Posts Tagged: diabetic alert service dog

What is a Time Zone?

Posted September 5, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Here we go again! Yes, I love adventure and that usually means traveling.

So here I am in an airplane flying to California to be with family for a special day called “a wedding.”

The trouble with flying isn’t that it gets us there quickly. The trouble is with something I don’t understand. Time zones. Apparently, we crossed a couple of them while in the sky. Of course, you know I can’t tell time. I have talked about this problem before.

I keep my eye on Christy, hoping she is aware that no matter what time zone we have crossed, I have a schedule to keep.

I knew something had changed as my tummy rumbled and Christy didn’t feed me right away. I watched Grandma Kit peeling carrots – one of my favorite treats – but she didn’t feed me.

When I finally got my dinner, Christy apologized. She was doing her best to keep me on schedule while dealing with time.

Food is not the only issue I have to deal with; this time zone crossing thing is exhausting!

Why I’m Called Captain Slurpsalot

Posted August 28, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Once upon a time I was born and raised to become an official Guide Dog for the Blind.

Things were going really well until they discovered a personality trait that could not be changed. You see, a guide dog for the blind must maintain focus and pass the tests with 100% accuracy.

Although I was very good, I loved to give kisses.

Along with those kisses came the clicking sound of my teeth clacking together, making me sound like I was biting. This is a character trait that caused me to be career changed. I went into training for Dogs for Diabetics and was nicknamed Crock.

I confess. I love to slurp. I can’t help myself. I love to give kisses. It’s my way of letting people know I like them.

I admit it can be annoying to some, but not to Mom. She loves it. She has put on my collar a tag that gives fair warning to those I meet.

It seems to be how people identify me. Those who know me give me more nicknames, like Captain Slurpsalot, or Crockadile, or Sir Licksalot.

I don’t mind the names, and I give kisses whenever I’m allowed. I guess that’s why Mom was given this sign that now hangs in our house’s entryway.

Come and visit and I’ll greet you with a slurp.

What’s a Gender Reveal?

Posted August 21, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

I’ve seen a lot of things and enjoyed many events, but this one is a doggy first.

We arrived at our church fellowship night when a lady whispered in Mom’s ear.  A few minutes later, Mom hung a wooden sign around my neck. It felt awkward, but I am a go-with-the-flow kind of dog.

We stayed hidden until the “scavenger hunt” for baby gender clues had finished. Everyone seemed perplexed and lost at the misleading clues until I walked over to the new expectant mom as she read the board.

Reading the sign made her so happy. If she had a tail, it would be wagging very fast.

I have said before that dogs can’t read, but whatever the sign said, I’m glad I was the one who got to deliver the good news.

Mom got excited recently about a new panda place where we had to stop for lunch.

I met another big furry creature walking up and down the sidewalk as the restaurant was celebrating a grand opening.

It was a very hot day and I think this furry friend could have used some water. But he was kind enough to let me sniff him. My nose tells me he is not a real panda bear. What do you think?

New Friends and Interesting Creatures

Posted June 5, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Last month Mom had an author spot at the Iris Fair in Greeneville, Tennessee. It was another adventure where I was able to meet and greet interesting characters, young and old.

This sweet lady had a talking bird on her arm.

She cracked me up with some ‘punny’ jokes. I wondered if her arm got tired holding a bird of that size.

The fun thing about going to these fairs is I have made a few friends and got to slurp them once again. These beautiful young ladies brought a new friend too, Miss East Tennessee 2023 (she’s in the middle).

You can read my blog post, “Beauties and the Beast,” about these beauties.

Pirates wandered everywhere. Mom says they were advertising a Renaissance Faire, whatever that means. I just know they made growling sounds but were very friendly.

Then I met some maidens who were waiting for something, I bet they were waiting for a treat.

Apparently, they work together at the Renaissance thing. I looked it up online and you can find info about the Faire here.

My favorite was this big furry guy that smelled like trees.

Zeke is Tusculum University’s mascot because he’s a pioneer and that’s their team name. We were there in April at Author’s Row.

