True love is for Eva for Bailey
Eva the unwanted guide dog is anything but a failure to nine-year-old Bailey White.
The golden labrador is Bailey's best friend and supporter. The Wattle Downs boy was born with cerebral palsy, cortical vision and epilepsy.
His parents Jason and Louise White decided to get a dog as a companion for their oldest son and as a family pet for their other children Madison, six, and Colby, five.
They knew it would take a special dog to match their needs and, having no time to train a puppy, they turned to the Guide Dog Services adoption programme. The service allows dogs who do not make the grade in training to be adopted out.
Within two weeks of making an application, Eva arrived on the doorstep. She had been withdrawn from guide dog training because she is easily distracted.
It did not take long for the two-year-old to make her mark on the family and for the bond between her and Bailey to form. "The look on Bailey's face when Eva first licked him was a Kodak moment - pure shock," Mrs White says.
Now he is used to her kisses and has learned to pat her softly.
It was three days after Eva's arrival that the bond between the two showed through in an emotional moment for the family.
Every night Bailey's parents lay him on the lounge floor and stretch his limbs to stop them seizing up. One night Eva lay beside him and rested her head on his lap. She has continued to help Bailey with his stretches ever since.
When the family go for walks at night Eva walks beside Bailey's wheelchair and when he has a fit, which leaves him distressed, she just sits with him.
She is the first to greet him when he gets home from school and has taken to sleeping under his bed at night.
I feel like someone is watching over him," says Mrs White.
Eva's protective nature also extends to the other children. If one is crying she will sit beside them until they stop.
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The magic of dog ownership! I just love these stories... My partner was knocked down by our dog Holmes. Not on purpose, but just as dogs do when horsing around with another dog. Unfortunately, Blair went over his bike while walking it up the drive.
He hurt his knees badly, and while nursing his knees, Holmes came around and started to lick his knees. When he told me this, I just couldn't beleive it. Holmes knew he was hurt, and he might understand that it was his fault and wanted to make it better.
The golden labrador is Bailey's best friend and supporter. The Wattle Downs boy was born with cerebral palsy, cortical vision and epilepsy.
His parents Jason and Louise White decided to get a dog as a companion for their oldest son and as a family pet for their other children Madison, six, and Colby, five.
They knew it would take a special dog to match their needs and, having no time to train a puppy, they turned to the Guide Dog Services adoption programme. The service allows dogs who do not make the grade in training to be adopted out.
Within two weeks of making an application, Eva arrived on the doorstep. She had been withdrawn from guide dog training because she is easily distracted.
It did not take long for the two-year-old to make her mark on the family and for the bond between her and Bailey to form. "The look on Bailey's face when Eva first licked him was a Kodak moment - pure shock," Mrs White says.
Now he is used to her kisses and has learned to pat her softly.
It was three days after Eva's arrival that the bond between the two showed through in an emotional moment for the family.
Every night Bailey's parents lay him on the lounge floor and stretch his limbs to stop them seizing up. One night Eva lay beside him and rested her head on his lap. She has continued to help Bailey with his stretches ever since.
When the family go for walks at night Eva walks beside Bailey's wheelchair and when he has a fit, which leaves him distressed, she just sits with him.
She is the first to greet him when he gets home from school and has taken to sleeping under his bed at night.
I feel like someone is watching over him," says Mrs White.
Eva's protective nature also extends to the other children. If one is crying she will sit beside them until they stop.
MORE>>
The magic of dog ownership! I just love these stories... My partner was knocked down by our dog Holmes. Not on purpose, but just as dogs do when horsing around with another dog. Unfortunately, Blair went over his bike while walking it up the drive.
He hurt his knees badly, and while nursing his knees, Holmes came around and started to lick his knees. When he told me this, I just couldn't beleive it. Holmes knew he was hurt, and he might understand that it was his fault and wanted to make it better.
1 Comments:
At 10:50 p.m.,
Anonymous said…
Jason & Louise,
This is a real heart-felt story, and one that is great because it also tells us (!!!) that you guys are doing fine and that Bailey now has Eva. There are a couple of ancient safari-going "Scots" who do want to get in touch with you again, so please write - knightsofalba-red@yahoo.co.uk
regards,
Emil
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