Natural Balance and Guide Dogs for the Blind
Dogs are amazing creatures. Some dogs are just there to love you, others are there to work, some are service dogs that help people with daily tasks and some are guide dogs for the blind. One thing that is consistent is they are family.
Maia & Fiddler
Maia was born visually impaired. For many years Maia didn’t even use a cane to help her navigate because she didn’t want to seem different. As she got older and was in college, she reluctantly started using a cane. She wasn’t comfortable with the idea of a guide dog because she felt bad that the dog would have to work for her. But after learning about the bonds that other teams had, she decided to give it a go.
Maia was paired with her current guide dog, Fiddler, through Guide Dogs for the Blind. Since adding Fiddler to her life, she has accomplished so much! She even traveled to Europe on her own, earned a Masters of Fine Art, and much more.
My Pet Story
Many of you know that we have a lot of pets. Even our chickens are pets! I have to say living with a degenerative neurological disease is hard, and you would think taking care of pets would make it harder…but honestly, they keep me moving. No matter what is going on, or how I am feeling, I have to push through to at least care for them. They force me to have to get up and move, get outside, live. My boy Plissken is a major part of keeping me going. He has to go out on a leash. He walks slowly and will pull me a bit to keep me walking when I slow down too much. He follows me like a shadow in my house. He never leaves my side and it helps. My little girl Molly, well she comes to me on my horrible days just to lay and cuddle on the couch.
In the near future, I will be getting a mobility service dog. I know that this dog will also become a part of my daily ability to function. As humans, we are so lucky to have dogs. Unconditional love all the time.
Fostering Dogs
Lately, to give myself more drive and purpose, I have been fostering puppies. So far I have fostered two and rehomed both of them into perfect loving families. I will continue helping more as I can, they help me just as much as I help them.
Helping Guide Dogs
Visit Natural Balance’s National Guide Dog Month web page to donate and support their life-changing mission.
Photo credit: Guide Dogs for the Blind
Do you have a special bond with your pet? Tell me about it in the comments below.
Girl on Fire
Latest posts by Girl on Fire (see all)
- Hey, it’s been a minute… - April 14, 2025
- Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment - January 25, 2023
- How to Help Family With Mental Health Issues? - January 3, 2023
Leave a Reply