Big Beau is my right leg!

by Edmund Alparone
(new jersey)

7 years ago I had a bad I injury and lost most of the use of my right foot and had lost last of it to a amputation. I had just got Beau a year before and resided to him becoming my service balance dog.

When I stated the training to both my surprise and the trainer Beau seemed to know just what I needed. The trained said he had never seen any dog pick things up so quickly. If I walk too fast he slows me. If I stumble forward he cuts in front and stops me from hitting the ground with his massive 165 point body (yes he is a big one). When I go up steps If there is no railing he takes every step with me so I can use his harness for balance. Of the railing is there he goes to the top of the steps and locks in so I can use the bungi lease to pull myself up and defer my weight.

People are always surprised that no commands are ever needed he just knows, sometimes I think we share one brain. I never make him wear a vest and always take time for people who are interested in his work. Still Beau is kind and sweet to strangers but has his own mind on who to trust and when to be weary. This has proved to be priceless as I trust his judgement as it has never disappointed.

When Beau has to retire I will be relocated to a wheel chair until he passes. I could never let him see me leave the house with another dog for his giant heart would break. The good news is the vet says Beau is not getting older he is getting better. Since his training when he is with me I have only hit the ground 1 time. Well hell nobody is perfect. But big Beau is close.