When Can Do Canines placed Mobility Assist Dog Rufus with Juliet Heinen two years ago, we knew we made a perfect match.
The two were instant best friends (or BFF’s, as Juliet calls them) and Rufus loved assisting Juliet in every way possible, from opening and closing doors or drawers to getting the phone for Juliet in case of an emergency.
But what we didn’t realize was that we also helped facilitate the perfect match of a different sort.
“Rufus is getting married next month to a two-year-old Airedale terrier named Lacie. We’re having a ceremony and everything,” Juliet says.
It’s the real deal. The two dogs met across the alley from each other and have “known each other for a long time” in Juliet’s words, or in other words … two years. The dogs meet up at each other’s houses and yards for get-togethers, either just the two of them, or with a cadre of the neighborhood dogs. They’ll all be at the ceremony.
“Katie, Clyde and Lola will all be coming … it’s going to be grand,” Juliet says. “Rufus is going to be done up in a bowtie and they’re going to exchange hearts on their collars instead of wedding rings.”
But doggy-matrimony aside, Juliet is eternally grateful for her four-year-old Goldendoodle. The 15-year-old high school student from Maple Grove, Minn. relies on him for a variety of tasks.
“I can walk around some, but my hip flexors make it so I can’t bend over past my knees,” Juliet says. “My family isn’t always available to pick things up, so when I drop stuff Rufus does, which is really useful.”
Juliet was born with arthrogryposis, a condition which causes stiff joints and under developed muscles. The condition leaves her unable to move most of her joints and makes routine things like walking and bending over difficult. Juliet doesn’t use a wheelchair often, but when she does Rufus is there not only for mobility support, but emotional support as well.
“When I come home from school, Rufus is whining at the window when I get off the bus. As I roll in the house in my wheelchair, he comes right up and puts his head in my lap,” Juliet says.
“Rufus also has been trained to get the phone if I fall,” Juliet continues. “Fortunately I haven’t fallen yet, but it’s great that he knows how to do that!”
When asked about the impact Rufus has had on her life, Juliet lists as many ways as there are dog breeds. “My life has improved infinitely” “He’s my best friend” “I can’t imagine life without him,” are just a few of the things she shares. But mostly she would like to thank all the puppy raisers, volunteers and supporters who provided her with such an incredible helper, free of charge.
“A million times over, thank you! I want to give you all a big hug. It is truly a life changing experience to have an assistance dog.”
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