In April of 2011 I was trying to help two wonderful local rescue groups, The National Foundation for Animal Rescue and Rescue Ridge, place a German Shepherd, Dexter, who also had EPI and was going to be surrendered to a shelter by his second home.   I felt confident dealing with another EPI dog and my husband and I broke down and agreed to foster him until he stabilized and was easier to place.  

The first night he was with us we knew we already loved him ~ he immediately loved Jackie and Jackie loved him.   Even our cat, Willie, who was afraid of everything went right up to Dex the first night Dex was with us and smelled his face ~ Willie knew Dex was a gentle soul. 

We did have someone interested in him (who knew EPI) and I told them if they wanted him, they needed to take him immediately.  I did not want him to bond with us only to be uprooted from another home (he was too much of a love).   Through tears, after being with us for just one night, we packed his belongings and brought him to what was going to be his forever home.  I am happy to report, that day, we also brought him back home with us.   

Over the next couple of months his EPI stabilized and he went from 72 lbs to 115 in a year's time.   Having an overweight EPI dog made me happy, but it also raised red flags.   Dex tested positive for hypothyroidism which is now fully under control and he is a perfect 97 lbs.

Dexter is very different from Jackie when it comes to Reiki ~ he LOVES it.    If I am sitting sharing Reiki with myself, he wants to be part of it.   When I share it with him he cannot get enough.    He licks my hands, climbs on my lap, puts the part of his body in my hand he wants worked on.    Like people, different animals take Reiki at a different rate.  Dexter has been an incredible teacher to me, showing me just how different animals accept Reiki.

We are now Dexter's third and final home.   I have no doubt he picked us because he knew there was healing here for him.   Every day we work to overcome insecurities he has and every day I tell him how much I love him and how thankful I am that he picked us.

He has been an amazing addition to our home, he is gentle and quiet, he is an old soul who just wants to be touched and loved ~ he is incredible.   He is my husband’s shadow, he is Jackie’s best friend, and he is my window to a world of possibilities when you open your heart.