Graduation!

 After 4 long years of hard work, I finally finished my Master's of Science in Social Work degree, along with portfolios in Disability Studies and Nonprofit Studies. It has been a struggle to balance my full time job, school and my sports and I am looking forward to having a bit more time on my hands now that I can cross school off the list. (Don't worry, I have already taken on some consulting work and am serving on the Board of Directors for the United States Quad Rugby Association so I won't have too much free time!)

People kept asking if Morey was going to graduate with me and of course the answer was yes! He accompanied me to all my classes and internship hours (even if he did sleep through most of them) and it would be strange not to share this special day with him.

 

I decided to go with cap and bow tie for Morey's graduation attire. Personally I think graduation gowns are a horrible invention and I didn't want to make Morey have to bother with tripping around in a gown. He wasn't exactly thrilled with the cap but when it was paired with some tasty salmon treats he was much more willing to tolerate it.

 The Dean of the Master's Program really likes Morey (who doesn't?) and she specifically asked me to write Morey's name on my name card so she could be sure to recognize him as well. As all the graduate were lined up waiting to go across the stage and be recognized several people told me that Morey was their favorite graduate. I think he definitely was the cutest!

During the ceremony the Dean called out my name and then said "And because he also attended all the classes, Morey". The applause was quite loud as we crossed the stage. I shook the Dean's hand and he handed me an envelope and a rolled up paper "diploma". Trying to balance a rolled up paper on top of the billowy gown was not going to work so I handed the "diploma" to Morey to carry for me. A chorus of "Aws" went through the audience as we continued across the stage. I am  sure it was adorable but I wonder how many people realized that he was doing an actual task for me, not just looking adorable.

The official photographer did a good job of making us both look good (they added a variety of different backgrounds from the same photo).

 After the ceremony everyone gathered outside, taking pictures and congratulating each other. Morey got lots of congratulations and compliments and I even got a few as well! One person even asked if he could have his picture taken with Morey.







 Of course, people took lots of pictures of me and Morey and when I was looking at a friend's Facebook page I found it funny that the word "More" was right on Morey! All it needs is a "y"! :)

 My graduation presents from my parents were boots and a brick. Through the Texas Parents Association at UT you can buy a personalized brick that is on the sidewalk outside the building where I work. I thought it would be a special way to recognize our accomplishment and I get to see it everyday when I go by. It will always be a reminder of life's unexpected but often amazing journey!

Eye Exam

During the month of May service animals can get free eye exams through the ACVO/StokesRx National Service Animal Eye Exam. This is a great opportunity to get your dog's eyes checked for free so I decided to sign Morey up. I was glad to see that one of the vets who was participating in the program was one who had worked with Morey a few years ago when he had a floating spot in his eye that needed to be checked out.

The vet clinic is a specialty and emergency clinic and being in that environment made me thankful that I was only bringing Morey in for a preventative exam. Seeing dogs being dropped off for surgeries or brought in for consultations made me grateful that Morey is healthy.

The vet said that Morey is the first big service dog they have had come in for the free exams. She said most of them have been smaller emotional support animals. It is fascinating to see the equipment they use for canine optometry. The vet tech and vet were impressed by Morey's cooperation even when it was obvious he wasn't enjoying the experience. I don't think any of it hurt him it just probably felt weird to have them touching his eyes and getting so close with their equipment. All that socialization and body handling during Morey's training is put to good use in situations like this!

The vet asked if Morey was going to be working the rest of the day because she wanted to dilate his eyes. I said he would be working but that his tasks of the day would be sleeping under my desk so I didn't think having his eyes dilated would interfere with that. I appreciated her asking and recognizing that service dogs have different considerations than pet dogs.

I asked Morey if he wanted to borrow a pair of my sunglasses when we left the clinic. Despite how stylish he looked he politely declined. As soon as we stepped outside I could see him squinting because of the sunlight. The rest of the day was spent inside and by the time we left the office at the end of the day he seemed to be back to normal.

 The vet said Morey has a touch of cataracts that is probably age-related. She said to bring him back next year so she can continue to monitor it. I still think of Morey as my young pup and don't like to think about him getting age-related anything but I am glad it is nothing serious.

Downward Dog

The other day I got out my yoga mat so I could do some stretching on the floor.I spread it out on the floor and then turned to go get my water. When I looked back, Morey had taken up residence on the mat. Apparently he had heard of downward dog and wanted to know what is was all about!

I guess when I lay out a blanket or mat on the floor it usually is for him to lay on so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that he thought the yoga mat was put there for him to enjoy!

It's a Small World

UT hosted the State Track and Field Meet and it was the second year they have had a wheelchair division. I knew some of the athletes (the wheelchair sports community is pretty small) and I decided to go to watch and support them. A friend offered me "VIP" tickets that allowed us to go right onto the infield to watch. It was very cool to see high school athletes with disabilities having the chance to compete and represent their schools in sports. There were 9 boys and 4 girls competing which is more than last year so hopefully more students will get involved over the coming years.

