Hooman says it’s a milestone!

Hello hoomans! 

Guess what I did? Guess, guess, guess!

I passed Lesson 2!

…I don’t really know what that means, but hooman is excited.

What it means, Cor, is we’re 1/6th of the way through training. And, while there’s no certification needed for a service dog because y’all are considered service dogs as soon as you know one task, it’s… a bit embarrassing when ‘heel’ isn’t exactly natural in public. So it’s also a bit of a reassurance that I’m not just doing the ‘fake service dog’ thing.

Happy belated Mother’s Day, by the way, guys!

But I am a Service dog!

Yes. You know that, and I know that, and everyone who matters knows that, but… 

But?

But hearing strangers loudly discussing you in such a way it’s clear I’d be an unwelcome fellow conversationalist, is a bit of a… disconcerting experience. 

What’s that mean?

It means Hooman doesn’t really know how to handle it.

And your face turns the color of your hair?

…yeah. Sometimes. Because I don’t look like I need a Service dog, and when my Service dog isn’t respecting the vest, it’s hard to believe people believe I’m not doing something literally illegal, even if they aren’t saying as much. 

But… you do need me. Cause I’m a special boy. …right?

Oh, yes. Absolutely. It’s just… hard.

Oh, Hooman. I want to help. I licks your face! 

Thanks, Cor-baby. You… could walk in heel?

…but Hooman. All the sniffs.

…I’ll try. Cause I’m a good boy. But then I gets treats, right?

😁 How can I argue with that? You know what else is a bit disconcerting?

What?

Waking up with you staring at me. 

But I am adorable.

Oh, yes. Undoubtedly, and I’m glad to be able to wake up and be reminded of the miracle of having you. I’m just saying, it’s a bit… 

You laugh when it happens.

Yeah. Because I’m glad to have you. But it’s a bit… well, it looks like you’re guilting me into letting you out.

I’m using my cute!

And you’re very good at it.

Thank you!

You know something dis-concen-trading to me?

What?

The stupid.

Which one?

The one you put on my face.

Oh. This one? 

Yes! I don’t like it.

You don’t say?

Yeah. 

It helps on walks.

Well, yeah. Because now I know what you want. But I don’t like it on my face.

Oh, poor baby.

Yes. Pity me, hooman!

Mmm… well, I don’t. Because I think you prefer having it on your face to just the collar.

Mmm…

Which you’d pull on so hard you’d make gagging noises?

Well, I don’t rather that. 

I thought not. So you can handle the Stupid?

…maybe it’s not such a stupid.

I’m glad you think so.

Because, after all…?

You were not born to fail.

Lauryn

And Cor!