tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123372662024-03-14T01:29:51.851-04:00My Border Collie, Rowena: Trials & Tribulations of a Psychiatric Service Dog & Her Handler"Is tu gra mo croi."
Jayden's Rowena, or Rowena (meaning: "White Mane") is the name of the beautiful black and white freckled Border Collie that I have raised and trained to become my service dog. She has given me something that many care providers have never been able to give me... an increase in my level of functioning that has enabled me to become a more active member of my community. This is a journal of the triumphs and trials of our wonderful partnership.HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-26780107813011943442023-08-31T10:14:00.003-04:002023-08-31T10:16:14.520-04:00Three Birthdays Without Rowena Coming up this weekend marks Rosie's 19th Birthday. I have been without her for 3 birthdays so far and it doesn't seem to get much easier. Rowena passed from this world on May 3, 2021 in Bangor, Maine. She was born on September 3, 2004 in Orland, Maine. Rosie was raised in the city of Bangor, riding the city bus, going to malls, Dr.'s offices, learning to stay on the correct side of a HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-86730713622791109522021-04-27T19:35:00.001-04:002021-04-27T19:35:25.258-04:00Final Goodbyes Yesterday was a very sad day, but not one that we were not expecting to come soon. Rowena's doctor told us Rowena has Stage four Kidney failure, and has "days or weeks rather than months" left. She had been going down hill for quite a time, and her quality of life is not very noticeable right now. Deaf, blind, hind end weakened, We made the decision.Jayden's Rowena, CGC, PSD Born September HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-4135433428153393382020-12-30T14:56:00.001-05:002020-12-30T14:56:34.718-05:00An Introduction to Rowena's Retirement and Geriatric Life It has been so long since I have posted here due to issues with accessibility to internet and wifi. So much has gone on and so much is changing. Hopefully with this little computer I can post more often if necessary until my days of using a service dog are fully gone and behind me. That may be sooner than later.My Service dog Rowena is now Sixteen years and three months old. She stopped HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-26401661626912905682015-08-05T12:20:00.001-04:002015-08-05T12:20:32.431-04:00Service Dog Photos Needed for Training Posters and Pamphlets--- Online Registered Dogs Need Not Apply!I will be seeking photos of Service Dogs (with or without their disabled handlers) to use in some upcoming personal projects. The projects will be used to educate service dog users, trainees, and the general public, possibly including businesses. Some I may use on my blog here. Some I may use on my service dog's FB page- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rowena-the-Service-Dog/HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-10112408737754082692014-08-11T17:58:00.002-04:002014-08-12T13:23:41.966-04:00How Do "Fakers" Hurt Real Disabled People and Their Real Service Dogs?
My husband, Chris, posing with Rosie, my Service Dog on her first ever Schooner ride!
Just yesterday I met a person who told me that they made their dog a service dog because they travel abroad a lot and it was so expensive to bring their family dog. At the time, my vested service dog and I were enjoying a sail in that person's family's schooner with many other people from the HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-26746087774814187662014-01-13T21:44:00.000-05:002015-08-06T23:27:11.088-04:00My Dog and I Cured Me
My new puppy! November 11, 2004! There is nothing like the glow in the face of a new puppy owner.
Around the time I got my puppy that I was going to train as a service dog, I had been out of the psychiatric hospital for about a year. I had only been out of the medical hospital (which I was in for psychiatric medical reasons) for about 2 months. When my puppy was HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-40590566177759950972013-06-06T20:26:00.000-04:002013-06-06T20:39:40.804-04:00"Toddlers Must be Leashed" (I'm kidding. No hate mail please!)
Me and my service dog Rowena (Rosie) out photographing nature
My hobby is photography. I photograph things in nature. When I first started doing this I found that I really wanted to know what the flowers etc. were that I was taking pictures of all the time. With guide books, I labeled my photos, identifying the subject and sometimes putting the Latin name for the subject asHeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-91240211853393780602013-04-23T15:27:00.000-04:002014-01-13T21:56:17.087-05:00Saying Good-bye to a Good Friend...
