RIP Andy IV
by Polly von Thaden on 04/05/11I'm brokenhearted... The third Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) Service Dog we raised passed away this past Friday (1 April 2011). His name was Andy IV. He was born in the summer of 2001 and he started his adventures as a CCI puppy-in-training (PIT) with us in August 2001.
Andy IV was bred by the CCI program from well-tempered parents and was a mix between a Lab and a Golden Retriever. I used to tease him that his mother actually had an affair with a Sharpei 'cuz he had so many, many wrinkles on his forehead! He, of course, never got the joke, but everyone else around him did.
While in our care, we attended CCI - Puget Sound Chapter obedience training classes in Woodinville, WA. We would take him out to restaurants and movies for proper socialization. He even attended Pierce College with me while I was earning my Associates degree!! During one class, Andy IV fell asleep so soundly with the dry drone of the instructor giving his lecture that he started snoring really loud! Everybody started laughing. (I know we all felt the same as poor Andy IV did tho'!! LOL) I had to nudge him with my foot under the desk to get him to stop.
Andy IV was matched after CCI graduation with Dennis Galvin in May 2003 as a wheelchair assist dog. They used to go up to Lake Tahoe to play in the snow as well as "bike" riding (using a special hand-peddled wheelchair that was set up much like a bicycle). Dennis took him to work with him and out on the town. He told me that Andy IV helped him tremendously in his social life as people used to "see through" him before, but with Andy IV in tow they took notice and started treating him with respect and dignity.
Sadly, their relationship as a team was short-lived when Dennis passed away in Dec 2006.
CCI decided that Andy IV was "too old" to be placed with another recipient, so he was retired early and Dennis's family adopted him. He's led a relatively quiet life with this loving family ever since.
Andy IV was put down after a brief, but serious illness. His family didn't want him to suffer any more. Surgery would have helped him hang on for a little while longer, but it would not have changed the outcome. They are planning to have Andy IV cremated and his ashes put to rest with Dennis.
I think this is a very fitting end to a great team!
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