One look between me and Bishop was all it took. The bond was set, and we’ve looked out for each other every day since!
Bishop is the great nephew of my first service dog, Georgie, and there are definitely moments when Bishop knows Channing so well that it feels like Georgie is giving him cues!
For example, living with refractory epilepsy means Channing has “good days,” when her brain is calm, and “bad days,” when there’s seizure activity. Bishop knows if Channing is going to have a “good day” or a “bad day” even before she's awake! If it’s going to be a bad day, when I wake up, he’s laying right next to me or on top of me! And if it’s going to be a good day, he’s not concerned at all – he’s snoring or playing with his toys!
For example, living with refractory epilepsy means Channing has “good days,” when her brain is calm, and “bad days,” when there’s seizure activity. Bishop knows if Channing is going to have a “good day” or a “bad day” even before she's awake! If it’s going to be a bad day, when I wake up, he’s laying right next to me or on top of me! And if it’s going to be a good day, he’s not concerned at all – he’s snoring or playing with his toys!
But on those bad days, Bishop’s nose knows, and we find him pushing Channing's sliding door open so he can stick his nose through the door, into the stairwell, and get a whiff of “sweaty seizure scent”. Once he gets that slightest whiff, he’s off to go and get help, AKA Mom!
And when Channing is stuck at home with a debilitating headache from seizure activity, she's still got plenty to do spoiling Bishop with toys, toys, and more toys while he keeps her entertained by just being Bishop!
And when Channing is stuck at home with a debilitating headache from seizure activity, she's still got plenty to do spoiling Bishop with toys, toys, and more toys while he keeps her entertained by just being Bishop!
