He's five years old and is a great help to me with my disability. Rebel has a definite sense of humor, which keeps me laughing and chuckling. Although he was trained to help me with physical tasks, he often performs the job hearing dogs provide -- he tells me when someone is at the front door, if I don't hear the knock. I can judge who it might be by the way he tells me: close friends are announced by a definite and delighted "dance." He comes flying down the hall to get me, looks at me, and actually dances about! The more frantic he is, the closer the friend! The mailman might get a half dance, but Auntie Mel and Uncle Pat rate a 10 star dance of delight!

I know my friends who have hearing dogs are dependent on their dogs' ability to alert them to sounds, but I'm convinced Rebel is the only one who alerts with such a positive flair!

Rebel is trained to get me to my feet when spinal arthritis would keep me lying down. I had spinal surgery as a child and now have lots of trouble moving about freely. With a special harness, or in a pinch, a tug toy, Rebel can have me standing in about 6 seconds flat! He picks up everything I drop and gives it back to me, and he helps pull a grocery cart for me. He can help me up a few stairs, or pull me uphill. When I use my power wheelchair, he thinks he's pulling me, but I'm really exercising him! He has to trot to keep up, and that makes it a great workout for him! Although the law regards Rebel as much more than a pet, and although his work for me is vital to my independence, I love him just as much as anyone else would love their dog!

His ability to make me laugh is just as important as his efforts to keep me going. If only he could talk in human-speak, the stories he could tell!

Below is a poem I wrote shortly before I was matched to Rebel. In those times, I was talking to former graduates of our dog school, NEADS, and visiting them to hear how their service dogs helped them out all day, every day. Their stories helped me write the poem. Those people and their dogs inspired me then, as they do now, with their heroic struggles, day after day. Now that I've had Rebel for 3 years, I see that the poem very much fits US as a team.

He is sometimes my arms, sometimes my legs, and is always in my heart.

Hope you like the poem!

-- Kathy & Rebel

When I perform a task for you,
a quick pat or a kind word are all the thanks I need.
When you hurt,
I try to make you feel better with my silly antics and my persistent desire to comfort you.

When your legs or arms don't work,
mine will gladly take over for you.
If I can save you steps or if I can reach what you can't,
tell me and I will retrieve it for you. All I need in return is love.

When pain or despair fills your day,
let me relieve it.
I give kisses that have healing powers and I provide warm companionship.
I do it gladly, for you are mine and I am yours, and all I need is love.

"Bad days" are not in my job description:
I work for you and provide for you under almost every condition known to man and dog.
If I can't help you, due to an injury or illness,
I am still worried about you and concerned for you, and all I need is love.

The days may be long and full,
but still, I do my best for you, my partner,
because this is my very life.
I live to help you and all I need is love.

In the mornings, rain or shine, snow or sleet,
I am ready to do my job to the best of my ability.
In the afternoons and evenings,
I am still helping you any way I can. All I need is love.

When nights are long and quiet,
I am still alert and waiting to assist you.
Just call my name and I am there.
When nights are long, and tossing and turning is what you're doing,
I am ready to soothe you and help you find sleep. All I need is love.

Today, tomorrow and every day, I am there for you in many ways.
My job is to serve you.
My joy and my reason for being is to assist you to do whatever you can't do alone.
This is what I live for. And all I need is love.

Some people call me hero - perhaps I am.
Day after day, hour after hour,
I am there for you:
Helping, loving, helping, loving. And all I need is love.

© 1995 Kathleen McKeon

Kathy(left), daughter Rebecca and of course, Rebel
Photo courtesy of Winthrop Studios