Xeros
Legacy Name: Xeros

My childhood was fine, I never depended on anyone else to complete my chores. I didn't want anyone to pity me. In a way I wanted to be normal. School was difficult. Talking to others, well was not easy. I was picked on, most times I would end up on the ground. Soon my mother decided to take me out of school to home school me.Music took my interest by far. In my own time I would spend practicing the piano. Learning by ear wasn't quite easy but soon I memorized the notes.

Now lets skip past my childhood and reach the most important part.

After moving out and moving into my own apartment, I lost contact with my family. I don't wish to explain why. I became a music teacher. I help those who have difficulties and show them a way to express themselves. However I still lacked confidence. I didn't have any friends or family to talk to. I was all alone. I don't know why the thought of applying for a guide dog came to me. I had my cane and my hearing to help me around. Sometimes of course I would walk into something else when my mind went off focus. Perhaps it was for the company.

None of the dogs chosen for me were never right for me. They were all great dogs, well trained and would make a perfect companion. Though none of them were the one, after all you should know when the dog feels right for you, right?

After a while of trying I gave up. I had more important things to focus on, like music. Then came the day when I made one of the worst mistakes. I wasn't focusing while crossing the road and well from there I woke up in a hospital. Confused on how I got there. I was told I was knocked down but something pushed me out the way. So the damage I would've received was reduced because of the creature who pushed me. It didn't stop there, my savior also went to find help. I would've been dead without the help from the creature that risked it's own life for me.

The creature was a dog. A stray dog. After leaving the hospital, I went to visit the pound where the dog was brought. I was told many things about the animal and her condition. From what I remember she must of been from a puppy farm. Bought and abandoned later in age due to her hip condition. She was also deaf in one ear. She needed surgery to fix her hips and would be quite expensive to pay for such an operation. I paid for it. After all she was the dog for me. I wanted her to be my guide dog.

After her operation, she came home with me. After months of recovery, I applied for her to receive some training. It was a hard case and I don't really want to go into all the stress and details.

I named her Puzzle, well because she seems to respond to it best. Also she likes to hide pieces of puzzles in anywhere we go to that has them. She also likes to hide socks. The left one. She is a rather strange dog indeed. Puzzle will never be a proper guide dog to other folks' eyes. After all she is quite mischievous at times. To me she is perfect.

Puzzle has helped me find more confidence within myself. I don't feel alone anymore. Puzzle needs regular checkups by the vet every month. Her hips will never be perfect but she's quite happy. I think she likes being odd and perhaps the attention too.

Puzzle is my eyes, she helps me see and keeps me safe when I'm not focused on my surroundings. I am her ears, I help her hear what she can't. She is different and so am I. We make the perfect team. I don't want to be normal anymore.

Without her I wouldn't be alive today to tell you this story. She is truly a hero, an amazing dog. Though most of all she is the greatest friend I've ever had.

Art by Quirina User not found: leafpool905

Originally coded by: dreamsky
Edited by: Arctic