A lifesaving dog called Penny
Tom Lacey with his best friend Penny who are both members of The Salvation Army. (Photo by Envoy Ron Petterson)
Tom Lacey, a member of The Salvation Army church in Raymond Terrace, had been looking for a church that would accept him and his dog Penny.
“We went to the Salvos and they made my dog and I welcome, so we stayed there,” says Tom.
Tom’s Chihuahua Penny, who’s been with Tom for the past seven years, is no ordinary dog. Although he’s a boy, he carries a girl’s name. But more importantly, he is hypo-alert, meaning he detects diabetes in people. He uses a different bark to his usual one to warn if Tom’s blood sugar is low, allowing Tom to take immediate action to save his life.
“He picks up diabetes,” says Tom. “So if you’ve got diabetes and I’m walking past and your sugar is playing up, he’ll let you know by barking.”
The Salvation Army has embraced both Tom and his beloved dog Penny from the moment they walked in 12 months ago, making both Tom and Penny feel “part of the family”.
“He greets everyone at the door, and he sits in the church in his own chair,” says Tom.
“They bought him his own water bowl with his name on it and then they gave him a place at the table. He’s welcome at the Salvos. On their 130-year birthday here in Raymond Terrace they gave me a form to fill out, and they made Penny a member.”
Tom goes everywhere with Penny, named in memory of his late wife.
“My wife had dementia before she passed away and all dogs were Penny to her,” says Tom. “She's been gone about five-and-a-half years now, so I just stayed with the name.”
Now the smallest member in The Salvation Army, Penny never leaves Tom’s side. The Salvation Army has accepted Tom and Penny when he felt unwanted elsewhere.
“He goes everywhere with me,” Tom says. “If you meet him, you’ll fall in love with him”.
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.