Comments on: Dear Harley McGuire: I have a question?

By: Harley McGuire

Harley McGuire — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:12:55 +0000

Hi Inoch:

Mom was preparing me for a bath today which included the dreaded toe and ear ordeal and, believe me, I wasn’t thinking about favorite treats. Actually I was thinking about you and your nail/ear person. Sure wish she’d spread the word. I just know Mom would take me there as long as she’s certain the nail/ear person will be careful with my unhinged jaw. We never made it to the session in the shower together because Mom got tied up on a long winded phone conversation with an old friend in California.

Your own story in a book. Wow! Will you have a paw printing debut? Wow.

Lovingly,
Harley McGuire

By: INOCH

INOCH — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 01:29:13 +0000

Hi Harley,
Great idea you have there; however, I DO wear a vest, and get this, there’s a white circular emblem on top that says in black letters, “Please do not pet me. I’m working.” I tell ya, those humanoids either do not know how to read, ignore it because they think I’m a cutie patootie and just can’t keep their hands off me, or…………they are terribly rude. I just deal with it; but my mom was told to tell people to please not touch me. She offers me to shake their hand. Phew! We went to a town called Flagstaff today. You know, Harley, not one person put their hands on me. I heard mommies saying, as we passed, “That’s a working dog. Please do not pet him.” My mom thanked them for being so polite and even asked a couple little cute kids if they would like to shake my hand. For some reason she felt they would enjoy it. Well, there was one little 9 year old girl who lit up like a Christmas tree when Mom asked her. I think we made the little girl’s day. I smiled a doggie smile.

I wrote a book about my new life here in Sedona. Of course, Mom helped me edit it. We still have a little more to do. I now have more stories to tell about life with Mom, like my experiences today. Harley, maybe I’ll share it with you someday.

Oh, Mom took me to that person yesterday to get a shampoo and a nail clipping. She told the person about you, Harley, and about putting an ad in the newspaper. They said they’ll think about it.

I better sign off for now. I hope all is well with you. The next time your mom clips the hair on your toes, try thinking of your favorite treats and the time will go quickly.

Take care, Harley!
Inoch

By: Reply from Harley McGuire

Reply from Harley McGuire — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 22:17:32 +0000

Hey Inoch, my service dog buddy. I’m so happy to hear from you again but sorry about the problem you have with well meaning people who distract your mission of caring for your mother. How about maybe wearing a little sign splainin’ your situation, adding that “you can look but please do not touch”. My mom says she’s seen working dogs who wear vests alerting folks to back off. Maybe that’s another thing to think about. For a long time while my jaw was still very painful people would try to stroke my chin and I would growl and bite at them. Back then I couldn’t really do much damage . . . not like now! Mother would splain the problem but, same as you, they didn’t want to listen.

Yep, sometimes there’s just no understanding those humanoids. If you try the vest let me know if it works.

Lovingly,
Harley McGuire

By: Inoch

Inoch — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 04:53:51 +0000

Hi Harley,
I hope you had a good day. My mom and dad took me on a long car ride to a medical institute in a place called Phoenix. Well, we had some time to spare so Mom took me for a walk around the building and in the gift shop. All this is fine except for one thing….lots of people either asked Mom if they could pet me, or they’d run up and rub my head. People are not supposed to do this to me because I’m a working dog. Mom will tell some they can’t do it; but they ignore her. Mom doesn’t want to be insulting; but on the other hand, some people are just plain rude. Mom will tell them they could shake my hand…I mean paw. They get all excited and shake my paw; but then some take it a step further and get in a rub. They walk away all excited. Oh Harley, sometimes I wish my jaw would get “unhinged” like yours; but I’m not supposed to do that. (Sigh!!) Do you have any advice? Life can be hard sometimes.

Be happy,
Inoch

By: Inoch

Inoch — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 05:29:34 +0000

Hi Harley,
This is fun! I’ve never had a pen pal before. The first part of my life was in training 24/7. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still on the job; but Mom gives me some latitude. Maybe if we get to meet someday, I’ll shake your hand…oops, I mean your paw…

Now let me talk business. Mom does my ears; but that nice lady takes care of my nails. I DO NOT LIKE IT ONE BIT; but I was taught to put up with it. You know, Harley, maybe you can meditate while your mom is trimming your nails and fur….hey, dream of dog biscuits floating past your face, or your mom can reward you with a Frosty Paws you can get at your local grocery store.

Harley, I’ll ask my mom to call that lady, who does my nails, and see if she’ll put an ad in your paper; but if you go to her, promise me you’ll keep your jaw closed.

One more thing, if you ever want to know all the things I can do to help, just let me know. I learned 50 tricks (or commands)….piece of cake.

I hear my mom calling me to bed. Hope you have a good night’s sleep.
Love,
Inoch

By: Harley McGuire

Harley McGuire — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:33:18 +0000

Oh, Inoch, you are a real living service dog? I have so much admiration for career canines, and to think one would actually be writing to ME . . . well . . . it’s overwhelming.

My ears . . . another sore spot. Well, not really. Mom squirts stuff into them once in a while and then squishes it all around. Actually it feel pretty good but I don’t want her to know and so I bite and sometimes even draw blood. Then I feel sort of bad but not much. Every so often she has the “vet” pull out my ear hairs. He tells Mom it doesn’t hurt. Ha, easy for him to say.

Yep, wish Mom knew your ear and foot lady. Maybe if she ran a little ad in this paper it would do all of us a favor, including the publisher, so we could all go and have her show us her talents. (Not the publisher.) My mom would love it if she had someone she could trust because of my still unhinged jaw.

Thank you sooo much, Inoch, for writing me and asking about my ears. Oh, a service dog . . . WOW . . . every day’s lucky for one reason or another.

Lovingly,
Harley McGuire