Project Dax — Life with a Service Dog

I’ve been living with my dog for about two and a half years now, and it’s been quite the experience. Not because he’s my first service dog. Rather, it’s because he’s not a typical service dog breed. Dax isn’t a Labrador Retriever. He’s not a German Shepherd. He is, in fact, an American Pitbull Terrier-Boxer mix. And he’s the sweetest dog I’ve ever had the privilege to know…

I need a service dog for a variety of reasons that I won’t discuss here. Let it be enough for now to know that I need my dog as much, or maybe more, than he needs me.

Dax has saved my life. More than once even. If it wasn’t for him, I honestly wouldn’t be here. It was knowing that I couldn’t leave him that kept me going through those times. Knowing that I needed to be here, for him. Not my kids. Not my family, or my parents. Not my friends. Only Dax.

As I’m sure you can imagine, life hasn’t been all sunshine and roses, but along the way, we’ve forged an incredible partnership that I wouldn’t change for the world.

The biggest challenge we’ve had to face together hasn’t had anything to do with my illness, my particular disorders. It’s been the social stigma around having a pitbull (gasp!) as my service dog. I’ve been asked why him. I’ve been asked (and ordered) to leave establishments with him, simply because of his breed. It’s truly ridiculous.

I remember one time, we were working on some training when he was about nine months old. We were in a local mall, walking up and down the upper floors, working on not reacting to distractions. It was early, there weren’t many people there, and those who were there were primarily eating breakfast in the food court. I walked Dax down the hall toward the escalators when a security guard stopped me. He told me that he had received numerous calls from people, complaining that he was there and that they were afraid of him.

I was very diplomatic, at least, I tried to be. I mean, I was angry, and I’m sure it showed, but I tried. I explained to the guard that we weren’t doing anything wrong. Dax was calm, and only walking by my side up and down the hallway. I had the right to have him there with me, and was willing to show him Dax’s service ID, and paperwork stating that I needed him with me, but was refused. I was told under no uncertain circumstances was I to have him in there with me, paperwork or not.

I didn’t cause a scene. I didn’t argue any further. Instead, I walked Dax outside. I mean, I’m not interested in causing trouble. Dax is a good dog, and does his job well. He knows exactly what to do and when he needs to do it. My reasons for having him were actually exacerbated by the security guard approaching me like that, so there was no point in staying.

I’ve been asked to provide the proper paperwork to prove that he is, in fact, a service animal, and not just a random pet that I don’t want to leave home alone. I’ve had people shriek and curse, telling the young mother behind me in line to be careful because “that beast will tear your son’s face off.” I kid you not. Meanwhile, all Dax was doing on that occasion was sitting calmly beside me, waiting to be told to move up. It was embarrassing, and devastating for us both.

I’ve never once seen another person be asked to provide “proof” of any kind that their animals are valid. I’ve seen people walking through busy malls with three and four dogs, all wearing service vests, and no one questions them. Yet I get stopped regularly and asked to provide said proof.

I know it may seem as though I am whining about unfair treatment, but hear me out: my dog is discriminated against because of what? A few assholes made headlines with their dogs, who just happened to be pitbulls??? Are you kidding me? There are headlines all the time about dog attacks, about dogs biting people, but if they aren’t pitbulls, no one pays attention.

I currently live in Ontario, where there is actually a law in place, banning pitties and dogs with “pitbull-like attributes”… What the hell are those??? You mean to tell me that they can ban a dog because it has a big head??? Are you serious??? I mean really, it’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever read (and yes, I’ve read the laws here. I know what I need to do).

So this ban has been in place for ten years now, and wonder of wonders, the number of pitbull attacks has decreased… Of course it has, there aren’t that many left in the province! But… The number of dog attacks hasn’t actually decreased at all, in fact it’s risen. There are more injuries caused by dogs now than there were ten years ago when the Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) went into effect. Seems like a waste of time to me.

So what then, is Project Dax? When he was a puppy, I started documenting his life. Pictures, videos. Anything he did that I thought was relevant, which , really, is everything. He’s got his own Facebook page, and his own Instagram account. Granted, I don’t update them with much frequency anymore, but I really should be. The point was, and still is, to show that pitties aren’t to be feared. They’re just dogs. The same as any other breed, they need love and affection. Dax is one of the kindest, sweetest, gentlest souls and I wouldn’t trade him for anything. There is nothing in this world that could make me give him up.

Like I said in the beginning, he has saved my life, more than once. He loves me no matter what, and he keeps me feeling safe in situations that I couldn’t handle if it wasn’t for him. I have a better quality of life with him by my side. I can go places I’d never have dreamed of going before. I can do things I’ve never saw myself doing again. Dax has changed my life in more ways than I could ever count, and I am beyond grateful for him.

So if you happen to see us walking down the street, feel free to say hi to me. I’ll even let you say hi to him. Watch us work from a distance if you must, but know that he is the best thing to ever happen to me. Yes, he’s a pittie. Yes, I purposely chose him to be my service dog. Yes, he really is a gentle giant. And no, Dax would never, ever hurt anyone. He’s got the biggest heart I’ve ever seen.

I don’t really care what you think about the validity of service animals, that’s not what this piece is about. I understand the conflict and that’s a debate for another time. This writing, this time, is about Dax himself. About the crap we have to put up with because of discrimination. I’m determined to show that these amazing dogs are just that — amazing! I owe Dax the best life I can give him, because he’s earned it. He’s given me my life back.