Jovie's rehearsal was at a different location since they are preparing for competition season and I was a little concerned it was going to be a disaster since I have not sent out my usual "could you let everyone know we have a service dog" letter! Typically, I let the school, church, class, troop.... know we are coming so they can give a heads up to everyone there. It just makes it easier for all involved! This way Jackson and Angel don't get overwhelmed with crowds of kids and I don't have to feel like the bad guy telling every single child they can't pet or touch the giant white teddy bear we have brought in!
Anyway, practice was over and we were sitting listening to some last minute instructions when Angel let out her fourth ever BARK in a public place!! I turned to see what she was looking at and a little girl from Jovie's class had opened the heavy gym door to come in, but only made it to the point of her arm and her head getting through. Once I turned to look at her I could hear her saying "Ow, ow, ow.." because she couldn't get the door opened any further! I was standing right next to her but was listening to the teachers talk so I didn't even notice. She wasn't getting seriously hurt or anything, but it bothered Angel enough to let out one quick loud bark to get my attention!
It was another one of those moments when the "old schoolers" (that's what I like to call them!) would say that Angel was being a bad service dog by barking in a public place. However, to me, it's another example of Angel doing exactly what she is breed and taught to do. She was protecting a child she thought needed help. This is one of the most common characteristics of a Great Pyrenees. They have been bread to protect. They have been bread to bond to the little things that need them the most and do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
It was a one second of our busy day, and I'm sure some people were upset that the large dog in the room barked and scared them; especially because I'm not sure that anyone saw what she barked at! But to me, it was a reminder of why Angel is a part of our lives and how amazing she is when it comes to paying attention to everything and everyone around her!
The funny thing is Jackson was jealous!! I asked him if he noticed that the little girl was stuck in the door saying "ow" and that was why she barked. He said yes and then said "I thought Angel was MY service dog that also watches out for our family sometimes. Does she have to protect everyone?"!! I had to remind him that she is HIS service dog and she first and for most looks out for HIM, but that Angel has a big heart and she will naturally look out for anyone that needs help, especially a child! Just like the Great Pyrenees at our friends ranch that watch over hundreds of momma and baby goats all at the same time!!
Just like all my children, sometimes Angel drives me absolutely insane! She is stubborn, emotional, sometimes Overly Protective (like in the middle of the night!- this is a common issue with Great Pyrenees since they actually have a nocturnal nature to be up all night protecting the herd while the Shepard is asleep), and definitely likes things done Her way. She's my fluffy aspie child! Only she doesn't have an amazing therapist to talk to when I'm not sure what to do next! (please let me know if you hear of a dog autism therapist in town!). However, my Snugglebug and his Angel are a match made in heaven. The unconditional love and understanding they have for each other is something many people will never know or even witness in a lifetime!
Jackson summed it up a couple of weeks ago when talking to a stranger at Target about his dog! They mentioned Austin Dog Alliance and was asking some questions. Jackson started talking about being at Aspergers Camp and how when the kids were all seated in the center of the room working on stuff Angel didn't lay next to him like the other therapy dogs. Angel always circled the room a couple of times and laid down in the far corner facing whatever direction the doors were. He didn't understand why she did that at first, but he does now. I know because he told the stranger at Target that she did that "because she loves me even more than most dogs love their boys. She wants to see everywhere around me and everything I'm doing to make sure I'm safe. She's the best protector in the world!!" <3
BTW, if you are curious, the three other times Angel has barked in public are-
1. At SeaWorld when the trainers told the killer whales to start "talking"! I think the high pitch squeaking freaked her out!
2. At the Omaha Zoo when the Giant Gorilla charged at the glass where her and Jackson were sitting! (Don't get me started on the "old schoolers" that were upset with the lack of Gorilla charging training Angel has had???!!!) Charging Gorilla!
3. It was right after we got back from a week in Las Vegas! (Poor girl was slightly overstimulated from the crowds, casinos, shows, arcades....we ALL were!) and we were at the Alamo Drafthouse watching a movie! She has been to the movie tons of times, but it just happened to be a loud point in the movie when the "waiter" person was sneaking down the dark aisle towards us to see if we needed anything for last call. She got startled by the noise and the sight of the waiter crouching towards us in the dark (I'm assuming she had been asleep. That's what she does at movies!) and jumped to her feet and barked! The second she did it she looked at me with this "crap, I wasn't suppose to do that face"! I told her it was cool! I hadn't recovered from Vegas either!! ;)
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