Technology & Kermit!

Kermit is like many dogs with technology and machinery.....it can be quite stressful and scary! Kermit flees the scene when it's time to vacuum. When dad runs the saw, Kermit's not a happy camper, just like Pancake. Well, then he met the shredder. The worst part for him was that Danny was working the shredder. That was really bothersome for Kermit. He kept looking at us as if to say...."Do you really think he should be running the loud machine that's chewing up stuff!?!?!" The other night Kermit would not get out of the truck for dad & Danny. Dad said that at first he thought he was alerting a seizure but usually if Kermit's alerting he would not want to get in the vehicle. If he senses a seizure approaching he hesitates for us to leave, but not to go in the house where it's safe. Then dad finally figured it out! Kermit kept hunkering in the backseat and was starring at the bluetooth on dad's ear! Dad just got it for Christmas and this was Kermit's first experience with this new tool. It was really quite comical. A 100+ lb. dog scared of all these electronics and gadgets. Dad now has to watch the use of his gadgets around the sensitive Kermie.

Really Kermit.....lap dog?????

Kermit just loves being close to people......and takes every opportunity he gets to bond with Danny. But really Kermit......you're 110 lbs. and you still think you qualify as a lap dog? Yes, he is 1/2 lab but a bit larger than your typical lab. Danny doesn't mind at all. He loves deep pressure and Kermit can sure provide that. Danny & Kermit have a give and take relationship; Kermit lets Danny lay on him and now Danny returns the favor! Gotta love it! Although he's a bed, couch, and car seat hog, as long he continues to sniff out seizures, provide behavior disruption, and just make everyone around him happy, we'll let him get comfortable. My apologies about the date on the camera. Kermit wasn't even born in 2007! I didn't realize the date until I uploaded the pictures. Technically savvy we're not. LOL

The blessing of a snuggle buddy!

Sorry it's been so long since the blog has been updated. When the guys went hunting so did the camera. The guys came back from hunting but the camera was not so lucky! LOL Kermit & Danny are doing good. As you can see, Kermit and Danny love to snoodle! They've been doing really well together. Kermit really loves behavior disruption. Thismorning Danny didn't want to take his medicine for dad. He was screaming and getting really upset at dad. Kermit came running in the minute he heard the screams. Danny tried to push Kermit away just like he pushes everyone away when he's mad. Kermit still stayed and tried to aid Danny. Mom reminded Danny that Kermit's here to make Danny happy and help him through the tough times. Plus mom told Danny that this was Christmas and Kermit wanted him to be happy, especially with Santa coming tonight. Danny smiled, took his medicine, and went in and got Kermit a treat! Moments like these are so pricless. Kermit just loves watching over Danny. Sometimes he will just stop in the middle of what he's doing and watch over Danny. We're not sure what Kermit is thinking and sure wish we knew. We are so blessed this Christmas that Kermit has been sent to our family. Most people don't get to see how we utilize Kermit at home and out and about with those unique situations we experience with Danny. These are some amazing creatures!

Keep believing

Danny took a really bad fall last weekend during a seizure. He busted both his lips and really tore up his face. Kermit had alerted a few hours before the seizure so we are grateful that Kermit is growing closer to the actual grand mals. When Kermit was trained, he was trained more with the equivilant of a myclonic (milder) seizure. The grand mals (big seizures) are a little different than what he could be trained with. Therefore, it takes a while for many of the dogs to distinguish and learn the difference once their home and working. As the trainer has told us, the longer Kermit is with Danny and experiences Danny's seizures in person, the more he will pick up on Danny's behaviors and characteristics in order to 'fine tune' his ability to alert. The trainer is amazed at how far in advance that Kermit picks up on seizure activity. It is an amazing thing in itself to be able to say, "Kermits alerting, Danny is going to have a seizure" and then he does! This is so amazing, I wish we could get into Kermits head and know what he knows and experience it ourselves.

Kevin & I, as well as those who care deeply for Danny, can't help but ask why. But as hard as we fight it, we know why. Danny has been brought to this world to bring strength, faith, and hope to all of those blessed enough to know him. Everyday, as his mom, I am in awe at the strength he endures and shares with other's. To see the way he continues to press on, despite the pain associated with severe Epilepsy is amazing. Having the simple things in life, and being around those who love him, is happiness for him.

This video is a tribute to all of the unexplained suffering in life and those that press on everyday, like our Danny & Tricia do. Because deep down we know the reason. Please click on 'Watch on YouTube' after you click on the video.

