Oče iz Tennesseeja je imel občutek, da bi lahko usposobil pastirja za pomoč njegovemu 4-letnemu sinu
Kot lahko potrdi skoraj vsakdo, ki je posvojil psa ali mačko iz zavetišča, je rešeni ljubljenček nekaj posebnega; kot da žival čuti, da je dobila drugo priložnost za življenje. To zagotovo velja za Juno, belgijski malinois, ki so jo rešili iz zavetišča le nekaj dni, preden naj bi jo uspavali. Toda odkar je prišla živeti k svoji družini v Alcoo, Tenn., je Juno prevzela vlogo reševalke štiriletnega Lucasa Hembreeja.
Lucas trpi za Sanfilippovim sindromom, dedno presnovno boleznijo, ki jo povzroča pomanjkanje ali nepravilno delovanje encima, potrebnega za razgradnjo dolgih molekul sladkorja. Z napredovanjem bolezni otroci izgubijo sposobnost govora, hoje in jesti. Bolezen povzroča tudi hude nevrološke poškodbe, ki vodijo do agresivnega vedenja, hiperaktivnosti in napadov.
»Najbolj katastrofalna stvar, ki jo slišijo starši, ko izvejo, da ima njihov otrok to bolezen, je, da ni na voljo zdravila ali zdravljenja,« pravi Lucasov oče Chester.
Če se to ne spremeni, se pričakuje, da Lucas ne bo dopolnil 15 let in bo morda v vegetativnem stanju do svojega osmega leta. Chester in njegova žena Jennifer se zavedata, da je vsak trenutek še posebej dragocen, zato želita, da njun sin izkusi čim več, medtem ko še lahko uživa.
Molitev in vztrajnost
Ko je torej bolezen začela vplivati na Lucasove sklepe, je Chester razmišljal o tem, da bi dobil psa službenika, ki bi Lucasa ohranjal pri miru, ko hodi. »Rekli so mi, da bi službeni pes stal najmanj 15.000 dolarjev in da Lucas ni dober kandidat zaradi vse slabših sposobnosti in obnašanja,« pravi Chester. "Nisem hotel sprejeti tega odgovora."
Kombinacija molitve in vztrajnosti je Chesterja pripeljala do Juno. »Na spletni strani reševalne skupine sem naletel na objavo o njej,« pravi. "V črevesju sem imel občutek, da moram iti pogledat tega psa."
Vsa družina se je odpravila na dvourno pot, da bi srečala Juno, ki je bila zaprta v zavetišču v vzhodnem Tennesseeju. "Bila je shujšana in bili so dnevi oddaljeni od evtanazije," pravi Chester. "V zavetišče so jo predali, ker njeni prejšnji lastniki niso razumeli belgijskega malinoisa." Na srečo je Chester to storil. Pasmo je spoznal in vzljubil, ko je leta prej delal kot policist.
»Včasih sem pomagal pri šolanju policijskih K-9, naši psi pa so bili belgijski malinoise,« pravi. "Všeč mi je bila njihova želja po delu in njihov odnos 'nikoli ne odnehaj'." Poleg tega, da je priljubljena izbira za policijske pse, se pasma pogosto uporablja v boju. Pravzaprav se domneva, da je bil pes, ki je mornariškim tjulnjem pomagal ustreliti Osamo bin Ladna, belgijski malinois.
Obsut z ljubeznijo in naklonjenostjo
Toda medtem ko je pasma dokazala svojo moč na patrulji in v boju, je Chester moral biti prepričan, da bo Juno primeren službeni pes za njegovega sinčka. "Postavil sem jo na ohlapen povodec in hodila je z mano in nikoli ni vlekla," pravi Chester. "Naslednji je prišel Lucasov test. Takoj sta se sprejela drug za drugega, kot sorodni duši." Hembrejevi so Juno pripeljali domov in jo zasuli z ljubeznijo in naklonjenostjo.
