An Essay by Freestone

               

This was last week when Don Carlos used his Magical Chihuahua
Zen Power (MCZP) to cure my cold.

 Do you like dogs? Well some dogs are service dogs. They help people who are blind. And I think they are a great part of the world because they help people, they are friendly, and they make good pets.

                One reason I like service animals is they are good at helping people with things, from getting their owner a drink to scratching their owner’s nose. They can help blind people by showing them where to go and not getting into danger. They can also help paralyzed people by getting them a drink and turning the page of a book. They guide their owners across street walks, into their homes, to and from school and through parks as well.

                Another reason service animals are a good addition to this world is because they are friendly.  In the passage “Monkeys with a Mission” it says that people who have helpful monkeys treat their monkeys like family and give them presents on their birthday. I think that makes them more happy people to have someone to care for and love. Dogs always love you back. They are man's best friend! A dog can make you feel loved, useful, happy, and playful. Dogs get you to go on walks, which is very good for your health.

The last reason they help us is, dogs make amazing pets. No other animal is as energetic or engaging as a dog. They catch things you throw for them, they can swim, and they can rescue. These are all good things because if a dog can catch things you can train them to retrieve things for you. If your dog can swim then it can help to save people who can’t swim. Dogs can rescue people by sniffing out bombs, drugs, or people.

I might add:  except for Don Carlos.  He can't do anything.  He's anything but "energetic and engaging."  He trembles like crazy if we even put a leash on him, so walks are out, unless he's being carried.  He can't even get me a drink or turn the pages of my book.  We had a scare last night when he was missing.  Usually, he doesn't travel more than five feet, and he was nowhere.  Could someone have stolen him?  But who would steal a crippled, shaking, bug-eyed mutt?  We finally found him in the dryer.  Ptolemy had built a cozy fort under the table, and thought the dryer looked like a cozy fort for Don Carlos.  Then he forgot about it and was helping us look.  

Golda says Don Carlos needs his own service animal.  A service gerbil to guide him around, make noises when he's trapped in the dryer and tell us when he needs to go out.  Even if D.C. doesn't fit the profile of "the perfect dog," he is the perfect dog for us.  He shakes when we suggest exercise, he hates to be outside when it's cold, rain confuses him, and he loves to curl up in a blanket.  I completely identify with they little guy.