Archive for the ‘Our Service Dog Chester’ Category

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff; Just Complain About It

Friday, July 26th, 2013

Mary Duggan

By Mary Duggan

Trade shows are a part of what we do; so travel has become a part of what we do. As have flea bag motels. Last weekend was Natural Products EXPO in Columbus, Ohio and we popped for the Hilton. Lots of reasons: registered late for the show; no time to research hotels. But mostly – 3 gals tired and wanting a bit of a pamper. Wake up – show downstairs. End of workday – bed upstairs. No traveling 30 minutes to the discount hotel and then spending an hour trying to figure out how to get a gluten free meal ANYWHERE. Cherry on the sundae? (more…)

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A Service Dog is never OUT OF SERVICE

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Chester 120628 Looking up the stairsBy Mary Duggan

I am deeply touched by folks who meet us in public and inquire after Chester, my service dog. I see the look of disappointment on their faces when they realize he is not with me. Then I see the look of real pain when I update them on his recovery and tell them just bits of what he has been through this past year.

I don’t know if Chester will ever again be able to take on his big job of assisting me through the neurological challenges of my life with a TBI. My sisters are always determined that his working life will be fully restored (more…)

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Chester Strolls the Street of Death

Saturday, June 30th, 2012

By Mary Duggan

When my beloved dog Ceiliedgh died at age 15 she had a soccer ball sized tumor hanging from the side of her body. She had carried this expanding growth for five years, a constant and terrifying source of concern for me and visible to one and all. At the time of her death it weighed in at about 20 pounds and required constant care. Ceiliedgh had adapted bravely to its growth, her spine twisting and distorting in an ongoing effort to maintain balance and mobility as she adapted to being a 60-pound border collie on a 40-pound frame. It broke my heart that I had unwittingly contributed to her suffering and ultimate death.

Lots of happy memories.

Annie with Ceiliedgh.


A Walk on the Beach

Our first 10 years were really healthy, with few if any visits to the vet. (more…)

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Chester Goes To The American Club

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

by Mary Duggan

The talented team at Destination Kohler Waters Spa are very special friends to the Duggan Sisters: as well as tremendous champions of lifestinks® deodorant and our Don’t Be A Boob Campaign. When they invited us many months ago to speak at their Women’s Wellness Weekend it was an easy yes on our part. For months in advance, I pondered my talk and worked to deepen and expand on our message. I knew I wanted to introduce the concept that health is a space you claim for yourself. The larger the space you claim, the more vibrant the health you experience. This concept has become central to our ongoing message and, as is always the case, a personal struggle for the sisters as well. (Look for a blog entry soon outlining our “Claim a Space for Health©” formula.)

Chester, Mary’s Service Dog

As the wellness weekend drew near, and I was finalizing my talk, I realized my sisters had their own agenda for the weekend and their own input into our wellness message. They were determined that I would claim a bit more space for myself, actually lots more space, and they wanted me to do this within the famed and fancy and Oriental carpeted walls of the American Club. They wanted me to bring Chester, the six-year-old Keeshond/Pomeranian mix that has claimed our hearts as a family pet and my gratitude as a neurological bodyguard. It was time for me to come out of the closet about using a service dog. (more…)

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