27/03/2024
OLD Ladies ... Got to love em ... Bless their heart.
Here at Alamo Country Club ... we have some GREAT ONES.
So first some background. I supervised the operation, maintenance, training, and qualification of operators of the nuclear propulsion plant for 20 years in the Navy. Retired as a Chief Petty Officer.
It was only while going thru Voc Rehab Training after retiring i learned that i have the IQ of a genius.
Sam (Samantha) and I just finished 8 months of training for her to become a service dog, and for us to become a Tadsaw - Train a Dog Save a Warrior team.
We have a pickle ball court here in ACC. and Sam and I were interested in finding out what it is all about.
as we entered the court the Old Lady "Bless her heart" informed us that Sam should really not be there. I informed her of the americans with disabilities act and that by law we were allowed to be there. That Sam was a service dog.
In here wisdom and obviously years of communicating with her grandchildren (which must be very special indeed ... bless their tiny hearts)
she asks what if she pees.
I said She wont.
Then she asks what if she poops.
I said she wont.
Then she proceeded to lecture me about her grand children that play right over there. ... making a vague gesture in a general direction .. and how it would not be good if my dog peed or pooped.
Show of hands .... how many reading this only know this because of this Old Ladies lecture? ?? ???
I can assure you even my grandkids understand this concept and the ins and outs/ ramifications of such an occurrence.
Well ... while we were training at about the 4 month point Sam started going everywhere with me ... She went to the Doctors office, she went to the Lab when they drew blood. She went to the dentist with me.. She has been to many restaurants with me. We have walked thru the McAllen mall on many occasions in and out of many stores there. You know how many times people / anyone tried to turn us away??? NONE ... not one person in the hundreds of people we have came in contact with.
Until today.
And it breaks my heart ... and spirit .. that i live with such people.
Makes me want to just Hibernate in my room like i had done for the two years before Sam and I started on this adventure.
Many of us disabled veterans already feel like 2nd rate peoples.
Especially those who experienced the distain and hatred of the American public toward us during the Vietnam Conflict.
We feel like even though we put our lives on the line to protect and ensure the freedom of the American public. That somehow we did it wrong. And that is why we are in the state we are in. Dysfunctional, apprehensive, wary, looking for the "attack" around every corner. Not know where it will come from, but KNOWING it will come when least expected.
Like this Attack from this Sweet Old Lady.
Sam is my Life. She has given me something ... someone ... to live for. I know without her intervention i would not be here today.
