Misha embodied the essence of a therapy dog. First and foremost, Misha was my own personal therapy dog. I got Misha during the darkest period of my life. I had lost my health to a chronic illness along with the ability to work (and all the financial, achievement and social benefits that go along with working) and to play (I skied, roller-skated, worked out at the gym, etc.). I had also lost my fiancé to cancer and all our hopes and dreams for the future. That same year, I also lost my fiancé's dog, his mother and my grandmother.

Misha gave me a reason to get up in the morning, to smile, to live rather than just exist. He was very high strung and fearful and was my first dog. I called a trainer on the phone and begged her to come to the house to help me train him. She adamantly refused telling me to get him into a class for the socialization. I was not very happy with that advice at the time, but now I realize how right she was. After just few weeks of puppy kindergarten class, Misha got over his fear and became very friendly towards people and dogs. He was still very high strung and had zero attention span. We continued with obedience classes and they became something to look forward to - an outing to spend quality time together and build our relationship. In class we found out about the Canine Good Citizen test and Therapy Dogs International. Misha passed the tests and I decided that going on therapy visits would be a way to give back, to share some of the joy that Misha brought to me with others. We started visiting the Andover Subacute and Rehab. Center Two in January, 1993 and continued to visit there until August of this year. I'm not sure who enjoyed the visits more, Misha or the residents. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, Misha would start barking. He knew where he was and why he was there. Over the years we made a lot of friends there. Back then, it was usually only Misha and I. Occasionally, we would find someone who would come for a couple of months and then drop out. I am so grateful for Caring Paws and being able to have others join us on visits.

We continued our obedience training and I decided to enter Misha in an obedience trial just to see how we would do - I didn't think we would pass as he was so easily distracted. He surprised me by taking third place. We got bitten by the competition bug. I purchased a dumbbell and a set of jumps and we began seriously training. Misha was beginning to love training and our relationship was becoming stronger. Misha earned his Companion Dog title in 3 days with multiple placements and his Companion Dog Excellent title, also with multiple placements and very nice scores.

During this time I became aware of Canine Companions for Independence and the help that assistance dogs provide to people with disabilities. I decided that I wanted to learn how to train dogs to help people. I did not dream at the time that I would be the one needing the help. Shortly after I had taught Misha to retrieve, I seriously hurt my back. I was in constant pain; the only relief was sleep. Every step I took was excruciating. I was living alone and just the basic daily activities became monumental challenges. If it weren't for Misha, I don't know what I would have done. He would help me take off my socks and jeans and carry the socks to the laundry basket for me. As he was only 10 pounds he couldn't carry the jeans but could grab hold of them and sit for me to take them from him - it was several less inches that I had to bend - and every inch counts when you're in pain. He would also pick up items I dropped: pens, watch, papers, etc. I was living in an apartment at the time and had to walk Misha. This presented a problem as I could barely walk myself. I had Misha pick up his leash and hold it while he jumped on the couch. I would take the leash from him and attach it to his collar and then attach the leash to a long flexi-leash. I hobbled to the door and let him go on his own. Most of that month I spent lying on the floor. Misha, as hyper as he was, was content to lie there with me, offering unconditional love and companionship.

Misha also became a therapy dog for my mother who is head injured and in a wheelchair from an automobile accident. Our visits gave her something to look forward to. Misha took it upon himself to go get my mother's aide if she needed something. If she so much as sneezed, he was off in search of the aide and barked at them until they came to help Mom. I did not teach him to do this.

During the years, besides therapy visits and obedience events, Misha and I have participated in many demonstrations and programs for the community. He was a real crowd pleaser! I think because he was so small and enthusiastic he always got applause. When I'd release him from an exercise he'd jump straight up in the air - this always got a laugh from the audience.

Because Misha was so unusually small and cute, he attracted many people who probably would not have otherwise approached to talk. I have so much to thank Misha for. Not only for the unconditional love and companionship he provided, but for all the doors he opened for me - for all the friends we made together - both human and canine, for all the good times we had at dog events, for all the smiles he brought to the faces of residents on our therapy visits, for giving me purpose and bringing light into my life during my darkest hours, for all the lives he touched in so many ways. I am truly blessed to have had Misha in my life for 9 years.

On Monday I said good-bye to Misha, probably the best friend I will ever have. It was the last gift I could give him, the least I could do for him in return for all he's given me over the years. He was suffering from kidney disease and there was nothing else we could do to make him comfortable or to cure him. He is at peace now. Misha will always have a very special place in my heart - the very best part. I am a better person for having had him in my life.

Karen L. Vogt

10/10/99

Misha

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