Saturday, January 12, 2008

Leah's Miracle Is Set To Arrive!

Leah's miracle is coming home! Yes, Riley has a homecoming date of January 28th!

We got a call this morning from his 'Foster Mom", Jennifer, and she said she needs a bit more time with him for the socialization part of his training. Seems that Riley is a bit of a wimp when it comes to foreign objects, large and small!! Thus, he needs some more exposure before coming home.

Jennifer reported that Riley's 'manners' are great, his temperament is outstanding, but like we had heard before...he is still a puppy! A little dense! She stated that when he's outside he doesn't like to come when he's called. I can just imagine him in the spring time frolicking in the green grass chasing butterflies and grasshoppers! Can't you see it now???

On a side note in this post, I'd like to address the same question that so many people have been asking Josh and I, "So what is Riley going to do for Leah?" Let me try to explain.

All of you know Leah so you know that she seems to be developing normal. She is... She looks normal...heck, she's beautiful (I'm her mom!!!), she acts normal, etc. Things are just moving a bit slower than we'd like...but she is making progress...HUGE PROGRESS since all of this began!!!!!

Leah has been diagnosed with a motor planning delay as well as an expressive speech delay, which we believe is going to be labeled as apraxia. The motor planning delay simply means that the mind and body do not work well together. She just can't get the two to synchronize. There is nothing cognitively 'wrong' and there is nothing 'physically' wrong. It's simply that the messages between the two don't work well together. For this delay Riley will go to therapy in Battle Creek and work with her there. He is also being trained to play back-and- forth with Leah, accept a toothbrush so Leah can learn to brush his teeth then ultimately her own teeth properly, Riley is being taught to accept kitchen utensils so Leah will learn to scoop and stab food to feed Riley then ultimately feed herself appropriately, Leah will brush/groom Riley, and Riley will be harnessed for Leah's wobbly stability!

For the speech component, Riley will go to speech therapy with Leah at Sparrow and Leah will be taught how to appropriately respond to social questions about her dog. (Just think of the numerous people that will approach our family and her because of this MIRACLE!!!) Is this your dog? "Yes". What's your dog's name? "Riley". Also, she will need to be able to express the commands to Riley! So Riley will act as a communication dog as well.

We also have to admit that Riley will be part of our family. He will not strictly be a working dog...ugh...we already love him like a family member! We are looking forward to having him as an assistance dog for Leah just as much as we are as having him as a companion dog for our family!!!!

So, mark your calenders for the week of the 28th! It's Leah's week of Miracles! Riley is coming home. Now just know, adding a dog to a household is a bit like adding a child so a blog post may take a few days to add! But just wait, I'll add one with a bunch of pictures...I PROMISE!

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