The Adventures of Stella Luna: Test Day (Part 1)

I remember my test day like it was yesterday... oh wait, it was yesterday. Anyhow, I was certified by my trainer as a Service Dog on May 3, 2023, and on that day, I was deemed fit for service work. But I suppose you want more details than that, don't you?

First of all, we met with my best friend, Athena Rose. She helped the trainer test me, you see. And here's how it all went...

We walked into Walmart, Mama (anxious, as always) and me (pestering her). That's one of my jobs, actually, to poke my owner when she gets anxious. I'm also supposed to calm her down, but she's not too good at that part.

Anywho, we were walking in, and the trainer tells Mama to push the cart. Okay, no big deal, we've done this before. But as we're walking through the store, the trainer disappeared into the clothes racks. I thought nothing of it—people go missing all the time, you know—but the next thing I know: SWOOSH! A shirt brushes right over my face.

You know, naturally, I sniffed at it, but like the well-mannered dog I am, I continued on. Politely, I sniffed at the people who walked in the opposite direction. One time I tried to sniff the person's cart —they had flowers, so very nice smelling—but my owner said "leave it" so I had to move on.

We continue through the test, politely as can be... and then another dog barks at me! Now, this was a service dog, and I kinda knew him as Athena Rose's friend, but he was afraid of me because he'd gotten attacked. But I swear! I'm a nice doggy. So I just whined and stuck close to my owner. Don't worry about him, though. He calmed down eventually.

The most shocking thing about the whole test comes next, are you ready for it? Mama and I were walking... walking... walking... and then the trainer comes over suddenly from the opposite aisle and tosses a towel at the cart... but she missed! And the towel went BONK! Right off my head!

Now, any other dog might've been rattled by this, but not me. I have got this. So I just shake my head and continue on, happy as can be. I'm in a store, after all, with my person...

Of course, I aced part one, but the rest was rather interesting indeed. Stay tuned for Part 2 of Test Day!