Sweet dreams!

Although Kermit is laid back at home, he does still work at home too. He helps Danny transition from the car, help watch over Danny in the bathroom, seizure alert, behavior disruption, and bonding to name a few. Kermit is so unbelievabley patient with Danny. Sometimes when Danny's sleeping he likes to lay on Kermit or even hold his leg like you would hold a stuffed animal. No matter if he doesn't appear to be very comfortable he doesn't mind. He will stay! Even if Danny falls asleep! He's an amazing dog. He looks for every chance he can get to help Danny out. He has learned that Danny is not always open to bonding or attention and Kermit's fine with that. Sometimes during behavior disruption Danny may throw something or even hit Kermit. But Kermit doesn't mind. He's like a fireman going into the fire instead of running out. Kermit does his job and tries to calm Danny instead of running for cover. Kermit aims to please.

Kermit turns 2 today, October 29th. We keep telling him he's not a baby anymore but he doesn't seem to buy into it. He still wants to continue Kermie's crying! Once a hound always a hound! LOL It's been a busy month for birthdays. Danny's cousins Mike & Cody had birthdays this month and dad's was yesterday...the day before Kermies! We went to Pasta House for dad's birthday last night. Kermit is not distracted by the food at all. It's funny how he's so different while out in public working and at home. But as Jeremy (4Paws trainer) told us, dogs are like people in that they act differently at home behind closed doors than they will when out in public or at work. It's funny at restaurants because Kermit was trained to lay under the table. But he so big that he doesn't fit under most tables! Last night he tried to lay under the booth and had his whole butt & tail sticking out the end where the waiter walks up! It was quite comical! Wally & I looked at eachother and said, only our service dog! He found a spot outside the table on the floor under mom's feet and he was good to go. He's definitely a keeper!

This is not the mall!!!!!

On Saturday, September 25th we traveled to Pilot Knob, MO for the Civil War reenactment that takes place every 3 years. Kermit was great and sure was a hit for the whole day. But there was a lot of walking and crowds. Kermit had this look on his face as if to say, "Wait! This is not the mall! 4 Paws trained me at the mall!" Kermit was not enthused about the horses. When he first seen them he stopped and stood back and sort of moaned. It was funny. Later in the day Danny was walking toward the horses wanted to see them. We decided not to go near them and give Kerms a break. I told Kermit that he had met his match! It was quite comical. Afterward we went to a restaurant for dinner and to celebrate Kenny's 17th birthday, which was on the same day as the reenactment. When we walked in with Kermit the waitress approached me and said they don't allow animals in the restaurant. I explained to her that he was a service dog. She asked who in our group was blind! I stated that he was an autism/seizure dog for my son. She looked puzzled and said, "Well, I guess he can stay as long as he behaves". I just simply said, "No, he will stay because it's the law" and offered his papers. Later on when we were almost done eating, the waitress came by and admired how wonderful and well behaved Kermit was. I told her that he was trained well and knows his job. It was a good lesson for someone on service dogs of all kinds. What a great way to celebrate Kenny's birthday!

Crying Kermit

Well, Kermit has discovered a new part of the hound dog in him. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time"! Yes, Kermit has discovered crying. Oh my, it's been interesting. Dad tells him that no 106 lb. dog can cry. He tells him he's a worker and needs to be a soldier. Kermit just looks at him with this look as if to say, "But I like crying, after all, I see all of you guys with your little habits!"

We've been working hard with Kermit to teach him to bark when he sees a seizure. He alerts so many hours in advance, when he begins sensing that his brain is building up to one, which is great! But we want Kermit to also learn to tell us when the seizure begins. After all, the last seizure Danny had Kermit was the only one with Danny. Although that's great that he stayed with him and tried to keep him safe, he couldn't stop Danny from falling off the glider during his seizing. Kermit is really getting it but it does take time. After all, Danny wasn't with Kermit at 4 Paws during his training, and therefore Kermit now has to train with the seizures themselves. He's such a smart dog and picks up so fast!

Kermit is so funny when he plays with his Nylabone, squeeky ball, and other toys. He lays on his back with his legs in the air, and holding the toys in his paws. It's quite comical. He actually tried one of mom's croc's yesterday.....guess he thought it was an acceptable replacement for mom's slipers!

Now that Kermit is physically bigger and stronger, and Danny is finally feeling well, we are going to begin practicing more on tethering. Please watch for updates. However much tethering we are able to do with Danny & Kermit will be a blessing for all of us!