Her Royal Highness, "Eris Harmonia"

Lo' and Behold I do believe I found out why I was brought into this dogs life...

It was to foster her while I work with her previous owner on getting her registered as her ADA ESA. Americans with Disabilities Act, Emotional Service Animal.

Please read the words from a letter I found in the folder full of documentation about Eris that the previous owner gave to me when I picked her up this evening. When you finish reading them, look at my continued commentary below them...

"Hello,

I see you have met my princess and mush, Eris. She was carefully named after the Greek Goddess of Chaos. Unfortunately, if you're reading this I no longer have my baby girl. This is not a note that is easy for me to write. That brindle pup is a light in my life and I love her more than words. Due to circumstances out of my control I was told I am unable to keep her and have had no luck in finding a temporary home for her. The Home Owners Association where I live is forcing me to surrender my baby girl. I got notice with very little time of making proper arrangements for her, and despite myself relocating in the near future (approx. 4-6 weeks).

So, there are things I'd like for you to know about Eris: Eris' Vet gave me instructions for her to eat twice a day, 1.5 cups of food.. She likes warm water mixed in her kibble. Enough to make it float, not too much. She is not food aggressive. I can put my hand next to her while she's eating, as well as pet her.

Generally, she is lazy, and loves to sleep. Though, she gets in her moods where she loves to play and act crazy. She loves tug-o-war. If she's growling, you're playing right. She also loves stuffed animals, and thrashing with them is one of her favorite things to do. Sometimes, she will almost let you grab the toy. Coconuts are one of the toys I've yet to see her destroy, and she loves them. A bit messy but she sure does get a kick out of them. She sometimes doesn't realize how rough she can get; just tell her to calm down and she will stop.

She really is a total mush with people, and kids. She woos for attention, so make sure she gets all the butt scratches. I've never really had her around toddlers or babies but my two kids are 7 &8, and she's been great with them since the day we met her. She usually spends every night drifting from my children's beds to mine. She also loves to cuddle with my kids. When I leave for work every morning, I usually tuck her into my bed.

With that being said, she doesn't need to be in a crate when she's home alone. Crates stress her out and she will cry if she gets put in one. When she first came home I tried and it lasted about 10 minutes. That was the first and last time she ever went in one. Eris is completely content with laying in a sun spot, on the couch, or in a bed.

She's also totally house broken, no worries about accidents either. Eris is the queen of the castle. She doesn't like other animals, unfortunately. With the right training I'm confident she can learn to trust other animals. Her past has done its damage, so she prefers to be the only animal in the house.

Her history is a mystery to myself, and the shelter I adopted her from. She was found wandering the bad part of Middletown, New York with no tags or microchip. Her age was guessed to be about a year to two years at the time so I say she's about 3 or 4 now. From spending the last 2.5 years with her, I've learned quite a bit about her. She must have been abused. Yelling, fighting, and fast movements upset her, and will make her cower or run. If she gets really scared there's a chance she may p*e a little on the floor. She's a huge cuddler. Once she's comfortable she'll do the pity-lean and knock you over. Personal space is another thing you won't have with her because she likes to be close. It's a comfort to her. Bedtime she is the most cuddly. I usually wake up to her laying with her head near mine.

Also, She's not the biggest fan of taking baths, but she will stand there like a champ, once you pick her up and place her in the tub. She doesn't try to escape, especially once you start scrubbing. Getting her nails trimmed is best left to the vet, she doesn't like it and will try to do anything to get away. I was too concerned with hurting her, I left it to the professionals.

She's up to date on her vaccinations. Her rabies is good until 2022, and she is spayed and micro-chipped. Her vet is Wantage Veterinary Hospital. She knows basic commands, sit, stay, down (on her terms), paw, left, right, drop it, go lay down, come here, go to bed, and we've been working on phrases, like go inside and go home. She likes to play dumb but she knows exactly what you are saying. She will make it known if she doesn't feel like working for a treat. She might look at you blankly, or bark, but that girl is smart. Eris is not a beggar typically, but she will lay by your feet/or side at the table while you eat dinner and maybe stare at you if you're having a snack in front of the tv.

