Election Day

Everybody loves a puppy. I hear all the time, "Don't you just wish they could just stay that size?"

Well, no I, for one, don't. I love the growing process. I love watching their brains develop, their temperaments mature, their personality quirks come out. But mostly, I love the freedom of being able to take my pup out in public and watch and guide them as they are introduced to the big, wide world. Some of them are intimidated by it and some of them thrive with the new experiences. Sergi seems to take it all in stride.

By the time Election Day rolled around in California, Sergi had completed all of his shots and vaccinations. It was safe to take him out into the perils of (gasp) walking around the neighborhood. With many feral cats, possums and an occasional raccoon in my vicinity, we just never know what forms of parvo, rabies, or other contagious germs might be out lurking about. But on this day, we were assured to be safely inoculated so that we could walk the few blocks over to the local polling place and cast a ballot.

Sergi walked easily on a loose leash, startling only very slightly the first time a loud motorcycle zoomed by us. Within a couple of minutes, he was completely comfortable and barely noticed the fenced-in dogs that barked continuously at us as we walked past neighbors' houses. We walked into the parking lot and over to the room, checked in, got our form and filled in the bubbles. Civic duty done.

What's almost as fun as watching your pup in each new situation, is watching the reactions of folks to your pup – especially when you are in a place where people don't expect to see a dog. The volunteers at the election station were no exception. They were all excited to see him, wanted to know all about him and, of course, wanted to pet him. I was pleased that there was never any question as to whether or not he was allowed in and that he was welcomed with open arms. Sergi did an "UP" on the table as I got my "I voted" sticker. They were so impressed, they gave him one, too.

The only thing better than taking your pup out in public is taking your well-behaved, well-trained pup out in public. Sergi was an excellent ambassador for CCI that day and, as always, helped keep open doors and minds for that disabled team that may come after us.