Today we are remembering a service dog named Destry. On April 22, 2013, Destry was pts. He had been diagnosed with Cancer within the last several months, and had declined rapidly over the weekend. He is now at the Rainbow Bridge to wait for his Momma.
Destry was a handsome, well-behaved Belgian Sheepdog boy. Rowena and I have had the opportunity to meet Destry HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-84867128999464033152013-04-08T21:22:00.002-04:002013-04-08T21:30:51.536-04:00International Assistance Dog Week 2013
http://www.assistancedogweek.org/
HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-46816073757143239202013-02-09T22:05:00.001-05:002013-02-09T22:05:43.405-05:00My Pretty Girl- Photos from the past year.
She looks nice, eh? she was waiting for a toy to be thrown.
Rosie in Belfast on one of the crafter's chairs... artists in the area have made benches for use throughout the town using their media of choice.
Her first movie.
Rosie attended the Banff Mountain Film Festival at Husson College, Gracie Theater this past week.
Rosie in Union, Maine in her HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-85714731724044035632012-12-19T15:29:00.002-05:002013-01-16T00:48:52.108-05:00The First Guide Dog
Buddy, the first Seeing Eye dog in the United States
I saw this article as a post on Facebook and had to share it with you. In this article, you will see the birth of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The story is a book and a movie.
Morris Frank with his guide dog, Buddy
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=317440531703979&set=a.HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-12717860413154088732012-10-30T23:35:00.000-04:002012-10-31T00:53:06.645-04:00Letter (from and to) The Penobscot Theatre Company Regarding Their decision That Service Dogs Who Tried Out for the Part of "Sandy" in the Play "Annie" are Automatically Disqualified <!--[gte IE 5]><?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->
White Lettering
Q- Did they sayon the "Sandy" application that Service Dogs were not allowed to try-out for the part?
A- No, it did not. It said "All breeds welcome".
One of the chosen "Sandy" dogs and some of the orphans.
----- Original Message -----
HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-70527625889508533802012-10-30T22:49:00.000-04:002012-10-30T23:49:03.505-04:00Re: Rosie's birthday videoWhat a lovely tribute to a lovey dog.-deb and eowyn
On 8/26/2012 8:54 PM, Heather Gerquest wrote:
<!--[gte IE 5]><?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->
http://youtu.be/9CnBWuFV7LQ
Hi everyone! It's Heather and Rosie in Maine. I thought you all would enjoy seeing Rosie's 8th HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-66240432436559058972012-08-17T00:04:00.000-04:002013-06-06T21:15:00.089-04:00Diseases Caused by Flea & Tick Bites in Canines
This article was compiled after I read something on Facebook about a border collie who died of kidney failure as a complication of Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is caused by tick bites and can be prevented. Lyme disease is a very debilitating disease that attacks the dog's immune system and causes chronic joint pain. Though kidney failure is one of the rare complications from LymeHeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-91838120135039733832012-08-09T14:15:00.003-04:002012-10-30T23:45:24.557-04:00"Puppies For Sale"
The following story is one I cannot take credit for. I can't take credit for the photos either. They came off an old Broderbund program of clip-art. However, it is a story worth sharing. This story came from the internet, author unknown, but perhaps YOU have seen it in your e-mail inbox! It is a story that is frequently forwarded, and frequently posted. Here HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-1951052747294694652012-07-09T12:17:00.001-04:002012-10-30T23:46:04.546-04:00Heat Stroke in DogsFrom the DogTime Newsletter
Link listed at the bottom
by Dr. Phil Zeltzman (Board Certified Vetrinarian)
Heat stroke occurs when your pet's internal temperature becomes dangerously high, generally about 106 degrees F. It can be due to being locked in a hot car, or to over-exercising in a hot and/or humid environment. Either way, it leads to a cascade of very serious conditions that can result HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-91042667627937598022012-03-06T18:06:00.000-05:002012-10-31T00:10:03.227-04:00colors of border collies
The True Colors of Border Collie: A coat of many colors
So what color is Blizzard?
