Raider will forever be in my heart

Raider came to us at just 6 weeks old. He was born to two show dogs, Jackie, his mom and Rio, his dad. Jackie was a greyhound and Rio was a black borzoi. Raider looked exactly like his mom, with all the same spots and markings except he had a “?” on his head and his mom had a “!” on her head. Raider was sweet to babies, children, our birds, cats, dogs, chickens, and adults. He never met someone he did not like and he never met a stranger. Raider was a brilliant dog. He learned fast and wanted to work. He was just a year old when we started training out in town. He loved to go for rides. He loved to meet new people. He was a joy to have as a Service Animal and in his later years, as a loving homebody dog. Because Raider was a Service Animal, he was not trained with many of the “normal” commands. We had words that would keep me safe and him safe too. Raider did not “fetch”. It would have caused me pain to have him run after something, while he was attached to me. Raider worked for 12 years as my Service Animal. He got me out of the wheelchair, off the walker, and cane. It was amazing how he would work for me. In the last years of his life, 2yrs. 9mos., Raider was a house dog and became more Matt’s dog. Raider is the first Greyhound Borzoi to ever be a Service Animal. Raider was my Stability Dog. He was tall like my cane, he wore jackets I made for him, he had a harness and I had a belt that I attached to his harness. He was always with me. He behaved as if he were born to be a Service Animal. Raider played, but when he worked he really worked hard. The first time Raider was trained to work out of the home, we went to the Insurance Company. Ahead of us were two chairs. Raider laid down between the chairs and did not move the whole time we were there. He stayed calm and relaxed. When it was time to go, he got up and helped me walk out to the car. He got trainer treats regularly, I kept them in my pocket, but this day he got a real beef bone! He deserved it! Raider could “sit, stay, back-up, lay down”, he could go “around”, “wink”, say, “out-out”(learned at age 12), he would “smile”, squeak his toys, share his food and water bowls with the other animals, he could stand still while I bent over to pick something up, he would “lean” against me when I needed to rest. He was ready to work the moment I said, “Raider, work”. We would go shopping, out to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. He would go to the park, swim in the river and lakes, he would take me to the restroom, stand still so I could balance, and help me stand again. At the grocery store, he would stand still (Help Mommy) and I would lean over him to get things off the shelf. Before Raider, I had to depend on my children whenever I went somewhere. Raider would lay near me at a restaurant, never eat anything off the floor (Not Yours), I always gave him a treat when we were done working. Raider was very intuned to my feelings. He was very aware of my pain and would lay his rear against my back when I was on the bed. His body heat would transfer to my back and I would feel better. This is something he did on his own. He was also aware of others pain around me. He once moved from me to another woman and leaned on her. She was next to me and had leg pain. He knew. It was amazing. American’s With Disabilities Act http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm I did have difficulty in town from people who did not know about Service Animals. And it was frustrating. People need to be educated. I did this with Raider everytime we went anywhere. I would talk to anyone who yelled at me, questioned me and talked to me. After I was yelled at by a Manager of Walmart in Farmington, New Mexico, and I talked with the security officer at length, the Walmart put a Service Animal Sticker on their doors. “We welcome Service Animals”. It was a grass-roots like movement! Raider was always well behaved. He went everywhere that I went. We were inseparable. We will miss Raider. He passed away on December 29, 2017, after a long 3 day ordeal. We could not let him suffer and had him go to sleep at Alta Vista Animal Hospital. He came home to us in a small box that rests in our living room. His collar rests on top of the box, with a card of his cremation information. Even though Raider is no longer with us, I believe he and I will run together in Heaven. He was a wonderful dog and I loved him so much. He will forever be in my heart. His page, photos, and funny antics will go on here on this page. From time to time, I will post photos, stories, and articles. Please continue to follow this page. Thank You! I’m sure there will be another Service Animal in my life. But it is not a replacement for Raider, but a continuation of his legacy. A Stability Dog to help me get through this life easier. Thank you for reading this. God Bless you! CJD.Sign