One of the women watching with us started asking questions about Morey; what is his name, how old is he, etc. When she asked where I got him I said " A program in Indiana". Not many people know about ICAN in Texas so that is my general answer unless I really want to engage in conversation. She then asked "Was he trained in a women's prison?" and suddenly I started paying more attention. I confirmed that he was and then mentioned ICAN's name. She said her daughter got a dog from ICAN and I asked her who she got. Even though I haven't been closely involved with ICAN for the past few years I still know a lot of the dogs and I curious if I knew her daughter and her dog.

I was very surprised when she said "Wooley". "Your daughter is Dr. Sue?" I asked in surprise. I could tell she was surprised that I knew Wooley and her daughter, who is a pediatric doctor and used Wooley, a labrodoodle, as a Facility Dog in her clinics. They were among some of the first ICAN placements and did some incredible work together. Sadly, Wooley passed away a few years ago and Dr. Sue is now matched with Mollie, another doodle.

Who would have thought that two strangers meeting in Austin Texas would share a connection through ICAN? ICAN might be based in Indiana but its impact is spreading far and wide!

Morey's Musical Preferences

Living in the Live Music Capital of the World, Morey has been exposed to a fair amount of live music during our time together. He doesn't seem particularly impressed by live music although occasionally a high note will catch his attention. For the most part, he settles under the table or lays down beside me and seems to tune it out just like everything else.

However, as I have discovered, there are two instruments that do capture Morey's attention. One instrument is the bagpipes which I believe I have touched upon in other posts. The other, newly discovered, instrument that intrigues Morey is the kazoo. In the past week Morey got to listen to both musical experiences.

Morey gets to hear the bagpipes at least once a year at the UT Remembers ceremony, which honors UT students, faculty and staff who have passed away during the last year. I always have a few students I come to remember and this year a dear colleague who managed our building also passed away. Because I know bagpipes are part of the ceremony I try to sit strategically to put as much distance as possible between us and the bagpipes. Despite my best efforts this year, I totally failed.

The ceremony was indoors this year because of rainy weather. They had set chairs up in two columns with a center aisle. I knew enough to sit on the outside of the rows because I knew the bagpipes would be processing up the center aisle. What I didn't know was which side they would return down on their way back so I just had to guess and pick a side. Well, I picked wrong. We sat on the left side and after the UT Police Department Honor Guard processed up the center aisle they processed back down the left side- right next to where we were sitting. As if that wasn't bad enough, they then sat directly behind us so the whole ceremony Morey kept looking behind him with his ears back- obviously wanting to keep an eye on the place where that strange sound was coming from.

At the end of the ceremony they processed again to close the ceremony and although Morey knew what to expect this time he was no less alert.  He was paying such close attention and I saw several of the folks in the procession (including President Powers) smile as they went by us. I was very proud of Morey's good behavior despite being in a less than ideal location and being in very close proximity to the distinct sound of the bagpipes.

Morey's second musical experience of the week happened at church. The kids were performing a musical "Oh Jonah" (side note: I was actually in the same musical as a kid) and at one point they pulled out kazoos and started playing them during a song. Morey had been sleeping like he usually does during church but when he heard the kazoos he woke right up and perked up his ears. My friends sitting next to me were amused because Morey is usually not reactive to anything that is going on but the kazoos sure got his attention! Apparently he was never socialized to kazoos during training!

Even though Morey has been working with me for four years we still occasionally run into new experiences that take us both by surprise; Morey because it is a new experience and me because I am used to him taking everything in stride. At times like that I have to revert back to training mode and remember that as perfect as Morey is, he is still a dog that gets surprised or scared of things. There aren't many things that fall into this category but now I know bagpipes and kazoos are on the list!

Sick Day

A few weeks ago I woke up to find Morey panting heavily beside me in bed. It wasn't hot enough for him to be panting that much so I knew something was wrong. I asked him if he needed to go out and he jumped right up -usually a sign of impending poop problems. I quickly got up and took him out, expecting him to go right away. Instead, he went through his usual morning routine, which included a very normal looking poop. I was almost disappointed because that would have made sense as to why he was panting heavily-now I had to wonder what else might be the cause.

Morey still wanted to play ball and eagerly ate his breakfast but he was still panting heavily and I could tell he didn't feel good. He was also moving strangely- almost like he was arching his back the whole time. He also kept his head down really low and wouldn't raise it up. I gently touched him all over to see if I could find a sore spot but he didn't react to my touch as if it were hurting him.

It's so hard to have a hurting or sick animal because they can't tell you what is wrong. I could tell Morey was uncomfortable but didn't know why or what I could do about it. Of course, my mind started to go to the most extreme circumstances and I made myself stop thinking about all the worst case scenarios that could be afflicting my poor Morey.  I decided to stay home from church and continue to observe him so I could decide if I needed to take him to the vet. He kept panting and I could tell he was uncomfortable but still got up eagerly and wanted to play ball when I let him out so I figured he must not feel too bad.

He seemed to get a little better as the day went on so I decided to keep waiting and see how he was the next day. On Monday he looked a lot better although when he first got up from sitting or laying down he still looked like he was arching his back. I limited his exercise and by the next day he was back to normal. I am wondering if he had pulled a muscle or pinched a nerve that might have been hurting him when he moved in certain ways. Whatever it was, I am very thankful he recovered quickly and is now back to his normal self!