Cricket, a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier, had a difficult start in life. When she was just six months old, she was thrown out of a moving vehicle and had to fend for herself. Thankfully, her life took a turn for the better when Josh, a military veteran with a history of rescuing and rehabilitating fighting dogs in Detroit, learned of her situation and decided to take action. Josh confronts the man who discovers Cricket has kept her in a cage for a year and a half, never allowing her to see sunlight. He gave him two options: either be willing to give up Cricket or face the consequences of contacting the authorities. The man chose to give Cricket to Josh, which turned out to be the best case scenario for both the dog and her new father.
When he rescued Cricket, Josh took her out for ice cream and allowed her to run freely in an open field for the first time in her life. It took several baths to wash away the filth that had accumulated while living in the cage, but eventually, Cricket began to thrive under Josh’s care with a shiny coat and a passion for adventure.
As a veteran with PTSD and permanent disabilities, Josh needed a service dog to help him with daily tasks and provide emotional support. He decides to train Cricket as his service dog and their relationship grows stronger. Despite her traumatic past, Cricket is now a symbol of pure happiness and joy, always eager to greet anyone she meets with a smile and a wagging tail. She is even trained to wave to children when they wave to her for the first time!
Although the man who initially kept Cricket in a cage wanted her to become a guard dog, her gentle and cheerful nature made her unsuited for that role. Instead, she excels at helping Josh with a variety of tasks, such as picking up items on lower shelves at the grocery store, assisting when he gets out of bed, and walking between his legs to support him as he walks.
Cricket’s presence also helps Josh deal with PTSD, especially when they are in large group settings. While some people may initially be intimidated by her race and appearance, Cricket’s adorable personality and love for people quickly win them over.
Josh affectionately calls Cricket her “shepherd dog” because she loves to snuggle under the blanket, even in hot weather. She is extremely affectionate and always wants to touch or cuddle with her dad. Despite his difficult past, Cricket has come a long way and is now living a happy and fulfilling life as Josh’s service dog.
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