Brandy the Wonder Dog - At WalMart!

Sorry for not posting in a little while... I've been a bit busy. Today the kids went back to school (Yay!) which set off World War III when I tried to get Iraq up and dressed (Boo!), but I was pretty much expecting that. It was all the usual stuff: didn't want to get out of bed, didn't want to get dressed, insisted I help her dress, wouldn't pick a breakfast, wouldn't eat breakfast, wouldn't take her medicine, wouldn't get her book bag, wouldn't put on her coat... yes, basically each and every step was a battle accompanied by shrieking, crying, anger, and my cajoling. 

Of course The Skink got up without any fuss at all and was full of excitement when the bus came. Broadway is easy as well, but wasn't quite as excited as The Skink. 

I was able to get some work done before noon, and then crashed... hard! 

This is one of our cats modeling this concept. The only difference is that I didn't fall asleep on my desk... this time.

It was a good thing I have a reminder alarm on my phone set to go off a few minutes before the bus arrives or I'd probably still be sleeping now. If only stress burned calories in the way it wears a person out... heck - I'd be as skinny as a rail by now!

Of course once the girls got home I realized the house was completely devoid of food following the Christmas break. I had planned on doing the grocery shopping today while the kids were at school, but I was... otherwise occupied.

That's when the sinking feeling hit. I was going to have to drag a kid with Aspergers and a kid with Down syndrome to WalMart. Normally I try to avoid doing this at all costs. In the past such visits have always ended with receiving the "hairy eyeball" from the other shoppers over my children's (Iraq's) behavior - or lack thereof. 

In my moment of desperation, Brandy came up to me and looked me solidly in the eyes. I swear that dog can read my mind. Maybe I can read hers a bit too, because she was telling me very clearly that she wanted to go to WalMart.

Mind you, although I have trained Brandy to be a service dog, she has mostly just accompanied us on walks to the park. I have worked her in stores (without the kids) but never in a store so large and busy as WalMart. It was a crazy whim... but somehow it worked!

At first Brandy was a  bit alarmed that we were taking the children into such a huge, noisy place. She tensed up as we went through the automatic doors, and I almost chickened out right then and there. Yet though her doggy eyes were huge as she looked at the motorized cart-mover that was just then moving a few dozen carts into the entryway, Brandy stayed right by my side with Iraq marching along on her other side. 

After a short while, Brandy had calmed down and was taking her job seriously. She stayed by Iraq and her presence helped Iraq stay focused and calmer. Normally Iraq begs and cries for toys, food and other items she doesn't need, but today she was intent on walking by Brandy's side. Usually by the time we get to the checkout line, Iraq is so overstimulated that she won't listen to a word I say. Today she knelt down and hugged Brandy. Then she POLITELY asked me for candy! She didn't whine or go directly to melting down in anticipation of a negative answer... she actually said, "Mommy, may I please have some candy?" In a nice voice, even! Of course I said "yes" even though it was getting close to dinner time.

 Brandy was even kind enough to carry my wallet and keys in her backpack!

The only issue we had with Brandy was when the little boy in front of us in the check out line started teasing the poor dog with the bag of Funions he was munching from. He kept throwing them on the floor near her, apparently to try lure her closer to him. Although Brandy obeyed my "leave it!" command, she IS still a dog. We left the store with long strings of drool hanging from her bully mug. Pavlov's Funion?

So, once again, Brandy passes the test! Further proof that you CAN teach an older dog new tricks. For the record, Brandy will be turning 8 in February.