Working-K9: July 2007 Posts

Monday, July 20, 2007
Once again, I look silly

Just when I think all is well in the world my human will find some way to make me look silly again. The other day my human saw a friend of hers on a local TV station. His dog was showing off various wearables for dogs to help keep us safe during the summer.

The doggles, yes that is what they are really called, brought forth a quick burst of laughter from my human. It wasn't long after that we were in a local PetSmart visiting with friends and other dog. Annie was there and apparently her human saw this TV interview as well.

Before we knew it the humans were playing with a set of doggles out on display. Moments later they were on my head. More laughter and photos. Then yes even more giggles and laughs. Humans are too easily amused.

For awhile I was worried I was going to get the brunt of this embarrassment but thankfully Annie was there and she was also made to pose with the fashionable eyewear.

Saturday, July 28, 2007
The Bacon

It was a few days ago. We met for brunch, or lunch, or who knows. Why do humans have to complicate things by naming everything? Let's just call it, food time. Naturally I escorted my human to this little gathering. We were met by Annie, another service dog in training, and she was kind enough to bring her human as well.

As instructed both Annie and I climbed under the table and relaxed. Now Annie wears these little booties to keep her feet safe while she's out and about and while I'm sure they do protect the paws they sure do look funny. It wasn't long before Annie started chewing on her doggy shoes in a vain attempt to remove them. I watched.

Those booties sure kept Annie busy while the humans yapped above.

Then it happened. The glorious aroma wafted down from the table above. Sweet fatty fried strips of porcine goodness; yes I'm talking about bacon here. My wonderful human had ordered a breakfast plate and got bacon!!!

My eyes rolled, my nose twitched and a little string of drool leaked from the corner of my mouth. Oh the torture, oh the humanity! How could anyone expect me to sit there and let my human have all the bacon?

I held myself back, showing remarkable restraint in the hopes my human would notice my suffering and indulge me with just a little of that crunchy pork. She didn't notice. I tried sitting up and putting my head on her lap. The only response I got was to be gently pushed off her lap and ordered to lie back down.

I glanced over to see if Annie was suffering as badly as I was. If we both worked together I bet someone would give in. After all we are both very cute dogs. Darn it, she was so engrossed in chewing on her booty she was thinking of nothing else.

I decided to wait and bide my time until the right moment to strike was upon me. As the humans were getting up to leave the table my moment was at hand.. er I mean paw. With the humans distracted trying to collect the bits of doggy shoe that had strewn about I went for it.

I know that my nose and paws aren't allowed to touch the table. I'm a service dog after all. However no one said anything about my tongue! I lifted my head to the edge of the table and sniffed around so I could find the exact location of the piece of bacon my human didn't eat. I knew this had to be quick, as soon as I made my move my human would notice and try to stop me.

I flipped my long tongue up and on to the plate, it landed with a soft thud. Like lighting I whipped that piece of bacon off the table and on to the floor where I pounced with the speed and accuracy of a jungle cat. Victory! My human didn't look to happy that I accomplished my goal but it was totally worth it.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Purse

For the longest time my human and teacher have been putting stuff, not food mind you, in my mouth and telling g me to “hold” it. This means I can't eat it, I can't chew on it, I can't drop it, or drool on it. Where's the fun in that!

Now if the humans gently rub my ear or chin I'll gladly oblige their bizarre request and hold on to the item as I should. However once the lovin stops, that's it. I'll chew it or spit it out.

My human, since having her hip replaced, isn't allowed to bend over as much as she had before. Because of this she wants me to hold her purse while perched in the scooter chair so she can get it on over her head. I balk at thee. Under no circumstance will I hold that purse strap in my mouth for any length of time. If it tasted like bacon I might me willing to lend my helping jaw but there's no guarantee I won't take a nibble or two in the process.

No matter how many times I dropped that purse the stubborn humans kept on trying to make me hold it. They wouldn't back down and neither would I, no matter how many treats I got. Enough was enough. It was time I taught the humans a new trick.

When the human moved in with the purse I quickly lowered my head and flipped the strap up on to my muzzle. The look of shock on their faces was priceless. Too bad I can't operate the camera; that would have been a fun photo.

Finally the humans came around to my way of thinking and allowed me to hold the purse in my own unique way.