Let us embark on a nostalgic journey.
Do you recall your cherished toy from childhood? How often have you found yourself standing by the laundry machine, hoping it would come out spotless again?
Yes, I concur… way too many occasions.
And, do you know what shattered my heart the first time? When my beloved toy rabbit aged so much that even mending him could not save him. Mr. Bunny had to be disposed of. Naturally, this happened over twenty years ago, and my mom couldn’t find a substitute even if she sought.
Fast forward to the present, and children are still attached to their most beloved toys, comfort items, and other belongings to soothe them in their times of need.
Marley, while he may be a canine baby, is still regarded as a baby by his mom. To shield him from undergoing the same childhood heartbreak that we all experienced with our treasured toys, Marley’s mom sought out a replacement.
Little did she realize they both would encounter an unexpected delight.
Marley And His Fondness For Strawberries
Marley has consistently been an exceptionally good boy… gentle and compassionate, always understanding when necessary. Well, canines typically exhibit such traits, but Marley turned out to be extraordinary.
Upon noticing Marley’s special potential, his mother, Hayley Martin, arranged for his training. This pup emerged as a natural in the role of a service dog. Together, they attended Marley’s service dog training, and he was officially designated as an autism service dog.
Now, he had validation for being an exceptionally good boi.
There’s virtually nothing in the world that Marley and his mom do separately, even during shopping outings. Marley behaves so well that she never hesitates to take him with her. And, naturally, when Marley expresses a desire for something, his mother buys it willingly.
The moment he laid eyes on a small strawberry toy, Marley instantly became enamored. And, upon discovering it was a squeaky toy… one of his favorite kinds, he was absolutely ecstatic.
Mom, Marley, and the strawberry returned home together. Despite having many other toys, the strawberry became his favorite. Wherever Marley went, his toy accompanied him. It was akin to the security blanket he required.
However, Hayley was aware that Marley’s time with the strawberry would eventually end. He adored the toy far too much and played with it incessantly. Time would inevitably take its toll and leave scars on Marley’s cherished berry.
A Gesture Of Kindness And A Wonderful Revelation
A year later, after showcasing how deeply he cherished his toy, Marley’s strawberry began to appear quite miserable. It started to tear apart, and it was filthy beyond any cleaning.
Hayley recognized that she had to locate a replacement strawberry for him. The dog had grown attached to it, and she couldn’t accept the thought of him being deprived of it.
Consequently, Hayley turned to Facebook to conduct some research. What she uncovered was heartbreaking.
The strawberry toy had been discontinued!
Hayley pondered how on Earth she would be able to secure a substitute for Marley if it was no longer produced. The answers to this dilemma seemed to be nowhere in sight.
However, unexpectedly, someone responded after viewing Hayley’s post. It was a store manager who assured Hayley that he would send her two strawberry toys. Recognizing Marley’s hard work, he felt compelled to perform a good deed.
When the package arrived, both Marley and Hayley were overjoyed. But, the real surprise awaited inside.
Marley didn’t receive just two strawberry toys.
He was gifted a box filled with them, precisely 20!
They both could hardly believe their eyes. Marley received a lifetime stock of his beloved toy! He felt like the happiest dog in existence, investigating each squeaky strawberry, sampling them, giving them a good sniff, and simply relishing the gift of a lifetime.
“He was so unsure about what to do! He was extremely gentle throughout it all, yet so thrilled! He spent an hour examining each toy, nudging them to make them squeak!” Hayley shared with The Dodo.
Hayley and Marley were immensely appreciative of the gift. The store manager performed an incredible act… a gesture of kindness that they would forever cherish. Such things are rare nowadays.
Both the canine and his owner felt fortunate to have received such a thoughtful present. Naturally, Marley certainly merits all the love and kindness in the world.
What Makes Marley Such A Good Boy?
I can’t help but ponder: would any other canine, an ordinary pup from the neighborhood, receive such a gift, or is Marley simply too remarkable?
Well, let’s just say Marley has been an exceptionally good boy over the years for his mother.
Recall when I noted that Marley is an autism service dog?
Well, he does not provide support to other individuals.
Marley assists his autistic mother, Hayley.
Hayley has been diagnosed with autism. Existing on the spectrum poses significant challenges. Without Marley, Hayley would have faced considerable difficulties.
Whenever she experiences a sensory episode or panic attack, Hayley sometimes attempts self-harm. Thankfully, Marley is always present to avert any crisis and to provide her with love and reassurance.
This Border Collie Kelpie mix has thwarted numerous episodes throughout their time together.
You can follow their journeys here on Facebook.
To witness Marley’s goodness, I recommend you check out a video of him rescuing Hayley from yet another crisis.