Just A Dog

Hi Friend!

So everyone, my mom included, keeps forgetting that I'm just a dog. They think I'm perfect because I have lots of training. Sometimes I get in trouble. Other times people are surprised when I mess up.

I made Sara's dad sad the other day. He has this huge puzzle that he's been working on.  It's really cool, and I've enjoyed snuggling at his feet while he sits at the table each night to work on it. The problem is that once in a while a piece falls on the floor. I kind of sort of chewed up a piece. I didn't mean to make him sad! I thought he was sharing his puzzle with me! I got in trouble and felt bad.

I also get into trouble sometimes when working. When my mom and I were traveling last week in Seattle, some people saw me miss a curb. I'm supposed to stop at steps and curbs to show my mom, but I was too excited by the newness of the whole thing. The people who saw this laughed at me. It's like as if they thought I was perfect and then suddenly showed I wasn't. I felt so embarrassed.

My trainer told my mom many times that I'm just a dog who happens to have some special skills. Yes, I have had lots of time and money invested in me. Yes, I was bred specially for this job. Yes, I passed evaluations with flying colors. But yes, I'm still a dog! I eat things I shouldn't, sniff when I'm supposed to be working, get distracted by pigeons, and mess up my work sometimes. Even smart dogs make mistakes!

I feel so bad when I mess up. I think I feel bad because my mom is counting on me to be the best seeing eye dog I can be. When I mess up, I make it hard for her to get around. But I'm trying really hard. All of this is so confusing for me. I've been in so many different places, none of which quite seems like home at the moment. All I know is I'm glad my mom knows I'm just a dog and that she will always forgive me. After all, I do have the cuteness factor going for me. I'm pretty sure Sara's dad has melted by my cuteness already after chewing up his puzzle piece. He kind of likes me, so that's good. He's my buddy.

Just remember that service dogs are dogs. We won't always be perfect, but we will work super hard. We love to work but love our owners more and will do everything possible to make then proud.

Still wagging,
Renee the Seeing Eye Dog