April 13, 2007

Dear Labby,

I love to eat everything off the ground: dropped food, piles of dust, sticks, rocks, bottlecaps -- just about anything I can find! My puppy raisers tell me I shouldn't do this but how can I resist when there are so many temptations? Is it rude to eat off the floor? And why is their pet dog allowed to eat things I'm not? Signed, Hungry Pup

Dear Hungry Pup,

Yup, service dog rules are different. It is rude to eat things off the floor because you have a public image to maintain, and you're supposed to be working, not snacking. Pet dogs may have fewer rules, but they don't get to go to movies or grocery stores like you do. And remember, you may think that bottlecap is a tasty treat, but you'll be sorry when the vet decides he has to surgically remove it. Trust me on this. Love, Labby

Dear Labby,

My puppy raiser won't let me sniff things or other dogs or people when we're out and about. What is it with humans, anyway? Don't they know how to communicate? Signed, Nosey

Dear Nosey,

When you're working, you're supposed to be discreet. So a quick sniff is OK, but leave the investigative and hobby sniffing for your off-duty hours. And no licking either! We CCI pups have a standard to uphold. (But kissing your puppy raiser at home is allowed.) Love, Labby

www.cci.org

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