Cobberdogs Born To Serve
Dear Beverley,
We had contacted you in early 2002, inquiring about a service/companion dog for our younger daughter who has a progressive neurological disease. You called us on the phone to better understand our daughters needs and to properly set our expectations as to what a Rutlands dog could do for our daughter as well as our entire family. We received Zoey (R85, a.k.a. Lil’ Zoey) from Rutland Manor in 2002 at Boston Logan Airport. You couldn’t have selected a better dog!! Our daughter’s post on her Facebook page put it best: "17 years ago you arrived from Australia to be my companion therapy dog. What we didn't know at the time was that you were really sent by God to be a member of our family. Thank you Zoey for drying our tears, lifting our grief, giving us unconditional love, making us laugh and for being my friend during way too many surgeries, hospitalisations, doctor appointments and therapy sessions. RIP sweet girl. You took a piece of our hearts to heaven with you. We love you sweet Zoey.”
Omni Peck with her best friend Rutlands Lil Zoey
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Zoey would go to doctors appointments with our daughter to keep her relaxed. Every single day, Zoey would wait to go into our daughters room to say good morning and make sure she was OK. Zoey would keep an eye on our daughter when she was receiving her meds and during OT/PT/Speech Therapy Sessions. Zoey had a keen sense when someone wasn’t feeling well.
Zoey graduated in the top of her class for obedience and companion dog training. She was a natural. She was invited to full service dog school, but we couldn’t part with her for that long a period of time (12 months+).
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Zoey had a very healthy life for 17 years (and 2 months). She never ate too much and was never over weight. Only the last couple years did she lose her hearing and have issues on hardwood or tile floors due to the arthritis in her hips/back legs. My wife found some non-slip socks for her back paws, so she could get around without a problem. Zoey got much taller than we had expected, which is why we then got Casey (R318) from Rutland Manor when we moved back to Rochester, New York in 2004. Casey was small/short enough to sit on our daughters lap while in her wheelchair.
Casey was the cutest little dog and always looked like a puppy until the day she passed away shortly before her 14th birthday. Casey didn’t have the focus, gentleness or patience that Zoey did, but she would play fetch perfectly forever. We always had to be the ones to stop and make sure she got a drink of water. She loved laying next to us, leaning against our leg. Casey never over ate and besides some dental issues and seizures, was in good health. Sincerely and with Love,
Donna & Michael Peck and Family
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