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| Maya in St. Louis |
Nearly 7 years ago, my life and soul were forever changed by the arrival of a sweet, brilliant, and sturdy little yellow Labrador Retriever named Maya. As a Hearing Dog assisting her deaf partner (this lucky woman here), Maya was bred and trained by Canine Companions for Independence, a national non-profit organization. Its mission? To enhance the lives of adults and children with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support for the lifetime of these partnerships.
Maya II was born on January 22nd, 2005 to Canine Companions for Independence Breeder Dogs Hemet and Zenda. In order of birth, her littermates were: Mondo (Breeder), McCain (released), [Maya II], Mylyn (Skilled Companion), Manda (released), Maylor (released), Maisee (medically released), and Manny (released).
Maya was raised by a wonderful family of volunteer Puppy-Raisers until she entered Advanced Training with Canine Companions' professional trainer-instructors. Maya and I were matched during the January 2007 Hearing Dog Team Training Class in Santa Rosa, California, graduating five days after her second birthday. To look into her soulful eyes was to see a spirit seemingly older and far wiser than her years.
Maya was raised by a wonderful family of volunteer Puppy-Raisers until she entered Advanced Training with Canine Companions' professional trainer-instructors. Maya and I were matched during the January 2007 Hearing Dog Team Training Class in Santa Rosa, California, graduating five days after her second birthday. To look into her soulful eyes was to see a spirit seemingly older and far wiser than her years.
Our start was underwhelming (I was not convinced she was the right dog for me), but I came to realize that Maya was just what I needed. I strove to provide leadership and love (in that order!), while she offered me sweetness and safety... and so much more. I was routinely stunned by her intelligent and creative application of her Hearing Dog skills. Her desire to work, and her love for her work, was inspiring. Among chosen friends and family members, she let her loving nature shine. Maya showed me, by example, me how extraordinary dogs are and can be. I think we discovered together just how deep The Bond can run.
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| Maya |
"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." - Edith Wharton
Maya, my slow and steady heartbeat, was my beloved partner and trusted ears for six and a half wonderful years, accompanying me through my doctoral studies and walking across the stage with me at graduation. I was stunned and devastated by her sudden, unexpected death from complications of aspiration pneumonia/lung lobe torsion in early July of 2013. She was eight and a half years old.
A Few Feel-Good Things
Maya on The Daily Puppy
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