Coonhound & Foxhound Companions
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet the Team
  • Programs
    • Long Ears Alive! Fund
    • Success Stories
  • Resources
    • Why Adopt Coonhounds & Foxhounds
    • Adopting Senior Coonhounds & Foxhounds
    • Long Ears Blog
    • Poster Downloads
    • Long Ear League
    • Promotional Kit
    • Links >
      • Rescue Organizations
      • Hound Activities
      • Useful Links
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Shop

Three's Company

6/24/2014

1 Comment

 
“I thank God daily for Luke, because he is Michael's best friend, and they have a bond that no one can describe.” The words are Nicole’s about her husband Michael. And Luke is Michael’s 4-year-old Bluetick Coonhound service dog.

Nicole’s husband, Michael, suffers from Autism Spectrum Disorder. (ASD is a neurological disorder resulting in developmental disability that affects communication, social understanding, behavior, activities and interests). After severely injuring his back while working at his uncle’s shop, Michael was left barely able to function. Even worse were his feelings of futility, depression and despair.

And then …coincidence or providence?

Living next door to the couple was a breeder with a puppy Michael desperately wanted. But when he approached the breeder, he was told that the puppy wasn’t for sale, and a dejected Michael returned home empty handed. The following day, the breeder called; he’d changed his mind. Never had Nicole seen her husband as happy as the day that small Bluetick Coonhound entered his life. And the loving bond between Michael and Luke was instantly and immutably forged.

Picture
Michael and puppy Luke
If not for Luke …

One of Michael’s many ongoing health problems includes seizures. Seizures, which Luke instinctively and instantly picked up on. After some further instruction from Nicole, the pup learned to recognize when they were coming on and what to do. He would remain with Michael the entire time, never once leaving his side, until the seizure was over.

The same holds true whenever Michael becomes depressed or is bedridden because of his back. Luke stays close to him, comforting and calming him with his presence, and providing the stricken Michael with the solace and reassurance he needs. And yet, this very special relationship doesn’t only work one way. Whenever Luke is the one in need of calming, Michael is there for HIM. According to Nicole, “They know just what the other thinks and wants.”
Picture
Luke brings joy into the family
Once, during a walk through the woods near their house, Michael fell. Luke reacted immediately. He slid beneath Michael, braced himself firmly, and was able to hold Michael's weight while he managed to get back up. Now, all anyone has to say is, "Luke, help me up," and Luke will help that person up. With Michael, however, Luke knows even before he’s asked.
 
The pair is inseparable, and with Nicole’s assistance, the three of them have become regular visitors at a nearby nursing home, where they spend time with the seniors on the rehabilitation floor. Their mission: “to cheer them up and make their day,” says Nicole. Michael loves showing off Luke, Luke loves the attention, and the seniors love Luke. It is a single, joyous and rewarding love fest all round.
Picture
Nicole and Luke
“Michael tells me that he loves Luke more than me,” Nicole admits, “that they have a tighter bond. Does this bother me? Does it make me mad? The answer is ‘no.’ And I will continue to say, ‘no.’ Why? Because I am walking with Michael, step by step, and side by side, just in a different way. I definitely love my Michael, and wouldn't change my baby for anything in this world.”

Article written by Nomi Berger. Nomi is the bestselling author of seven novels and one work of non-fiction. Nomi devotes all of her time volunteering her writing skills to animal rescue organizations both in Canada and the USA.
1 Comment

    The Coonie Team

    ​Marybeth Brown
    Charlotte Busch
    Jerry Dunham
    Mary Ann Emerson
    Kathy LaRoque
    Anna Nirva

    Jill Sicheneder
    Jean Stone


    Archives

    April 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    June 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    March 2016
    November 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

    Categories

    All
    Black & Tan Coonhounds
    Bluetick Coonhounds
    Coonhound Advice
    Coonhound Companions
    Coonhound Events
    Coonhound History
    Coonhound Rescue & Adoption
    Coonhounds In Competition
    Coonhound Stories
    Coonhound Temperament
    Foxhounds
    Fun With Coonhounds
    In Memory Of Special Coonhounds
    Miscellaneous
    Redbone Coonhounds
    Senior Coonhounds
    Training Coonhounds
    Walker Coonhounds

    RSS Feed

Home
Our Story
Donate
Contact Us
to the