"Želel sem zagotoviti, da ima dovolj časa, da se prilagodi družini, preden začnem s formalnim usposabljanjem," pravi Chester. Vendar se je od začetka zdelo, da je v njunem odnosu nekaj instinktivnega. Nekega dne je Chester opazil, da Juno kroži okoli Lucasa, ko je bil v invalidskem vozičku. "Cvilila je in ga sukala z nosom," pravi Chester. "Preveril sem njegove ravni kisika in bile so zelo nizke." Ko mu je dal kisik, se je Lucas vrnil v normalno stanje in Juno ga je pozdravila s prilizovanjem in naklonjenostjo.
"Takrat sem vedel, da je sposobna zaznati njegove nevrološke spremembe," pravi Chester. "Zdaj nas opozori, ko bo Lucas dobil napad ali če bo njegova raven kisika zelo nizka. Večkrat ga je rešila." Juno je za Lucasa postala dobesedna rama, na katero se lahko opre med hojo, in ima pomirjujoč učinek, ko je vznemirjen. In medtem ko Chester poskrbi, da Juno dobi dopust, pravi, da je Juno težko prepričati, da zapusti Lucasa. »Ne vidiš enega brez drugega blizu,« pravi. "Resnično se zdi, kot da je bilo mišljeno."
Če želite izvedeti več o Lucasu, lahko obiščete Facebook stran, ki jo njegov oče piše z Lucasove perspektive.
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I am impressed reading the true story of Lucas , a 4 years little boy and his pet .I pray for you Lucas to live long . Nothing is impossible with GOD. Men give you only 15 years of life but GOD says HE heals you. GOD is watching you over your act of kindness.And He will heal you from your sickness. GOD Bless you, Lucas !!!
Such a great story. :)
Hi- my name is Amy Gorman Leon. I am mutual friends with Gary Lewis and Dave. At age 18 I suffered a traumatic brain injury through an attack, which led to blidness, deafness, paralysis, and seizures. I have since gotten a Master's in disabilities and am a J.D. adcountenance upon you.vocate for persons with challenges. I too had a service dog-a Welch Corgy-who saved my life many times before we finally retired him. I am most interested in Lucas and the two of you and would love to become your mutual friends. I am a spiritual and strongly believe in the power of prayer. You are all an inspiration to me and I would love to keep track of you. Please let me know if you will confirm my request for friendship, and never give up hope. I now teach music therapy and Gary and I went to the same music school together. God has a plan for all of you-may God bless you and keep you; may He shine his counntenance upon you. Bless you all. Amy Gorman Leon
Amazing!!!!!.
http://www.facebook.com/Pra... Here is the facebook page :)
I've come to understand that my loving Miss Kitty Cody was a rescue cat (owner got sick and never came home) and very neurotic when she came to live w/me. She cried for a week but finally got used to me, her new home and lots of loving attention. I've never known such a loving cat and she sure senses my moods and communicates her needs & she know lots of words, like, "Do you want to go in the window?" If yes, she runs in the bathroom and jumps up to the window which I open for her - aw, fresh air! As a senior she is the best buddy ever, and I don't have to take her for walks in the cold outdoors.
Dogs are the most animals ,who love with all their hearts, the wonderful friend one can desire.
Nice story and may God be with them both.
This is God at work.
Amazing story!
Great story, I feel to say long live juno and lucas.
My prayers and heart to Lucas, Boy you are alive and will remain alive, The Doctor says the fact but God knows the truth. Bet me Lucas you will cross 15 believe and prayers. For Juno she's a human in disgard, a God sent for Lucas.
Charles
What an inspiring story. I have a beautiful dog Buddy. He has been my mate for nearly 18yrs. There was a time in my life when I was extremely ill and he was my only friend, as I did not want to burden others with my disabilities. He saw me through, gave me courage in his silent but strength giving manner. He knows all. He is deaf now and full of arthritus and still the most loving soul I will ever know. I thank him forever for the strength and friendship he gives me. I never wanted a dog but the day I met him as a pup it was love at first sight. He is my true soul mate. Thankyou to all the wonderful pets out there and the people who have the time to connect to them.
Unconditional love in the true sense is a dog and his mate.
Keep your heart open Lucas, you are a truly inspiring soul as is your Juno.
Beautiful. could u share the link for the facebook page :) Gratitude!
I love my dog and wouldn't know how to press on if it weren't for him. You can check him out at http://jamesanderson.author...