I am an addict named Shellie. I got clean September 25th of 2007. This is a very mournful time for me and staying clean is my priority but my service dog Moaw Moaw was one of the most awesome gifts of my recovery and now she has passed.

I was diagnosed with severe PTSD and I was going through seizures alot as well. I see a psychiatrist on a weekly or bi-weekly bases due to the seizures, blackouts and the PTSD. A week prior at one of my sessions she had suggested I get a service animal and I agreed. I go to a 12 step program for my addiction and I just so happened to be leaving one of those 12 step meetings on my waY to my psychiatrist. I had to cross through this park to get there and I seen this lady(named Tasha I found out) with 4 little chihuahuas on leash's. I said, "How cute!". She said, "You want one?". I was like, "Are you serious?". SHe was like, "YES!". I was totally blown away and it came to me right there that this had to be my higher power working in my life cause I would have never been able to afford a dog like this. I ended up taking this beautiful little white and black applehead teacup chihuahua back home with me , as well as, took her to my appointment that day. I found out from Tasha as well that Moaw Moaw's birth date was 5 days after my clean date...September 30th of 2007! If that isn't a God dog shot I don't know what is, do you?

Anyways, a month later I was driving southbound on the I-5 from Everett to Seattle. Moaw Moaw started barking profusely and tried jumping on my chest several times. I thought either she had to go to the bathroom or something was wrong with her so I pulled over. 20 to 30 minutes later I came to in an ambulance and I had had a seizure. Oh my God, she saved my life and again it was a sign of a loving higher power greater then myself. I still cry:(!

Well I had the pleasure of being her owner for almost a year and a half and less then 2 days ago she died from an accident. It was aweful to say the least. She weighed no more then 3lbs and was tiny with the biggest heart a dog could of ever had. Maybe I am saying that with a bias opinion but its my opinion.

I am trying to find this gift in losing her and the only one I have found yet from talking with a friend is dealing with the grief process and it's a HUGE process for me cause she was such a God givin gift and I know my higher power has a reason or even more reasons then the grief process. Still just trying to figure it out though.

Thank you for reading this story and God Bless all OUR loving animals.

Shellie Collins July 16th, 2009