Rutland Manor Breeding & Research Centre
Breeders of Australian Cobberdogs Born to Serve
Breeders of Australian Cobberdogs Born to Serve
Rutlands Australian Cobberdogs Facts & Breed Info.
Levi, Joan Zatorski's service dog in Arizona is a direct descendant of the renowned Rutland Manor therapy and service dog bloodlines developed with selective breeding dogs such as Rutlands Magnum, Rutlands Gabrielle and Rutlands Heritage and carried to current day Rutlands dogs through Rutlands Ava, Rutlands Anya and Rutlands Kelby, the legend in his own time.
Levi's story Published with kind permission of Joan Zatorski - |
In 2008 Levi and I celebrated our first year anniversary together as a certified Service Dog Team. Walking beside one another for the past twelve months, we move in smooth synchronicity. Often before I even utter a command or make a hand signal directing him, Levi senses my need or intention.
As I was, literally, researching the “best" way to end my life, I was notified by Canine Crossroads Foundation that Levi was ready for me and I should get myself to Texas for two solid weeks of service dog training with him ASAP. It’s my firm belief that an angel named Beverley Manners, or her agent-at-arms, helped to facilitate the timing of that announcement. What a blessing it has been! |
Levi has enabled me to go out into the world, no longer fearing that folks will whisper, "Look at her loopy walk, she's drunk! What a shame!" or that I might fall and have no one to help me to get up. On the days that I am well, I'm half way decent. But before Levi came into my life, a flare up of symptoms would land me in a kind of hell.
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Levi has certainly changed all that.Now if I'm too ill to do errands with him walking beside me, Levi seems content to lie next to me on my bed or sofa. He's ever ready to accompany me to the bathroom,offering the balance and support I need during those times, and even brings me my slippers, one by one.
Oh Beverley, Levi is growing so well as a service dog! His intuition is amazing as is his devotion. I've had many problems with serious flares this summer and have been bed-bound for a week or so each time. |
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As my primary source of support for physical balance and item-retrieval, this 70-pound, wavy-haired, chocolate-colored ‘dog helps me move through life with a grace and confidence I thought I’d lost forever. Levi is so fully a part of my every motion, it’s hard to believe we haven’t always been together.
How did I even live before Levi? If truth be told, life before Levi was not much of a life. In the weeks before we met face-to-face, I believed I could no longer cope with the all-over body pain and un-ending exhaustion that comes with having fibromyalgia (which is now known to be a neuro-muscular disorder). I not only wanted to "give up" by hiding under my blankets in bed, but truly wanted my life to be over. I believed my chronic illness had been rendered me 'purpose-less'. |
This handsome, kind, insightful and skilled dog has enabled me to re-enter the world and function in a way I thought had been taken from me forever. He has been the source of my personal renaissance and for that, I owe him my loyalty, love and care even beyond the time when we may no longer be able to walk together, side by side.
Joan Zatorski, Arizona |