Some Christmas Miracles Come with Paws, and Ours Is Named Bingo - Finding Cooper's Voice

The holidays are always tricky for our family, just like they are for so many families with special-needs children.

Our daughter is seven, but a simple Amazon search for “gifts for 7-year-old girls” doesn’t capture what she’ll actually love. If a toy isn’t tied to her current interest, it’s set aside within seconds. And when all her favorite shows seem to be from before 2015, gift hunting feels more like a treasure quest than a holiday tradition.

This year, though, we’re preparing for something different. The greatest gift we could ever give her, two-and-a-half years in the making, is about to arrive.

A service dog.

Bingo.

Kind eyes.

A big heart.

And more hair than our aging vacuum can handle. My husband is asking Santa for an upgrade.

If there’s one constant in her life, one thing she’s always loved, it’s dogs. They’ve pulled her out of countless meltdowns, even the ones where she seemed so far away we were terrified she wouldn’t come back to us the same.

There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child suffer in a deeper, more overwhelming way than anything you’ve ever experienced. You want to reach in and pull them back to the surface, but all you can do is keep them safe until the storm passes.

Soon, though, a dog will step in. Bingo’s sweet presence will reach her in ways no treat, toy, or person ever could.

A meltdown on Christmas morning? Bingo will be there, cutting the length and intensity in half.

Self-injury, head-banging, nail-digging, overwhelmed and hurting? Bingo will be there, nudging her, grounding her.

A quick post-holiday trip to a crowded store? Bingo will be there, tethered to her, keeping her safe in the chaos.

A meltdown because Mom says no to a $60 toy? Bingo will be there, offering deep pressure and shielding her so she can have privacy and dignity.

Post-Christmas blues because “Christmas is over already?” Bingo will still be there.

The best gift we could ask for is support, safety, and an improved quality of life for our daughter. Bingo is about to check all those boxes. The best gift for the entire family.

Soon, our miracle will have four paws and a tail. And her name is Bingo.

The journey is easier with four paws at your side. We can’t wait to see her in action.