Reading emails about our friend’s daughter’s service dog through 4 Paws for Ability sparked the realization that through no effort of our own we have been sent a service dog, of sorts.

I blogged earlier this month about the tragic loss of our dog, Laser, and about my ambivalent feelings around this loss, since Laser was not meshing with LuLu’s many challenging traits. I also blogged about the coincidental chance we had at helping out one of Kay Kay’s friends by taking their dog since they were moving. Thus Mudflap has entered our lives.

Her name has been a great cause for consternation among our extended family and friends. She’s a Miniature Pinscher and not really as befitting of “Mudflap” as say a hound dog might have been. But she answers to it extremely well, so we’ve been hesitate to change it unless we can find something that sounds similar enough that she doesn’t notice the difference. Nothing seems to rhyme with Mudflap!

A few days ago, LuLu was sitting on the floor petting Mudflap. This is amazing in and of itself, since LuLu NEVER sat on the floor petting Laser. Not only would Laser get to rough, but LuLu’s anxiety would then be triggered and she would lash out at Laser. It was a vicious cycle that was replayed nearly daily at our house. I was the intermediary, trying to keep the two separated. Laser had to stay outside or in his crate during our school time, because he would invariably bark and trigger LuLu’s noise aversion, or would chew up school supplies or other items when I wasn’t looking.

Ok, I digressed… back to my Mudflap story…

“Mom, what is she doing?” LuLu’s voice had a hint of panic in it. “Is she trying to bite me?” I looked down to see Mudflap laying on her back for her tummy rub and also playfully placing LuLu’s hand in her mouth, ever so carefully.

“No, she’s trying to play.” It was the first playful thing she had done in the week she’d been here. She was very affectionate from the start, but not playful.

We trekked out later in the day for a toy and upon giving it to her the fun really began. It was as if this expression of affection on our part (giving her a toy) solidified her bond with us. Mudflap proudly carries the toy with her everywhere. (She’s eaten it’s face off). She initiates play, often with LuLu first. LuLu has reciprocated by learning how to play gently enough and how not to get frustrated if Mudflap no longer feels like retrieving.

In fact, as I was tucking LuLu into her sleeping bag downstairs last night (big sis had several friends sleeping over and all children were in the basement), she asked if Mudflap could join her instead of going to her crate nearby. I plopped Mudflap down beside LuLu and both smiled up at me, as if to say…Thanks Mom!

What a blessing we’ve been given for LuLu…a companion she can learn so much from!