Parking Mobility

Morey and I recently became part of an innovative program called Parking Mobility. Parking Mobility utilizes trained and deputized volunteers to report accessible parking violations using an app (http://www.parkingmobility.com). The county I live in has a contract with Parking Mobility so the constable's office actually issues tickets to the violators who are reported. They also offer an education program as a way to reduce the fine and so far the people who have chosen the education program have had a 0% recidivism rate. I love the concept of Parking Mobility because it empowers people in the community, gathers data to prove a need and partners with counties to provide consequences and education to those who improperly park in an accessible space. Win, win, win!

I completed the training in December but you have to be sworn in by the constable before you are officially deputized to report violations. It took a while but I finally made it to the courtroom to get sworn in. Now I just have to train Morey to sniff out the violators and I will make the report!

The newest group of Parking Mobility volunteers with Constable Suits!

The courthouse is downtown, just a few blocks away from UT, and I decided to be a good citizen and take the bus. Sometimes I like to transfer to the bus seat but that day I decided to stay in my chair and get tied down (my chair, not actually me). Morey is not sure he liked that idea because he couldn't figure out where to lay. He finally decided to lay between the tiedowns but said it wasn't very comfortable!

Update: I just reported my first violation! I have been on the lookout for a while (and am happy all the cars I have checked have been legally parked in accessible spaces) but downtown I found a car without a placard parked in the loading strips. I hope they will learn their lesson with some help from Parking Mobility!

Valentine's Day

Morey holding a Valentine rose in his mouth

When you aren't in a romantic relationship you can react to Valentine's Day in a variety of ways. I choose to celebrate by having fun with Morey (what's new?) and sharing his cuteness with the world. Key elements of our celebration included a headband with hearts, a velvet rose, a homemade valentine sign and plenty of tasty treats!

Once Morey had his Valentine's Day photo shoot I sent his photos to many of his fans I work with at UT. We also made the rounds of the folks who work in my building and it was fun to see how many smiles he brought along with him.

Morey holding a heart asking "Will you be my Valentine?"

 Morey and I enjoyed getting a Valentine surprise from Indiana. I got chocolates and Morey got a bag of heart-shaped salmon treats!

Morey makes me happy every day. He is such a special dog to me and I am happy to share him with others in my life who also recognize and appreciate his awesomeness!

Fun with Friends

Morey hasn't seen his yellow lab friend Stevie for a long time. We recently went over to her house to celebrate a baby shower for her humans. The dogs were immediately escorted outside to play and within minutes they had both jumped in the pool (in Texas most pools stay open year round). Of course they then wanted to come inside and couldn't believe why we wouldn't want two web rambunctious dogs in the middle of a party! After a few minutes they would go jump in the pool again and start the whole routine over. We finally let them in the house a few hours later when they seemed calm but the moment they went in the house they began wrestling and chasing each other again. Let's just say Morey slept well that night!

Stevie and Morey looking in the window

 Camilla came back for another visit and this time she and Morey spent more time together. Morey seemed to figure out that he fit better in his bed, even when Camilla decided to join him!

Morey and Camilla sharing his bed

Morey and Camilla hanging out on the deck