Paws Michigan: I am the mother of a daughter and grandson with Aspergers. Ourgrandson is 9 and is getting a lot of help from Easter Seals of Oakland County of Michigan and we have high hopes for his future. My daughter was diagnosis 2 years ago with aspires, it took longer because she has IDDM, Learning disability and was born without a thyroid, all of these cause depression. (I am trying to give a little background.) Ourdaughter workers with Easter Seals also, but because her Aspergers was diagnosis as an adult things move a lot slower. MAIN POINT, Our daughter has a 7 year old lab mix and he has been be trainingclasses when he was about 2 and did very well. Our problem now is he is so very, very protective of her and people around her he is starting to growl and go after anyone who comes to close to her (except me). She is living with her sister and us until she can get disabilty other wise she would be homeless, and we want let that happen. Her dog needs training so her can live is a house of 3 adults and 3 teenagers plus the 9 year old who is in many ways more like a 6 year old. I had a training interview on 8/1/09 and he thinks the dog can be broken of the over protection and a few small problems. I sold my only gold to gave him a $140.00 and am going to try to raise the other $600.00 by September there is no time limit. But now he has snapped at 1 of my granddaughters and I don't want him to hurt anyone, for one thing my daughter would never get over itif anyone or even another animal was harmed. This dog is her life, no one can bring her back from withdrawing like he can. But we know if hebrakes shin he has to be put down. Maybe we can find a home for him and get her a new puppy, but mentally this will hurt her so much and set her back in her recovery. God I truly am at my ( and my families) wits end. Does anyone have any other resources we can go to. My husband and I are in our late 60's and want her to be safe before our health gets worse, her father is already unable to leave the house and we need to get her ready to be move on her own we can move her back with us but this makes her feel like a failure, even through she is living with her sister it not the same has having to move back with us. She stays with us a few time a month so her sister and family can have a break. I am truly sorry this is so very long, but there is so much to try to say how much this dog means to my daughters life.
Thank You
Sue from Madison Heights MI