🐾 From Puppy Zoomies to Purpose: Nicky’s Service Dog Journey (So Far)

There’s a moment in every dog mom’s life where she realizes… her baby isn’t a baby anymore. And for me, that moment is now.

Nicky, my beautiful, joyful, wildly intelligent German Shepherd pup, just turned seven months old—and she’s this close to becoming a full-fledged service dog. And while I’ll always see her as my tiny baby fluffball who once tripped over her own ears, I can’t deny it anymore: she’s growing into a serious girl with a serious job.

But let me tell you, this journey? It’s been equal parts inspiring, chaotic, and hilarious.

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💡 A Temperament Built for Service

Nicky has been training for this life since she was 11 weeks old. Basic commands? Nailed. Temperament? Absolute perfection. I swear this dog came out of the womb knowing how to heel. She’s sweet, curious, focused, and carries herself like a little diplomat in a fur coat.

She’s also the happiest creature I’ve ever met. The kind of dog who could charm a squirrel into playing fetch. And when she looks up at me with those big brown eyes, I genuinely feel like I’m the luckiest human alive.

🐶 Still a Puppy, Still Learning

Now, don’t get me wrong—Nicky is still a pup, and sometimes her enthusiasm gets the best of her. Two things we’re working hard on right now:

• Jumping: She’s just so excited about life, and sometimes that means launching herself like a furry cannonball. We’re working on it!

• Barking (at oddly specific dogs?): She’s 99% calm, but if a poodle mix walks by—specifically 15 to 25 pounds—she has some words. Why? I don’t know. Maybe a poodle wronged her in a past life. But she’s getting better every day.

Wearing her service vest regularly has actually helped a lot. It’s heavier, gives her a sense of purpose, and slows her zoomies down juuuuust a bit.

🎓 Task Training: Progress & Plans

Let’s talk skills!

• ✅ Retrieving: Started with tennis balls, now she’s confidently learning to “get mommy water.” She can grab a water bottle and bring it to me like a total champ.

• 🔜 Medication Retrieval: I’m designing a custom “safe container” using a child’s hardcase thermos with a strap. That way she won’t confuse it with other prescription bottles—and we can avoid the potential chaos of broken pills.

Honestly? This girl is crushing it. She loves learning. She lives for praise. And she wants to help. It’s beautiful to witness.

🏙️ Life Changes: From Dog Park to Downtown

This part was hard. We’ve spent so many joyful mornings and evenings at the dog park with our beloved friends—Churro, Georgia, Freya… even that chaotic woman who doesn’t have a dog but screams when mine plays with a ball. (True story. Send help.)

But with Nicky entering this next phase, we’re shifting into more structured socialization—city walking, public exposure, uniform recognition. She’s now learning:

If you’re in the vest, your job is to ignore the world unless the world is wearing a badge.

It’s working, too. Every time we see a firefighter, cop, or EMT, I ask if they’ll say hi. It’s a tiny moment that could save my life someday. If something ever happens to me, I need her to know who the helpers are. That’s the magic of early, intentional training.

🥹 Growing Up Means Showing Up

She’s not quite there yet—but she’s so close. In just a few more months, Nicky will be my full-time service dog. And as much as it breaks my heart to say goodbye to puppyhood, I know what’s ahead is even more powerful.

She’s not just a good girl. She’s my girl. My protector. My partner. My miracle in fur.

This journey isn’t just about tasks and training—it’s about love, trust, and building something sacred between a woman and her dog.

So here’s to Nicky. The service dog in training. The joy-bringer. The chaos-curber. The poodle-mix critic. The one who’s learning, growing, and rising into her calling—one paw at a time.

With Love,

Dana (proud mama) & Nicky