“Becoming a service dog is hard. Not every pup is cut out for it.
They call them ‘fabulous flunkies’ because that’s an adorable name, but they really didn’t flunk. They came in just a shade short of the perfection needed to be a true service animal. I wouldn’t call the 4th-place Olympic sprinter a flunkie. I’d just be shocked at how fast they are.
Our flunkie is named Clipper. She is smart, sweet, and energetic.
My youngest also has a service dog from 4 Paws named Velda. (It’s a different amazing story, if you want to hear that one some time.) Our older daughter wanted a dog too, but we couldn’t bring just any animal into the house. We needed one that wouldn’t interrupt Velda when she was doing her job, and that wouldn’t teach her any bad habits. Clipper has been amazing for that. She is the perfect companion for us as a family and for Velda as a working dog.
Ironically, for being named Clipper, she didn’t make the cut for a service dog because she has extreme grooming anxiety. That’s how thin the line is. She was intelligent enough, had the right temperament, and was perfectly healthy. She just freaks out when you try to trim her hair. So now we have two amazing dogs in the house.
My family’s favorite thing about Clipper is the energy she brings to any situation. She is always so happy and excited to be included in anything. She’s the perfect partner for walks, fetch, hide & seek, car rides, and really anything that involves my daughters.
It can also lead to some odd situations. For instance, she loves GOING outside, but she doesn’t always want to be out. She just gets so amped up when you walk toward the door that she can’t help but go, but then might want right back in. Things are definitely more fun and interesting with her around.
She is one of the Fabulous Flunkies, but the emphasis really should be on the Fabulous.”
-Justin, dad of service dog Velda and fabulous flunky Clipper, and 4 Paws for Ability board member