[RKDinOKC]

Had a Golden Retriever and was primary caregiver for my Mom with Alzheimer's. She was Mom's dog. Slept with har and always went to her first when hungry or wanting out. Would not go for a ride in the car unless Mom was going.

The Golden passed at 13 one morning. Mom was devastated. Basically stayed in bed and would not get up, eat, or do anything. Same the next day so did some interneting and found one litter of Golden puppies the right age to bring home that day. Barely got Mom up and out to go see the puppies. Mom held our new puppy in her lap bringing it home.

Mom latched onto that puppy and the puppy latched on to Mom. There was no crate training the puppy had to sleep with Mom. That puppy was Mom's shadow. In order to avoid any house training problems I just left the back door ajar for the puppy and that worked great.

Now for the amazing part. Having the puppy woke Mom up from her Alzheimer's. Mom started cooking for herself again. It was so she could feed the puppy from her plate, but she was cooking. She also started remembering what was going on. Usually when I took Mom anywhere I would get asked every mile or so where we were going. After getting the puppy she not only remembered, she reminded me that we were going somewhere and where we were going!

When Mom passed it was very very early in the morning. It was the puppy that came, woke me up, and lead me to her.