Mom says he looks a lot like Davy Crocket, a historical figure who lived in our area. I don’t care who he looked like, he smelled good and I gave him a welcome slurp.

My Travels, New Friends and Places

Posted May 29, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Have you ever heard the song, “I’ve Been Everywhere,” by Johnny Cash?

It came to Mom’s mind while she was helping me write this blog post. It’s almost officially summer and time for travels.

Here’s a few of mine in the past month or two, and some friends I’ve met.

I visited my cat friend, Todd, in Greeneville and I met a sweet lamb whom I gave a quick “hello” slurp.

The Gulf of Mexico had some really soft, white sand.

While I was there, I kissed a shark!

This pier was full of activity and while I sat there, some friendly dolphins surfaced behind me. Unfortunately, they were shy and disappeared quickly.

The same thing happened with a crane, but he flew off to better posts and I had to sit by this one instead.

We attended a Jesus Festival in Elizabethtown in Eastern Tennessee, where they have a historic covered bridge.

After all that, I’m glad to be home and enjoying my own chew bone on my favorite place to sleep, Mom’s bed!

PHEW! I better get some rest because the summer of travel is only beginning!

It’s My Birthday!

Posted April 24, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

As a diabetic alert dog, time is something I don’t understand. But apparently, I have walked through another human year and turn eight years old.

I love birthdays.

I know the sound of the song well. In fact, when I am in the company of someone who is having a birthday and the song is sung, my ears perk up.

I look around for the treats I am about to eat, but only get a regular kibble from Mom. Oh, well. I’m never disappointed when I get something from the treat bag.

Everyone says I’m getting old because I have some grey whiskers showing up on my chin. But most people think my brindle coloring is me turning grey.

Mom politely tells people it’s a rare genetic defect that gives me the look of muddy or grey paws and face.

Mom has a genetic defect too. But she quickly tells them it’s to her benefit since I’m extremely handsome because of it.

The thing about birthdays is, I get something called presents. Mom doesn’t wrap them up like she would for humans because I am not a destructive dog. I could never tear up paper or even de-stuff a toy, for that matter.

I live with an older small dog who would, and he will steal my new toys, but that’s for another story.

Until then, I’m going to enjoy this birthday thing and hope it lasts a long time.

Happy Spring and Learning New Things

Posted April 3, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Where I live, spring is in the air, but with a little nip of winter. I’m not sure what to think as the temperature and weather change from day to day.

I was really excited to have a mother robin nesting in the eaves of our second-floor balcony.

But sadly, her first nest hit the ground and now Mom uses it for decoration.

That didn’t stop a persistent bird from building another nest. I hope to hear the happy sound of peeping baby robins soon.

Now for new things.

Mom found these funny-sounding buttons at a thrift store.

She’s watched other animals using them on Facebook, similar to these but with more choices. I guess she thought I needed to learn how to talk. I do my job quietly, but sometimes I moo like a cow when I really want her attention.

I think Mom’s idea is to train me on more human words, but for now I like the sound of this button the best because it gets me the most treats.

Where a Dog Does His Business

Posted February 20, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Traveling is always an adventure for me, especially flying. I don’t require a seat but curl up under the seat in front of Christy like a carry-on item.

I don’t mind because I’ve been trained to do it this way. Sometimes a whole row of seats is available, and we both get to stretch out.

Airports are getting better at having relief stations for service dogs. My favorite is at the Orange County John Wayne International airport.

It takes you outside, but you are still within a secure area. When we exit the plane, I know where we are and hurry Christy along to what I think is the perfect place for humans to take their companions.

I can run and play and take care of personal business.

There was a cool relief room in Houston:

However, Christy was disappointed because Nashville Airport had one area, but we would have to go through TSA again. (Christy told you how she feels about that in this month’s newsletter.)

She was happy I didn’t get a big breakfast that morning so we could make it to our next stop. It takes some planning and I feel hungrier than normal.

Speaking of hunger, can I just mention how jet lag affects my schedule?