Page 1050 - Total War on PTSD

chance to take off his harness — he just ran and dove into the waves. He was just happy to go and play with me at the beach.
I'd ask him if he wanted to go swimming, and his face would light up like a Christmas tree. Duke's love of swimming forced me to get out for short periods of time and be 'normal'. We would head to the beach and get everything set up for me on shore, and then I would let him go. Off he would run into the water, just like a duck, swimming away.
Looking back, there were times when I worried whether Duke would ever become a functioning Service Dog, but I figured puppies would be puppies. He was not only my best friend by also my partner in crime. We have done a lot together through the years and have gone on many different trips — to Arkansas to see my family, fishing, swimming, hiking and camping. You name it, we've done it.
Duke taught me how to live — again and again, every day. He somehow knew when my PTSD was rearing its ugly head, and he would hunt me down. He seemed to know how I was feeling and would try his best to keep me focused so that I could function and complete the day-to-day projects that normal people can do without thinking. One time, I was having a really bad day, and he came to me with his little ball and dropped it at my feet. He wanted me to pick it up and throw it for him...wanted me to focus on him instead of my PTSD. Somehow, he knew I was going on a mental trip that I shouldn't be going on. That's just one small example of the way he saved my life.
Without Duke, I know I probably would have committed suicide. Duke freed me from my worst fears, and in doing so, he gave me my life back. I have an alarm system in my house with a panic button set up just for Duke so that, when I am home alone, in case of emergency, he can activate the panic button. I also have a special lock on my door that he can unlock to allow medics to come in and assist me. On many occasions over the years during emergencies Duke has known exactly what to do for me. On every single occasion he was saving my life. One night, I had a seizure even though I had taken my medication. He knew exactly what to do. He hit the panic button and it called 911 for me. He barked to the person talking over the system, and they dispatched help to the house. Duke unlocked the door and waited for the paramedics to arrive and he accompanied me to the hospital. That night he truly saved my life. This just goes to show how wonderful these dogs are, and how wonderful it is to have them in our lives.
1050 of 1085