Meeting Moans

Last week I had several meetings across campus with people who didn't know me or the fact that I have a service dog who often accompanies me. I arrived at one meeting early when only a few people were there and got settled at the table with Morey underneath it. More people arrived and the meeting got underway. Suddenly, Morey made one of his moaning noises as he changed positions under the table. I saw several people sitting near me look around for the source of the noise as it was rather unusual to hear in a professional meeting. I wanted to say something, but the conversation at the other end of the conversation was continuing and it seemed inappropriate to interrupt so I just let it go. It happened a second time and the person sitting next to me (who knew me and Morey) turned and smiled at me while everyone else at my end of the table looked in my direction with surprise. At that point I felt I had to say something (to preserve my reputation if nothing else!) and so I addressed the table saying, "I have a service dog with me who is under the table. I apologize for the noises he is making and just wanted to let you all know that it is coming from the dog." Most of the people laughed, glad to have made sense of what they were hearing. Of course, after that Morey was quiet but I felt better knowing that people weren't thinking that I was moaning and groaning!

 I typically let people who are sitting next to me know that I have a service dog with me just so they aren't surprised by movement of the occasional touch under the table (once again wanting to avoid any thoughts of impropriety!). I feel strange announcing to the entire group that I have a service dog with me but after this last experience, maybe in the future that is something I will include in my introduction!

Happy New Year!

Morey wants to wish all his friends and fans a Happy and Healthy New Year! Thank you for following our adventures in 2012. We look forward to seeing what 2013 has in store for us!

Back to Reality...I mean Texas

Morey and I enjoyed our visit in Indiana, but all too soon it was time to head back to Texas. After a week vacation, Morey quickly got back into working mode and off we went into the sunset back to the place where it was 70 degrees on New Year's Eve...Morey may miss the snow but I sure don't!

Happy Everything!

December 29th is a special day for my service dogs. This is Jessie's birthday and this year she turned 8. Hard to believe she is getting her "senior status", although she certainly doesn't act like it. Retirement has agreed with her and she enjoys her volunteer activities of visiting a Senior Day Center and also going to my sister's kindergarten class to listen to the students read. Jessie is loved wherever she goes and likes having jobs where people are encouraged to pet and love her (as opposed to her service dog life where she was not allowed to interact with people). Jessie has a wonderful life, but I still miss having her be part of my life on a daily basis.

Two years ago, I picked up Morey from the Indiana Women's Prison and he became my partner and canine companion. It has been a wonderful 2 years and I am hoping that we will share many more years together!

So, happy birthday and happy anniversary to my very special dogs!

Christmas Presents

Although Morey had a stocking at our house in Austin, he was very glad that Grandma also had a stocking for him in Greenfield. He was also glad that Santa didn't have any problem figuring out where to bring his presents. Since he was a very good dog, he got some very good presents!

He enjoyed expanding his "wildlife" collection of toys with a flying squirrel and a reindeer. He had a litle trouble understanding that he had to share with Jessie and Buddy and finally decided that the flying squirrel would come back to Texas and the reindeer would stay in Indiana.

We Wish you a Merry Christmas!

Morey, Buddy, and Jessie had a wonderful Christmas filled with joy, happiness, and lots of treats! (I am not sure if their true excitement is displayed in these pictures-which may have something to do with the costumes?)

Let It Snow!

While Morey and I were home for Christmas we were treated to several different snowfalls that kept us snowed in for several days at a time. And since we had no place to go, let it snow!


Morey loved playing in the snow and didn't seem to mind the cold at all. I preferred to enjoy the snow from the warmth of our house, but thankfully "Grandma" was happy to take Morey out to play in the snow. She even made sure to put his burnt orange coat on to make sure he was warm!