A year ago, at the urging of my doctor, I brought little Porter Storm into my life as my Service Animal. You see, I’m allergic to trees and have a ton of food allergies too. I’m always asked what breed he is – Porter is a Mini Multigenerational Australian Labradoodle. Basically, he is the most hypoallergenic dog on the planet. He is smart like the Poodle, loyal like a Lab, has the spunk of the American and English Cocker Spaniels, and looks like the Portuguese Water Dog. Porter is taller than most minis at 19 inches and weighs 22 pounds on most days, but is a little heavier after he eats bacon, which he absolutely loves! This is the little story I shared on Instagram about the impact Porter has had on my life in just the one year since I brought him home to Alaska.
Last year I stopped traveling and was mostly a shut in. I was advised not to go outside or to my garden alone. I was having allergic reactions a few times a week and I was very, very sick. I was in a deep depression and had stopped writing. Hard to be a travel writer when you can’t travel and lost the love for writing.
That tongue just kills me – this is his happy face.
I traveled 4000+ miles to pick up Porter Storm… I was scared and nervous. I was not blessed with children and it felt like this little guy was my boy from the moment I held him in my arms.
Funny, not funny… I remember when I first picked him up that he smelled like poo… he had just went in his crate and then stepped in it. Then rolled in it. OMG I thought was going to die. I took him into the airport bathroom and pulled out the wipes I brought with me and gave him his first bath in the sink. That would not be the last time there was a Poo Apocalypse either!
Those puppy eyes slay me every time!
This last year hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it.
I was in over my head with puppy training a super smart dog who is very strong willed. Oh, but the love he gave me is something I can’t describe. He opened my heart up with his puppy kisses and snuggles. I didn’t feel so alone, so desolate, so depressed.
Little by little I came back to the land of the living. I started writing again, I went back to CrossFit, I went for walks outside in the woods. We went camping too! I walked out of that depression with Porter Storm by my side.
He Instinctually Knows When I’m Not OK
This past summer, Porter notified me twice when my throat was closing, giving me precious extra minutes to get meds. He jumped in my arms and started licking my neck, which was not something he normally did. Sure enough, I was having trouble swallowing as my throat started to tighten up.
He’s still all puppy and is happiest at the dog park being chased and outrunning the big dogs. He is super fast! Then he comes home and cuddles up with me on the couch. He demands to be held like a baby and will push my phone out of my hands or my laptop over to get attention. Heaven forbid I interrupt his nap time though for cuddles. 🙂
He’s also very protective. If you are a guy and want to get close to his mama… don’t even think about it 😂. If you try to kiss me just know Porter will try to push his head in between us – no kissing his mama!
I’m so happy Porter is in my life, he has already done his job in saving it. ❤️
View this post on Instagram
A few other Porter Storm Posts
Pin it for Later
Leave a Reply