Lakota is in Doggy Heaven.

Lakota

Age 13, December 22, 1996 - June 24, 2009

Lakota was my service dog, She was everything to me.

Nickname: Lakota

Lakota was my service dog, she was everything to me. When I pass by a lake or pond, I have memories of her swimming and attacking the water. When i am out in my hobby shed sometimes I can feel her lay next to me.. I have memories of her protecting me. Giving me her 300%. When we camped it was funny she chose what dog and what person to bark at.. She was a good girl though, She was a rescue. She loved to run in our yard. She took the job of making all chipmunks and squirrels and little tiny toads where in their spot, she never harmed one of them though. She helped me from the first night I had her. She helped me wake from nightmares. She did all kinds of things for me, told me when i have severe panic attacks, when another personalty was coming out, protected me against a guy who tried to hurt me, letting me feel it is safe to go places by myself with her. She went to church with me, we ushered, served at dinners, and communion. I also have memories of her having fun with the kittens ( we raise maine coon cats). She would get all excited the poor kitten did not know what to think. We let Lakota try to play then told her to leave it alone. Lakota loved walks in the woods, and in parks. She was on planes, boats ( ferrys, speed boat, and steamboat), trains ( amtrack, and subway). You name she been on it almost.

After Alaska trip 36 hours on ferry ( she was trained not go on cement and she did not though I begged her too, ) I thought for sure we were going to have accident we never did she held it. Believe me she was the first dog off that ferry in Kitchan. I think it reief for her FINALLY GRASS!!!!
After that trip we are not sure why the change, but Lakota was very nervous around public. her focus was off and she just wanted to get away. So we retired her, I soon found out that she may have been retired from public but at home, camping, walking or even riding in car. she was working for me. And for that I will be grateful.

We have known for about 4 years that Lakota had a rare disease. I can not spell it ,prnounce it. it is a long name. What does it slowly eats away at the muscles. Lakota seemed fine with it. then couple days i notice she was not eating right. I became concerned. I took her to vet. they said she lost a lot of weight. Surprised me she was eating before that. We upped her food and did things. She started to eat better then stopped. All and all it was a tough week, back and forth to vet. she was not doing well at all one morin. I went to vet her stomach flipped during the night. My world came crashing down. When it came time for her to go. i helped get her to lay down. i was siting in front of her. she nudge her head farther on my lap. I held her head and talked to her. We were a team to very end.

Lakota loved toys with long legs or arms, she would whip it around, she would love to play fetch, well her term of fetch.. throw ball she looks at you like am not getting that. Sometimes gets it runs back to you but drops the ball along way. She loved the outdoors. i still say her Motto when camping is " ok mom we are set up now where is the water?"

She brought so much joy in mine and my families life. I miss her but family as a saying about her.

She went to heaven said " ok Jesus where is the pond?" ran swam for like 10-15 minutes then went back to Jesus said " ok i swam and had fun but now my human needs me"

there are times i feel her so close. I know i will see her again. Will I get another service dog? My support team and myself thinks Lakota was so bright. she taught me everything i needed to learn to care for self. So no I will not be getting another dog. No dog could do what she did for me.