August 2006, Pet of the Month

Phoebe - The Rescue Dog Who Rescued Us

By Sue Mayberry, Hammond, Indiana

Phoebe

My daughters and I had gone to the annual Humane Society book sale, and afterward, they dragged me around the corner to the shelter. They were hoping to find a dog to replace Emily, who had recently died. I agreed to go along, but I’d already made up my mind—I wasn't looking for another dog. Losing our previous dog, Emily, had been hard, and I didn't think I could go through that again.

While my daughters looked around, I wandered into the "Big Dog" room. In the very first kennel was a dog whose eyes looked so deeply sad that I couldn't walk away. I stood there and cried. Something about her reached me, and in that moment, I knew I had to bring her home.

Phoebe's past had not been an easy one. She had been found in Gary, Indiana, pregnant and suffering from heartworms. The Humane Society cared for her until she was healthy enough for adoption. I submitted my application that day, then waited anxiously for approval. Leaving her behind was the hardest part.

When Phoebe finally came home, we bonded immediately. She was gentle, quiet, and slow-moving, with a calm presence that filled the house in a way I didn't know I needed.

Phoebe had a deep fear of loud noises, likely the result of whatever hardships she had experienced before being rescued. Yet she was never far from the people she loved.

One of Phoebe's most special relationships was with my grandson, Alex, who has autism. Whenever he visited, Phoebe stayed close to him, especially when he napped beneath a little "card table circus tent" I had set up. It was as though she had appointed herself guardian of his private sanctuary. Curled beside him, she became a living weighted blanket, providing comfort and reassurance. Somehow, she seemed to know exactly what he needed.

She was an amazing dog. Alex was able to walk her on a leash from the time he was two years old. She never tugged. It was adorable to see this big dog strolling down the street with a little blond toddler proudly holding her leash. She would never have hurt her best buddy. Because I babysat Alex about 10 hours a day for nearly two years, I think Phoebe came to believe he was her little brother.

Looking back, I believe Phoebe gave Alex far more than companionship. She provided a steady anchor and a source of emotional security. Studies have found that companion dogs can provide emotional support and help reduce stress for many children with autism. (1) The confidence and calm Phoebe inspired may have helped him better manage his emotions and navigate challenges at school.

Phoebe also took her job as household "floor cleaner" very seriously. When my daughter's twins were learning to feed themselves, Phoebe would carefully position herself between their high chairs to make sure no food went to waste. Not a crumb escaped her attention.

Despite her size, Phoebe was remarkably quiet. In all the years I had her, she never barked—not once. Yet she communicated volumes through her steady presence, her watchful eyes, and her devotion to the people she loved.

I rarely went anywhere without her. In her later years, she found an unexpected best friend. One day while Phoebe and I were walking through a large field, a dog came racing toward us. I shouted to the owner to call his dog back. He yelled, "Bitch!" and I indignantly replied, "Pardon me?" It took me a moment to realize he was simply asking whether Phoebe was female. Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, he assured me, "They'll be fine."

And they were.

His dog, Buckley, became Phoebe's best friend. Buckley's owner was a retired British Army officer from Yorkshire, and the four of us spent many happy hours walking together.

Some dogs leave a hole in your heart when they're gone. Phoebe was one of those dogs.

Even now, I miss settling into my chair at night without my instant fuzzy foot warmer curled beside me.

I had Phoebe for almost nine years and I hope I gave her as much love, comfort, and security as she gave me.

References

Service dogs or therapy dogs for autism, AutismSpeaks.Com. While this article discusses the choice between Service Dogs or Therapy Dogs, it also addresses companion dogs. "As mentioned, a well-trained family pet can be a wonderful calming influence for someone who has autism. An affectionate dog provides unconditional love and friendship on a daily basis. Walking the dog provides both exercise and a “social magnet” to ease conversation with other children."