Hearing Dog Training

The HDP received this email from Jack Byers. Clover Belle is a Cocker Spaniel mix placed with him by the HDP. Jack will be sharing Clover's adventures with us in this blog and on the HDP web site. (www.hearingdogprogram.org)

Dear Friends,

My fourteen year old Hearing Dog "Clover Belle" is getting on in years now. The level of communication we have developed with each other would have been unimaginable to me ten years ago. She has saved my house a couple of times. I have learned what certain gestures and behaviors mean, and she can not only tell me that there is someone at the door, but who it is! Faced with the inevitable, I've felt at a loss. It would be very hard to readjust to living without all the complex things a hearing dog helps me to do.

She is in great health. She still gets compliments from strangers who tell me that she is one of the most beautiful dogs they've ever seen. Her calm nature, eager smile, and happy tail speak volumes about her. It has truly been one of my life's most wonderful experiences having her in my life. I find her to be as irresistible today as she was the first time I laid eyes on her, and she showed me her smile.

She has never seemed to quit learning. All she has to know is that I want her to do a particular behavior, and she will start trying to do it. She has a remarkable understanding of her job, and I've learned to always listen to her when she is trying to tell me about something.

Going to the store is always a treat to her, as she has made many friends of the folks that work there. She actually remembers her friends, and searches them out at the stores and restaurants we frequent. On one such recent trip, she had seen her two favorite staffers and as usual had a little more spring in her step as we walked out to my pick-up. Then she got that "I'm worried" look on her face, and started crying and pulling me off in a different direction than where our little truck was parked. At first I wanted to make her come with me, but then I remembered a policeman and his dog we had met. His parting words to me were, "Always trust your dog!". I repeat those words to myself whenever she wants to do something different as we go along.

So, I followed her, and she quickly led me over to an SUV parked in the next row over. There we found an elderly lady laying face down on the hot asphalt. Apparently she had been overcome by the very high temperature that day, and fainted, as she started to get out of her air-conditioned Escalade. She was now conscious and crying, and had bruises and scrapes. A couple of young guys nearby noticed the commotion, and ran over to help. One had already called 911, and in just moments the paramedics were there. Clover just sat quietly beside the lady, and didn't make a sound until the paramedics' truck pulled up. As they started to exit their truck, Clover started barking, and wagging her tail. She wanted to check out the paramedics, before she would let them near her downed lady. We stayed close by until they got the lady on a gurney, and loaded into their truck, and at that point she barked and wagged a couple more times, and she was ready to go on to our little pick-up. That's my girl!

And that's why I always listen to her.

Thank you so very much for what you do. You all exemplify dedication.
Thank You, Thank You All,
Kindest regards,
Clover Belle and Jack Byers