Dekker Adds to His Story
Woof Woof! My name is Dekker. 
Here is another piece of my story of how I got to be a service dog, along with a few answers to comments left last month. I do love it when you leave comments…always a piece of kibble in it for me!
Well, let’s see, I told you last month about serving my time in prison. I think dogs think about ‘serving time’ differently than humans.
I was born to serve and it really doesn’t much matter to me where I do it as long as I am treated well and have a place to sleep…and someone who cares about me.
The humans in prison are not that lucky. They each have their own crate to sleep in and they get fed on a schedule like well-kept dogs. But I can feel what’s missing.
They don’t get much love in prison. No one snuggles up against them, or if they do they get in trouble for it.
No one scratches them behind their ears, or speaks kind words like ‘Good boy!’ Randy would say that to me often and I never got tired of hearing it.
People don’t say that much to other people, I’ve noticed. I wish all dogs got to go to prison. The people there work so hard to be eligible to be a trainer for service dogs. I guess it’s the only love they get.
So as I said before, I had a nickname “The Velvet Moose.” I got that from my ability to play soccer with the men. I got really good at running after the ball and keeping it away from the players.
What I couldn’t seem to understand is why half of them would cheer me on and the other half kept getting in my way.
Or maybe I kept getting in theirs.
Anyway, one of them called me a moose and so ‘Moose’ I became for the rest of my time there.
At night I would lean into Randy as he brushed my lush fur coat. He said it was like velvet and before long was calling me the Velvet Moose.
I don’t know what velvet is exactly, but it must be kind of nice because he was very gentle and loving when he brushed me and used that name.
I love having people rub my fur, scratch my ears, and invite me to curl up next to them. Why people don’t understand the importance of this is beyond me.
I remember the day they moved me from prison to NEADS. Everyone was nice there. For a few days, I had no person to sleep near. Instead, I was put in a place with other dogs and my whole schedule changed. I never got to play soccer again!
I could sense something good was going to happen, so I settled in and waited. Waiting is one of my superpowers. Humans don’t do that so well. I guess that’s why they need a dog.
I was checked by yet another dog-doc, and given very special grooming as if I were going on a pretty important date.
What I didn’t know is that my person had already arrived at NEADS and had been attending classes to learn all about us dogs.
Apparently, people aren’t born knowing how to communicate with dogs, and they have to go back to school.
If I were in charge I would take the people to live in prison. They could learn about us very fast there…and we could play soccer!
Soon the day came when I was told I was going to meet my new, forever person. There were six of us all brushed, bushy-tailed, and bright-eyed.
I peeked ahead through the open door and saw six people in chairs just waiting. I could smell how nervous they were.
“Dekker, come.” I stood up and followed my trainer into the large room with waiting smelly people. Oh how I wanted to sniff them all out. I knew someone lived on a farm, and another liked smelly soap. Each person was so unique.
My trainer stopped. “Dekker, sit.”
I sat.
My eyes fixed on the eyes of my new person, the one I was born to serve. Her blue eyes stared back at me and we just stared for a long time.
Did you know that dogs learn more by watching a person’s eyes than listening to all the things they have to say? People talk so much!
We could have sat there gazing all day, but soon the talking started, and for the next two weeks it was my job to train my new person.
She had to learn the 42 commands I knew. (I have since learned a few more), and how to trim my nails, and how to keep me healthy.
At night we stayed in a comfy room together and for the next 2 weeks, it was my job to teach her everything I had learned in prison and with the people who took me for the weekends.
She is a fast learner but I can’t seem to get her to play soccer. I guess those days really are over.
Instead, we play a lot of ‘get it’ where I chase a ball and bring it back. She only uses the word ‘fetch’ when she wants me to pick up something she has dropped. I am rather fussy about sticking to the right language.
That was over five years ago now. We have occasionally gone back to see other dogs graduate in a big gym.
I remember my graduation. Lots of people, lots of dogs, lots of talking. Did I mention that people talk a lot? I wonder why when I can get my point across with my brown eyes and a wiggly butt.
Well, woof!… I have been talking a lot here. Thanks for listening to this part of my story. Someone asked for my thoughts on finding life’s purpose. I guess I will have to address that next month. Do sign up below so you won’t miss it.
Woof for now, Dekker (aka The Velvet Moose).
If you visit NEADS, tell them Dekker sent you. You might even want to help support a pup like me.
