Our Guide Dog

Last night was a milestone we’ve been dreaming about for months. For the first time in nine months, our child—our beautiful, bright PDA kid—slept in her own bed… and slept. Really slept. Deep, restful sleep. No tossing, no anxiety spiraling, no midnight panic. And this time, she had our new guide dog by her side.

The first night with a guide dog is a mix of excitement and nerves. We knew the dog would bring comfort and security, but nothing could have prepared us for the sense of calm that filled the room. Watching her drift off, knowing she was safe and supported, felt like a weight lifting off all of us. The dog’s presence seemed to gently anchor her, and even in her sleep, she felt a little more at ease with the world.

We’re thrilled, yes—thrilled in a way that’s hard to put into words. But we’re also grounded. We know that each day, and each night, can be different. Burnout, anxiety, and PDA don’t work on a predictable schedule. One perfect night doesn’t mean every night will be perfect. So while we celebrate this huge step forward, we’re holding space for the reality that life with PDA can still be unpredictable.

Still, last night gives us hope. 

Here’s to our first night—and all the nights to come.