"real" service dog work..

Even after our very busy day yesterday, we were up early again and back in the train station. Mom said of all the days of our trip, this was going to be the most important one, but she also told me that she is very proud of the way both Moxie and I have been handling this trip. I don't see what all the fuss is about, I like traveling and seeing what's out there.

I am getting used to riding the train.. Mom, Dad and I get on... find a place to sit and I go right "under"....

Moxie and her Dad do the same thing.

There were a lot of people on the train with us... but when we got off, there were even more people. So early in the day.. this must be important to have some many people in one spot this early. Mom said we were at a place called Arlington, and if I ever needed to be... this was were I had to be on my best behavior. Being a 'service puppy" was the only reason that I -- and Moxie and Vicki - were allowed there.

Now, I'm a dog, and I don't know about such things, but I could tell right away this was a very special place. People talked quietly, and seemed careful of where they were walking. I had a sense of sadness, peace, and honor all at the same time. Mom said this is where I would be doing "real" service dog work.....

We went to this big theatre, the mood here seemed "lighter"... we sat quietly and listened to speeches... sometimes the people clapped, but Mom told me to hold my down and just be good. I like the sound of clapping, it makes me happy, but this time, Mom didn't want me to react to it....

Moxie and I got a lot of attention from the people in the crowd. I heard our Mom's and Dad's talking alot about us, our work and NEADS... it was a fun time....

After the speeches, Mom said we had to find a truck. It was time to put the wreaths out on the gravesites.... there were alot of people (mom said 20,000 volunteers) and a lot of trucks with wreaths... this is the one that we went to....

Mom got a wreath and we went to find a gravesite to leave it at. After we set our wreath down, Mom and I took a few moments to visit with the person who was resting here. To say thank you for their service and to say that they have been remembered by us. I felt very important and was as quiet as I could be.

There were many wonderful things that happened that day.. but one of them was meeting up with a gentleman that our Mom's and Dad's knew from home. He was happy to meet up with us as well.... Mom wanted to get a picture of the men together... so here I am with my Dad, Officer Tom, Rick and Moxie.....

There was also a gravesite that Mom was looking for. She was asked by someone to please go and pay respects to this gravesite. It took us a long time to find it, but when we did, Moxie and I paid our respects as well. Again, I'm not sure of all of this, but I knew how important it was for all of us to be there.








Once all the wreaths were in place, it made a pretty sight. Both Moxie and I thought that we were done, we were getting tired and the day was getting late... it was only then that we discovered our real work began.....

Because now that people had laid their wreaths.. they now wanted to visit with us. I don't know if you know who these pretty girls are.. but I do... they are cheerleaders from the Washington Redskins foot ball team. They loved us and wanted to have lots of pictures taken with us... that was kind of fun....

And then another family approached.. this is a Gold Star family. Which means they lost someone very special in the war.... but not only are they Gold star folks.. it turns out that this wonderful family is sponsoring a NEADS puppy!!!! They were so excited to see us there, and we had a nice long talk together. (when Mom gets a minute, she is going to see which dog they have sponsored).......

There was a lot of sadness in this place too... both Mox and I could sense that. More than once, I even saw my Mom wipe some tears from her eyes.....

And as we were walking along, people would just come right up and want to pet us, or hug us. Sometimes they talked with Mom and sometimes they didn't. There were many hugs and then people went on..... Mom said that we were working our magic.....

We often got people to smile.. I think our hugs made people feel better.... I was proud to be doing my work.....

And Moxie and I heard many secrets that were spoken just to us....

We visit some important places in Arlington.

And so much walking. Moxie and I just had to take a little break... it was a very long and yet wonderful day. Mom said we couldn't have been better, that we had made this trip possible and great. Moxie and I are glad that we could help.. we like to help....








And we leave Arlington in it's silence.. in remembrance for the upcoming holidays.. in respect... tomorrow we head for home, but this is a memory that Mom and Dad will cherish forever... and they say they'll be back with another service puppy......

but for now, it's..


the life with... Rylie!!!!