When Mario’s mother prayed for the “perfect healing dog for Mario” she didn’t expect to adopt a big dog. She was sure that a small to medium sized dog would be best. A sweet little poodle or terrier who needed a loving home would do nicely. However when you open your heart to Spirit you never know what you are going to receive. Spirit mind and our controlling, rational ego mind are not the same.
On August 8, 2002 Christine’s eighteen- year old son, Mario sustained a traumatic brain injury from a car crash. Mario was brain dead on arrival at the hospital. He spent twenty-one days in an induced coma and one hundred forty-one days in a persistent vegetative state. When he finally was admitted to a rehabilitation facility his family felt the need for a therapy dog.
Freesia, their loyal and long-time family dog was already thirteen years old and too arthritic to withstand the rough spastic touch of the brain injured Mario. She cowered and shook when he tried to pet her. Believing in the healing power of animals the Scharmer family decided to look for another dog just for Mario… but where?
Christine, her husband Mark and older son Miguel began the search. First they went to adoption days at the local pet stores and to ARF (animal rescue foundation). They took Freesia with them to make sure the new dog would get along with her. The dogs they found were mostly Pit Bull breeds, or Pit Bull mixes. They seemed nice to humans but aggressive toward Freesia. That wasn’t going to work! Where was that cute little lapdog that Christine envisioned?
On their way home from one of their searches Miguel said, “ Let’s go to the pound. We might find a dog there.” Christine responded, “ No I can’t stand to go there. It makes me too sad to see all the suffering animals.” “But mom you could save a life!” retorted Miguel. So off they went to the Martinez Animal Shelter.
Upon arrival Mark and Miguel took off down the aisles looking for a dog. Christine reluctantly followed. She didn’t get far when a dog caught her eye. In the back of a cage full of young German Shepard/mixes was a golden colored dog. Their eyes locked upon each other. This is what Christine has said, “I just knew she was the one. I had prayed for the ‘perfect therapy dog for Mario’ and had asked for a sign. When I saw this dog my heart melted. I felt a warm unconditional love pour over my body like liquid honey. Tears of joy filled my eyes. I couldn’t hold back the tears. I was so overwhelmed with love I could barely talk. I had no doubt that she was the one I had been looking for. I called my husband over. He was concerned about me crying and asked what was wrong. When I told him I had found the perfect dog he was shocked to see a Pit Bull/mix. ‘Are you sure this is the right dog? You said you would never own a Pit Bull,’ he inquired. “I know, but this is the dog", I replied. Luckily my husband is used to my wacky ways and went to get an attendant so we could adopt the dog.
The dog was a three- month- old Pit Bull/Boxer mix and had been abandoned in the city of Antioch. The Scharmers’ named her Sola and brought her home one week later. When they took Sola to meet Mario there was an instant bond of love. Sola wasn’t afraid of the disabled Mario. She loved his strong smells and drooling face and licked him enthusiastically. Sola tolerated his spastic rough touch and did not snarl or try to get away. The nurses warned the Scharmers’ about the possibility of the puppy chewing at Mario’s casts or toes. “Be careful, puppies like to chew”. Mario came home a quadriplegic with diapers and a feeding tube. They had to use a Hoyer lift just to get him in and out of bed.
Freesia wasn’t thrilled with the new puppy and let her know who was top dog from the start. They never became friends, but tolerated each other. Freesia died in July 2003.
It was a sad day for the Scharmers’. They were grateful to have Sola to help with that difficult time.
Sola never chewed on Mario’s casts or much of anything except her chew toys. She often slept with Mario in his hospital bed or sat next to him on a couch or on his lap when he was in a wheelchair. When Mario would have rages of frustration Sola would run to his aid and lick him until he stopped. She was trained to pull his wheelchair and pulled him around Yosemite, Death Valley, the beach and on many camping trips. In December 2005, Sola and Mario won first place at the Furnace Creek Christmas Parade in Death Valley. Now after nine years she still sleeps with Mario at his apartment and showers him with unconditional love and kisses. Christine and her family believe that Sola is the “perfect therapy dog” for Mario.
Remember that your prayers are always answered. If you are open to receive your answers will appear in many forms and in ways you cannot even imagine. Trust your heart, it will always be your true guide.
For more information about Sola or Mario's recovery go to www.RaisingMarioTwice.com
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