Pawpular One In Class - Tillicum Middle School

I am always amazed at how diligent my master is in arranging special assignments for us.  He spends countless time on his communication devices scheduling all of these venues so that I can walk in, light up the room and get as many scritches as pawsible! Oh, I think that I am supposed to say something about how it also allows us to go and share our message. Don’t tell him, but I am definitely the most pawpular one here!

Friday started like any other day with my master and I walking my girl, Becca, out to the end of the driveway so she could head to school.  Little did I know that we too would be going to school too! And you know what was even better than this? We were he heading to her school, Tillicum Middle School!! 

 Yep! My bag was packed, checked and rechecked. And soon enough we were off!

As we arrived, I recognized the school layout and easily guided my master to the school office. Once inside I stopped, cocked my head a little bit to the side and made eye contact with office staff in an effort to announce that there’s truly, Arbuckle the cuteness had arrived! My master introduced us (but of course they knew us and recognized me since I am very unforgettable!). We were redirected to a chair where we were placed in a holding pattern. I lay on the floor waiting eagerly, with my eyes locked in on the door, to see who was coming to get us. 

Before I realized it the door to the office opened and in walked an energetic young lady, with curls hanging down off of her head.

Wait..What!?! I recognize this girl!

It was my girl! The one who gives me treats every morning!

Did she have a treat now? Could I be so lucky as to have two in one day!  Life does not get any better than this!!  

But to my dismay she said “let’s go” and took us to the classroom.  What was already going to be a great day just became a great-grand-wonderful! You see, not only did I get to come to school today, but I now got to spend the day with the girl I love and my master, oh yes this was going to be a great day!

Entering the class room for Mrs. Genoway I was directed to the front and took my place on the floor. Of course I was on my best behavior, cocking my head, looking around, smiling with my eyes and before I knew it (Just like always!) I had students asking my master if they could please pet me. And of course he said yes!!

Ahhhhhh scrrrrtiches!!

My Master shared our story, and even though I have heard it told before I am always ready to respond when he shares about me. I lifted my head and looked at him at all the right moments. I did not fall asleep or snore during his presentation. I like that he talks about us and I wanted to be ready to look as cute as pawsible!  Yes he would tell them things like don’t feed me or pet me unless you ask and then he would proceed with the rest of his presentation.  

When he had finished the students asked questions about how does he ski or how does he use a computer, and oh yes there are always a few that would ask about me: how did I become one of these dogs?  How old am I? How long will I work as a guide dog? I would just smile as my Master would share the answers since for some reason when I talk they seem to not be able to understand me.

We had four different classes to speak to that day and all of the kids were great to watch. They were excited to see me and they learned a lot from my Master. One of them even suggested that we become motivational speakers. 

Great idea!!  

I think we will continue to do exactly that… Educate, motivate and share how to interact with life so that you might go out and have a life no matter what happens and to be able to trust people in all situations. Oh and of course when at all pawsible, get an endless amount of scritches!  

Wags to You!

Arby