This is Blizzard playing in Saxl Park, Bangor, Maine USA
Well, lets find out...
THE FOLLOWING DOGS ARE DOGS IN FOSTER HOMES WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO ADOPT THEM INTO FOREVER HOMES...
Zero is a totally white border collie that has dark eyes. A totally white border collie is a rare sight, and HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-11524460198520616642011-12-03T00:53:00.001-05:002012-10-31T00:10:37.718-04:00
Guardian of the Blueberry Barrens!
HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-60577043324742948212011-11-27T02:27:00.000-05:002012-10-31T00:13:59.708-04:00Federal law states only canines now qualify as disabled service animalsFederal law states only canines now qualify as disabled service animals
Federal law states only canines now qualify as disabled service animals
Certification obtained by iguana owner has no backing
Sorry... I couldn't resist this photo for this story.
CHRISTINE CULLEN
Staff Writer
(Aug. 6, 2010) Ocean City resident Wayne Short may have his pet iguana certified as a service animalHeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-72102240983384276022011-11-27T00:52:00.000-05:002011-11-27T00:52:45.974-05:00Montana Fund raising-- A Service Dog for RJ, Child with AutismDear friends and family
RJ playing with JJ.
I am writing to you on behalf of my six year old son, RJ, who is in need of a service dog for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As a military family, we have struggled with many trials and tribulations over the past 6 years. Since I am disabled and have utilized a HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-90184876955227826892011-09-02T01:26:00.002-04:002012-10-31T00:13:16.293-04:00Manor of Mixed Blessings- Service Dog Etiquette for Dog LoversIf you have ever wondered why you can't pet my service dog (or any other) please read the post at the blog link listed below:
http://manorofmixedblessings.com/2011/03/14/service-dog-etiquette-for-dog-lovers/
14 March, 2011
Service Dog Etiquette for Dog Lovers
A friend of mine asked after my rant about adults trying to pet Siddy while he’s in his vest, “Is there ever an appropriate time HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-15836338382042473072011-09-02T00:30:00.024-04:002011-09-02T00:57:55.191-04:00That'll Do"That'll Do"
by Sally Hull
The ancient hand, trembling, reached out to strokehis companion of nigh sixteen years.The grizzled old collie, not a tooth in his head,gently licked away one of his tears.
"Come up here Laddie." He patted his bed,with that knotted hand, mapped in blue veins,that for sixty-eight years had brought life to the landand wielded the shepherd's cane.
Ever HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-91797376821257020922011-09-02T00:13:00.000-04:002011-09-02T00:13:23.464-04:00Shutterfly PhotobookThe photo book I made to commemorate Rosie's 7th Birthday on 9/3/2011:
Click here to view this photo book largerHeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-90630923346190523212011-08-08T20:58:00.003-04:002011-08-08T21:26:28.713-04:00'Courtroom dog' helps young rape victim testify
'Courtroom dog' helps young rape victim testify
August 8, 2011
Dog Helps a Witness Testify, and Legal Questions Follow
By WILLIAM GLABERSON
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Rosie, the first judicially approved courtroom dog in New York, was in the witness box here nuzzling a 15-year-old girl who was testifying that her father had raped and impregnated her. Rosie sat by the teenager’s feet. At HeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12337266.post-6766976347258966842011-08-08T20:51:00.002-04:002015-12-29T18:27:59.486-05:00Cesar Milan's USSDR Details:
Service Dog Details For ID#: 1281725901 This Service/Assistance Dog team is properly registered with the United States Service Dog RegistryHandler Name: Cesar millanDog Name: JuniorDog Picture: N/A
What is so wrong with Cesar's Junior Becoming a Certified Service Dog??
http://www.albrittain.com/service-dogs/cesars-way-wrong-about-service-dogs-part-1-overview/
Is Cesar disabled?? What tasksHeatherELGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243560898834062663noreply@blogger.com0