Han's Point of View...Church...What is Church?

Boy, Mom's alarm went off super early Sunday morning. I wonder why? I followed her to the big bathroom where she stepped into this enclosed area and water came down all over her and soon she got out and dried off. She tried to get me to go in but I just laid down and waited for her. So instead of getting a bath she wiped me down with some smelly cloths that shine my coat and make me smell good. 
These days I follow her everywhere in the house. It's what I am trained to do in case she should fall. She got dressed and let me out to take a romp and do my business.  I soon came back in and Mom was looking so pretty in her dress and necklace and earrings. She never wears those. Guess we are going to go somewhere special.

Soon she put my special harness on and a bag of treats in her purse. Out the door we went. Boy it was early! The air smelled so sweet. Mom said it was nice. She buckled me into the front seat of the car and we were off to Church...Church? What is Church?

We pulled up to this building, Mom parked the car and said I had to be a very good dog today and had to be very quiet. Hmmm. Like I understand what she is telling me. We went in through the door. There a gentleman greeted us and handed Mom a bulletin. Mom found a special spot for her and me in the very back so we wouldn't bother anyone and if I raised a fuss she could quickly remove me. 

She sat down on this funny looking bench thing that she called a pew. She put me into a down-stay while she was all quiet and was praying, whatever that was. Soon other people started arriving and were a little shocked to see me but they quickly got over it and gave me a smile. Me, I didn't move a muscle. I just stretched out and rested my head on Mom's foot. 

All of a sudden the most awful sound greeted my ears and I jumped up and looked around ready to protect Mom if necessary from that sound. I noticed that Mom and everyone else stood up too. Were they afraid of that sound too? Guess not because everyone started singing to that sound that was really loud. Mom said it was an organ and it was OK and reassured me that it would not hurt us. 

Do I sit, or do I stand?

Then we all sat back down and some man started talking. Then we all stood up, then sat back down, then stood up and started singing again. What is with all this sitting, standing and singing etc.  Mom finally put me back down into a down-stay until communion. We went up and Mom received communion, I was a good boy and waited patiently until she was ready to leave the alter rail. Then we went back to our seats. Soon Church was over. Lots of people came up to us and wanted to meet Mom and me. 

After church Mom went and got some coffee. There were two small boys running around. They wanted to pet me. Mom had to tell them not to touch me. Mom got to talking with their mom and found out that the older boy had had a service dog that had passed away and they were thinking of getting him another one. He has Autism. She was telling Mom that he never approaches people when all of a sudden he just came up to Mom and gave her a huge hug. I could sense that he needed some love, so I went over and gave him some good licks which he loved. His mom was so shocked. She said that was the first time that he had ever done that and that he must have felt very safe with Mom. Mom told her she had run an in-home day care for 18 years many years ago. His mom said that he must have sensed that Mom loved kids. He loved my licks!

We soon left and Mom decided to treat herself to breakfast at Denny's since she can get a gluten free meal there. We were seated at a table and Mom parked me next to the wall and I scooched under the chair sort of and snoozed through breakfast...even with a family of 8 being placed next to us.
Mom said Denny's has an English Muffin that is awesome, by Glutino. Best one she has ever had. Trying to find them in the marketplace will prove to be difficult she thinks. 

Seeking an escape under the chair

A great gluten free breakfast

Good Coffee

         After Denny's we went to Home Depot to get some hanging baskets. According to Mom they had a terrible selection and the prices were too high.  So off we went to Walmart. Mom got four lovely hanging plants for the front porch and yard hangers. While Mom was getting ready to put the plants in her car a very nice lady helped her. Her husband had a service dog too.
I wanted to play and was putting up a fuss, I was so excited to see another dog at the store. He was a military service dog for a veteran with PTSS. I have a long way to go as this fellow was all business. 

Getting the meat ready

After Walmart we went home and Mom started brining a center cut pork roast. She got her little smoker all fired up and ready to cook. 

This bad boy is done!

Dinner is served

She made a wet rub for the pork roast out of fresh rosemary, garlic and EVOO from Australia, Salt and Pepper. She stuck a thermometer probe in and put it in the smoker until it reached 147°. Then she took it off, wrapped it in foil and prepared the rest of her dinner. Mom said it was delish!

Me, I was running around the yard chasing the ball of fur next door up and down the fence. What a day!

Happy Easter!
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Mom here: Han was such a good boy yesterday for his first time in Church. I couldn't have asked for better. I realize I need to get him out more and socialize him more with people. He, at this time seems to have to go through a formal process of greeting people. People just can't walk up to him and hold out their hand to pet him. He does not like that. He wants to initiate the contact. He will come up to you and sniff you while you are still and if you are OK he will lick you hand, then you can pet him. As a service dog he is not supposed to be petted, but I have people all the time reaching out to him wanting to touch him and rub his head. I just wish they would ask my permission first.