Without a doubt, the most difficult decision I've ever made was to have Kobe put down after over 10 years' faithful companionship. He had suddenly gotten much weaker on March 31st, yelping from pain during the night, and having a very difficult time standing or walking. On April 1st, I said good bye to my brother and best friend. If all dogs go to heaven, Kobe has a place of honor among his peers. He created many warm hearts and smiles at the VA hospital over the years. There will always be a spot in my heart that's filled by his memory.
Just 3 weeks after I lost Kobe, I met my new service dog, Schroeder. He and Kobe have completely different personalities, but both captured my heart equally. By the way, a dog's version of personality is caninality. Schroeder was named after the blond kid who sits on the floor, playing the piano in the Charlie Brown cartoons.
Schroeder is as gentle as Kobe was rough; both are clumsy; both are protective, but Schroeder is openly so; Kobe was pretty quiet, while Schroeder loves to hear himself bark; Kobe would pick up anything I dropped, often before I gave him a command, while Schroeder sometimes looks at me as if to say, "You dropped it - you pick it up."
Kobe: Service Dog Extraordinaire
New Horizons Service Dogs, Inc. provided me with much more than a pet. I depend on him to do things for me every day for four years now, and I can't imagine life without him.
It costs over $20,000.00 to breed, raise and train each dog, and NHSDI, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, seeks donors.
To learn more about service dogs or to donate, please contact
New Horizons Service Dogs, Inc.
1590 Laurel Park Ct.
Orange City, FL 32763
Phone: (386) 456-0408
Fax: (386) 456-0409
Or visit their website at:
Cáceres