life, is just icing on the cake. I wouldn't trade my joyful, loving abledog for all the tea in China.
Well, those are the details, and that's my opinion.
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