Here is Marvin. He is a cheerful 4-year-old cocker spaniel. Just as stubborn as his owner, full of energy, and he loves teddy bears.
“So, do you go hunting?” I am often asked when I talk to someone about him. No, Marvin is a family dog and couch dog like many other hunting dogs. In addition, he is also a home-trained service dog. Some then ask why we have chosen the breed, while others are more interested in what a service dog is.
Why a cocker spaniel?
We chose the breed because, among other things, we like their mind, stubbornness, energy, manners and intelligence. And the almond-shaped eyes are also something we can't stand. But that's not why we chose a cocker spaniel.
We chose the breed because it is the perfect match for us. We chose Marvin because he is the right one for what a dog should be able to do in our family.
Help dog
What does that actually mean?
Marvin is not a trained service dog, but is a home-trained assistance dog.
I have various autoimmune diseases. Some days I can do a lot, and other days the arthritis is annoying.
It's on the bad days that Marvin can really make a difference for me.
In the evening he snuggles up to me. It gives me peace and warms my sore joints. His heavy, regular breathing helps me fall asleep, and because he moves during the night, I get to move too and wake up less stiff.
The physical part
During the day he follows me around the house. If I drop something, he picks it up if asked.
He signals when he thinks I need a break, and if I need to get up from the floor, I can use him to support me. We are constantly expanding with new tasks.
The best part is that he keeps me physically active throughout the day. There are the walks. The toys to pick up, the laughter, the exercise and everything else.
The psychological part
The mental is at least as important as the physical. The fact that he follows me around the house means that I never feel alone. It makes a huge difference. He is there if I get upset, and when he looks at me lovingly and listening with his beautiful brown eyes, I get the feeling that everything will be okay. He puts me in a good mood.
Marvin is a fantastic support in my everyday life. In every way.
It sounds so rosy.
It's not always rosy. Having a dog is a permanent job. It's a commitment. It doesn't matter what the dog is used for.
It requires a lot of training, respect and patience.
Sometimes he has days when he's a wild dog. Where he might think his name is no last name. Where he constantly insists on the right to sit on my lap, and his nickname Klister fits perfectly. There has to be room for those days too.
I have my practice days where everything is a mess. Yes, why should the dog be any different from its owner? Those days Marvin gives me space to have. So he gets to have his too. Luckily, we have mostly good days.
We collect them. Marvin and I.
Behind the blog
Charlotte is approaching 50. She works in accounting by day. She loves taking pictures, writing and reading, is interested in healthy eating and gluten-free baking. She spends a lot of time growing vegetables and gardening.
Marvin is a brown 4-year-old stubborn and happy ft cocker. He is a spoiled couch dog, family dog and home-trained service dog. He loves teddy bears and new adventures. As long as there is no vacuum cleaner in the adventure.
Meet Marvin the service dog
Here is Marvin. He is a cheerful 4-year-old cocker spaniel. Just as stubborn as his owner, full of energy, and he loves teddy bears.
“So, do you go hunting?” I am often asked when I talk to someone about him. No, Marvin is a family dog and couch dog like many other hunting dogs. In addition, he is also a home-trained service dog. Some then ask why we have chosen the breed, while others are more interested in what a service dog is.
Why a cocker spaniel?
We chose the breed because, among other things, we like their mind, stubbornness, energy, manners and intelligence. And the almond-shaped eyes are also something we can't stand. But that's not why we chose a cocker spaniel.
We chose the breed because it is the perfect match for us. We chose Marvin because he is the right one for what a dog should be able to do in our family.
Help dog
What does that actually mean?
Marvin is not a trained service dog, but is a home-trained assistance dog.
I have various autoimmune diseases. Some days I can do a lot, and other days the arthritis is annoying.
It's on the bad days that Marvin can really make a difference for me.
In the evening he snuggles up to me. It gives me peace and warms my sore joints. His heavy, regular breathing helps me fall asleep, and because he moves during the night, I get to move too and wake up less stiff.
The physical part
During the day he follows me around the house. If I drop something, he picks it up if asked.
He signals when he thinks I need a break, and if I need to get up from the floor, I can use him to support me. We are constantly expanding with new tasks.
The best part is that he keeps me physically active throughout the day. There are the walks. The toys to pick up, the laughter, the exercise and everything else.
The psychological part
The mental is at least as important as the physical. The fact that he follows me around the house means that I never feel alone. It makes a huge difference. He is there if I get upset, and when he looks at me lovingly and listening with his beautiful brown eyes, I get the feeling that everything will be okay. He puts me in a good mood.
Marvin is a fantastic support in my everyday life. In every way.
It sounds so rosy.
It's not always rosy. Having a dog is a permanent job. It's a commitment. It doesn't matter what the dog is used for.
It requires a lot of training, respect and patience.
Sometimes he has days when he's a wild dog. Where he might think his name is no last name. Where he constantly insists on the right to sit on my lap, and his nickname Klister fits perfectly. There has to be room for those days too.
I have my practice days where everything is a mess. Yes, why should the dog be any different from its owner? Those days Marvin gives me space to have. So he gets to have his too. Luckily, we have mostly good days.
We collect them. Marvin and I.
Behind the blog
Charlotte is approaching 50. She works in accounting by day. She loves taking pictures, writing and reading, is interested in healthy eating and gluten-free baking. She spends a lot of time growing vegetables and gardening.
Marvin is a brown 4-year-old stubborn and happy ft cocker. He is a spoiled couch dog, family dog and home-trained service dog. He loves teddy bears and new adventures. As long as there is no vacuum cleaner in the adventure.