田纳西州一位父亲凭直觉认为，他可以训练牧羊犬来帮助他的儿子，4
几乎所有从收容所领养过猫狗的人都能体会到，获救的宠物总有一种特别的气质；仿佛它们觉得自己获得了第二次生命。比利时马里努阿犬朱诺就是如此，它在被安乐死前几天才从收容所获救。自从来到田纳西州阿尔科亚的新家后，朱诺就成了四岁男孩卢卡斯·亨布里的“救星”。
卢卡斯患有圣菲利波综合征，这是一种遗传性代谢疾病，由分解长链糖分子所需的酶缺乏或功能异常引起。随着病情发展，患儿会逐渐丧失说话、行走和进食的能力。该疾病还会造成严重的神经损伤，导致攻击性行为、多动症和癫痫发作。
“父母得知自己的孩子患有这种疾病时，最令人绝望的消息就是这种疾病没有治愈或治疗方法，”卢卡斯的父亲切斯特说。
除非情况有所改变，否则卢卡斯预计活不过15岁，甚至可能在8岁时就处于植物人状态。切斯特和妻子詹妮弗深知每一刻都弥足珍贵，他们希望儿子在还有能力享受生活的时候，尽可能多地体验人生百态。
祈祷和坚持
所以当疾病开始影响卢卡斯的关节时，切斯特开始考虑为他找一只辅助犬，帮助他走路时保持稳定。“有人告诉我，一只辅助犬至少要15000美元，而且卢卡斯由于身体机能和行为问题，并不适合领养，”切斯特说，“但我拒绝接受这个说法。”
切斯特凭借祈祷和坚持不懈的努力找到了朱诺。“我在一个动物救助组织的网站上看到了关于她的帖子，”他说。“我当时就觉得我必须去看看这只狗。”
全家人驱车两小时去看望朱诺，她当时被安置在田纳西州东部的一家收容所。“她瘦骨嶙峋，差点就要被安乐死了，”切斯特说。“她被送到收容所是因为她之前的饲主不了解比利时马里努阿犬。”幸运的是，切斯特做到了。多年前，他担任执法人员时就认识并喜爱上了这个犬种。
“我以前参与过警犬训练，我们用的都是比利时马里努阿犬，”他说。“我喜欢它们的工作热情和永不放弃的精神。”除了是警犬的热门选择外，这种犬种也经常被用于作战。事实上，据信协助海豹突击队击毙奥萨马·本·拉登的那只狗就是比利时马里努阿犬。
沐浴在爱与关怀之中
虽然这种犬种在巡逻和战斗中都展现出了卓越的能力，但切斯特还是需要确保朱诺能够成为他小儿子的合格服务犬。“我给她系上宽松的牵引绳，她跟着我走，从来没有拉扯过，”切斯特说。“接下来是卢卡斯测试。他们俩一见如故，就像知己一样。”亨布里一家把朱诺带回家，对她充满了爱和关怀。
“我想确保她有足够的时间适应这个家庭，然后再开始正式训练，”切斯特说。然而，从一开始，他们之间似乎就有一种与生俱来的默契。有一天，切斯特注意到朱诺在卢卡斯坐在轮椅上时绕着他转圈。“她呜咽着，用鼻子蹭他，”切斯特说。“我检查了他的血氧饱和度，发现非常低。”给他吸氧后，卢卡斯恢复了正常，朱诺也用舔舐和亲昵来迎接他。
“那时我就知道她有能力察觉到他的神经系统变化，”切斯特说。“现在，每当卢卡斯即将癫痫发作或血氧饱和度骤降时，她都会提醒我们。她已经救了他好几次了。”朱诺成了卢卡斯走路时可以倚靠的肩膀，也是他情绪激动时的安抚剂。切斯特虽然会确保朱诺有休息时间，但他表示很难让朱诺离开卢卡斯身边。“你总能看到他们俩形影不离，”他说，“感觉就像是命中注定一样。”
想了解更多关于卢卡斯的信息，你可以去他爸爸在Facebook上以卢卡斯的视角写的页面。
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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...