The Metal Paramedic now has a Metal Service Dog. Maple the golden retriever entered our hearts and lives on March 31st thanks to the kindness of the fine folks of #Ivegotyourback911. She is now about 9 weeks old and has me (and my family) so busy I barely have any time left to be crazy. Seems this young lady also makes a great focus for my vigilance. Training began Wednesday, I was late because of bad weather and while Maple was overwhelmed and couldn’t care less what I wanted from her at training we’ve been having success at home. I’m learning her and she’s learning me. She sleeps pretty well in her crate. She’s stubborn and protests like the human kids do. She acts like she’s thirsty to go in the house when it’s actually to toilet on the floor where it’s warm and dry. I love her already.

Jokes aside I can’t believe how lucky I am to have her, to have the support and belief of my family raising and training her and to know that people who don’t know me still trust me with life. Maple is my next chapter, my new ‘uniform’ so to speak, and I look forward to the trouble we’ll get into. Also the walks and playtime with my wife and kids. I love seeing people smile at her. The eventuality of doing busy public outings again both with family and alone is actually exciting. Weird, right?

I’ve cried in front of her a couple of times, and she already comforts me by nipping my hand or pants.

“Why do that when you can play with a puppy?” her eyes seem to be saying… I think it’s going to be a good year.