She is a great dog once she's comfortable with you. When I first met her she wasn't thrilled, she sniffed me and my kids and walked away. She came home once the shelter did their checks and phone calls and after that, she made herself pretty comfortable, but still cautious. I invited her on the couch and in bed. Our first night together she slept in my arms, and did not move. When I had a headboard, she would sleep on the pillows above my head, like a cat. She's so loyal and loving. Sassy, and full of life too. She lets you know when she wants all your attention, and will put her paws on you if you don't focus on her. Her woos usually mean play, and you'll know when someone is at your door. I've tried to stop her from barking at the doorbell on tv, but she thinks someone is at her door.

Every time I'm upset, she's always leaning against me and extra clingy until I'm ok. I suffer from PTSD and a few other things. I swear she knows when it's a bad day. Shes been wonderful and loving. She deserves to be safe, forever. I've had dogs most of my life, and she is by far the most amazing one I've ever loved. My soul hurts doing this, and this is not easy for me to do. I never thought this situation would happen. I've tried so hard to find her a foster, until I move. Since the issue with my HOA arose, I have had no luck and this was my last resort. I have surpassed their deadline trying. This was not a decision made with a light heart, or with little thought behind it. I planned life with Eris, not for this to happen. Please love her, and take the time to know all her quirks (she mostly does not like other animals). Keep her safe, gain her trust and give her plenty of love, and she will love you more than you could ever imagine or want. From what I've been shown by her, the beginning of life for her was not kind, nor is what's happening now, so she deserves the extras and absolute best. This is not fair to her so please make sure where she goes next, is her final destination.

Also, please let her know I love her, every day, and give her a kiss between her eyes for me, That's my favorite spot on her to kiss. She also snores, and can have nightmares, so hold her tight and touch her gently and she will wake up. Her nicknames are Momma and Smellycat. She is my queen. Please treat her like she's your queen as well. Let her sleep on your bed and tuck her in before you leave for work.

I am so sorry I have to do this, but please love her with everything you have and give her the safety and security I evidently failed to do. Let my loss be your forever gain, with my beautiful girl.

Forever missing, loving and thinking about Eris."

My Continued Commentary...

If that letter didn't bring tears to your eyes, I'm not certain what could.

I found out that Eris's owner prior to me is a Survivor of Severe Domestic Violence and is actively being treated for PTSD. She was working with her Doctor on getting Eris legally made her Emotional Support Animal. That was still going on when the H.O.A. forced the owner to rid herself of the dog within a very short period of time.

Well here's where I come into the picture...

I'm going to be working with Eris's owner prior to me and assist her in getting the necessary documentation that she needs for Eris to become her life-long legal Emotional Support Animal. To know that I walked away with an animal that just may be the lifesaver for its owner I took it from... makes my stomach twist...

I am a 5th Generation Honorably Discharged US Military Veteran along with being a HUD Certified Housing Counselor and Childhood Abuse Intervention & Prevention Specialist.

I am currently under active care with the V.A. Medical Center for C-PTSD with suicidal thought tendencies. Praise GOD that the suicidal thoughts have all but disappeared since I began therapy a little over a year ago. If you Google search my name you'll find some of why C-PTSD and I have been partners for over 5 decades.

But this Post is not about me. It's about getting a dearly loved and needed animal, in this case a dog, back to its proper owner where it should never have had to leave.

Eris's previous owner, I vow to you right here in this public forum that I will do all I can to get your beloved Eris back to you and your children.

Signed: Charles J Stecker Jr

Executive Director and HUD Certified Housing Counselor w/ Integra Home Counseling Inc. Founder & Empowerment Speaker w/ Chahlie's Angels Programs of Empowerment & Founder of the currently defunct International Child Abuse Prevention Task Force

Phone Number: 570-856-5895 Fax: 570-445-3374 E-mail address: [email protected] Mailing address: P.O. Box 552, Tannersville, PA 18372