WE SUPPORT RUTLAND MANOR - A SUPPORT LETTER FOR BEVERLEY

Dear Lovers of Australian Labradoodles,

I'm writing this letter to share with you my experiences with Levi, an Australian Labradoodle from the service dog lines of Ms. Beverley Manners' Rutland Manor.  Our story is a bit different from the traditional "I love my pet" genre, and I believe it is an important one to share with the canine-community world-wide.

I am a 55 year old, happily married woman with four sons, living in the Sonoran Desert of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. For over 17 years, I have been diagnosed as having the illness Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disorder of the neurological/muscular systems, characterized by severe muscular pain, over-whelming exhaustion, and sleep disturbances.  As a result of my extreme symptoms, I am no longer able to work in my profession as a teacher and am classified as fully disabled by the Social Security Department of the United States Federal Government.  Due to the severity of my pain, I'm frequently unable to carry out normal household tasks. Sadly, I have often been unable to be fully involved with the hands-on details related to the raising of my four sons. That particular aspect of having a chronic illness brought me true emotional agony, as well as the anxiety and stress it brought to our family of six.

I was urged by my physician to consider obtaining a Certified Service Dog to help me cope with the physical limitations I experience regarding balance in walking, retrieving items I sometimes drop, (e.g; eyeglasses, car keys, etc.) or successfully completing an assortment of household chores requiring pulling motion or carrying.   An additional concern was providing me with companionship during the daytime while my sons were at school and my husband was at work. 

Through my research on the internet, I was introduced to Canine Crossroads**, a foundation established to provide Certified

Service Dogs to people with various disabilities.  Beverley Manners has donated many Australian Labradoodles to Canine Crossroads in support  of their mission to match those with disabilities to the best-trained, appropriately matched Certified Service Dogs. Ms. Manners has focussed her breeding practices on the development of the dogs' intelligence, intuitive nature, hypo-allergenic qualities and gentle bearing --- the precise characteristics so essential in a service or therapy dog.

Were it not for Beverly Manner's devotion to the development of the Australian Labradoodle breed,  I would still be spending my days alone in my bedroom, feeling completely without purpose.  I'd be unable to venture out into the world to experience the wonders of nature and life (the very least of which includes the "daily grind" of grocery shopping for family, walking to the mail box to retrieve correspondence and bills, attending church or visiting the local library).  Through Levi, who has been nick-named "The Wonderdog", Ms. Manners helped me become, once again, a functioning mother for my children, partner to my husband and a participating member of my community.  But in addition, Beverley Manners, quite literally, saved my life.

Before Levi arrived as my Certified Service Dog, I felt helpless and "pointless" due to my restricted physical abilities.  I had attempted suicide and was fully prepared to attempt it again, this time "successfully".  Today, however, I thank God and Ms. Manners that I no longer feel or think that way. Levi, the Wonder Dog, has totally changed that perspective.  This large, chocolate-colored Australian Labradoodle's role in my life goes far beyond that of a family pet or companion. In truth, Levi is NOT my pet; he is a vital tool in my life as a disabled person, making it possible for me to function in the world outside my room.  Levi has given me back my dignity as a self-sufficient adult and enabled me to experience the joy of simply being alive and functioning in the world around me.  

My days with Levi by my side include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

-He starts each day bounding out the front door to retrieve the daily newspaper, which he brings to my bedside. He then licks my face awake and cuddles next to me as I read the events taking place in the world.

-When I go to the closet to get my clothes and ready myself  for the day, I'm confident things will be where they should, for the previous evening, Levi went through our home and picked up all the stray shoes, sweaters, etc. and brought them to my closet. He then deposited them in a basket for me to sort and file appropriately.

- Getting breakfast is easier for me now that Levi has been trained to open the pantry and refrigerator doors, which are sometimes too heavy and tight for me to open myself.

-With Levi by my side, wearing his specially-made harness,  I am now able to walk confidently, free from fear of falling, left alone with no means of help to get up. Levi accompanies me as I go grocery shopping, ever vigilant to pick up items I may drop, such as my reading-glasses or house keys.  He is even able to carry small parcels into the house and is currently learning to drag larger grocery bags by their handles.  

(Related Note: Before Levi, I could not carry groceries into the house due to my weakened muscles. I live in Tucson, which is located in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona.  Temperatures here can easily reach over 110 degrees in the summer. This is especially problematic as food  spoils quickly if left in the car for even a single hour. So Levi has actually helped keep the family food budget in check!)

- In the afternoons, Levi opens the clothes washer door for me and places soiled clothes into it, one item at a time. He also puts the wet clothes into the dryer.  This is a sincerely appreciated task, since wet blue jeans are notoriously heavy and difficult to lift!  When the dry cycle is completed and I've placed the  clothes in a basket, Levi pulls it to the appropriate room.

-During Tucson's cooler evenings, Levi, my husband, and I frequently visit one of our local dog parks.  Levi bounds after thrown tennis balls, romps with a wide assortment of canine buddies, or simply rests beside us.  The three of us savor the quiet beauty of desert sky as its painted by the setting sun.  Later, Levi joins us at home as we listen to music, debate national politics, or watch television. During this time of repose, my husband will join me brushing Levi's beautiful coat of hypo-allergenic hair into soft waves.  It's a pleasurable, bonding activity for all of us.

-When we go to bed, Levi falls asleep in his special crate, only inches from my side. My husband sleeps secure in the knowledge that should I awaken and need to walk to the bathroom, Levi will rush to my side and safely accompany me through the darkened room.

Levi’s value to me and to my family is immeasurable. My life has resumed a liberating level of quality due to the consideration and kindness of those committed to the development, raising and training of service dogs. This generosity has graced my life;  my days and nights are filled with the exquisite gift of normalcy because Levi is by my side.  Were it not for Beverley Manners, it would not be so, and I celebrate with gratitude Ms. Manner's gift to both the canine and the human world.

UPDATE:  A STATEMENT FROM JOAN PERTAINING TO THE CAMPAIGN WAGED BY THE ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST COMMUNITY: That some deeply misguided people within the animal-rights community have waged a campaign on the internet based on lies and innuendo, have trespassed on the grounds of Rutland Manor itself, and committed criminal acts against the property and belongings of Ms. Manners, (incredibly, this includes Ms. Manners' deeply loved and meticulously cared for Australian Labradoodles) is absolutely heartbreaking for me to even imagine.  Yet, these cruel atrocities have, indeed, taken place and those committing them have thus far, done so with impunity.  These acts and the falsehoods which fuel them are standing as a horrendous testimony to the ethics and standards of Australia at large and the Australian animals-right community in specific.  How any individual or group could conspire to deprive those persons still waiting in their bedrooms in quiet desperation for a "miracle on four paws"  to enter their lives and help them become full members of society is beyond all reasonable comprehension.