Meet Fluffy

Fluffy was John’s mother’s service dog. Having lost her ability to speak due to aphasia, Fluffy helped John's mother with everything. From keeping her out of danger, keeping her mood up, and helping her socialize. She trained to follow a “person” up to 25 miles (not that her person ever got that far anyway)!

Fluffy was initially trained to assist a child with epilepsy and was a perfect fit for someone with early-onset Alzheimer’s. After serving John’s mother nobly, the family retained Fluffy for John’s father so she could “retire” and live a life of relative ease. As a working dog, she is reasonably well-traveled, having seen the world in RVs, cruise ships, and airplanes.

A couple of years ago, Fluffy developed lameness issues off and on. X-rays were administered, and she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. Fluffy’s lameness eventually got worse, and she began showing signs of neurological issues. After seeing the neurologist and several tests later, including an MRI, we discovered that Fluffy suffers from a hereditary disorder called DM (degenerative myelopathy).

Since there is no cure, we recommend a treatment available called intensive physical rehabilitation for supportive care, which she received at ACE of Paws. Dr. Esquivel and John took her into their herd to offer Fluffy the therapy she needed and deserved. We called the care we gave her “assisted living” until it ultimately became hospice.

By nature, she was always ready to comfort any person or animal in distress. We’re happy to have helped her cross the rainbow bridge and can now be sure she is romping and roaming free!