by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

BABY, Service Dog

BABY on the Job with Joseph Batavia

BABY, Service Dog

BABY’s not a pet…

she’s my service dog.

BABY’s well-trained;

she has a very important job.

BABY knows it’s time to work

when she is wearing her vest.

BABY reads my every mood.

She knows when I am stressed.

BABY loves to work;

I take her everywhere.

I am calm and safe

because my service dog is there.

BABY on the Job in the Forest, Photo by Joseph Batavia

Then we go home to chill;

I take off BABY’s vest.

BABY eats her supper

and flops down for a rest.

I find a movie on Netflix

and lock the door.

BABY cuddles up beside me,

and I listen to her snore.

BABY is my friend.

a member of my family.

I take care of BABY,

and she looks out for me.

Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl

Service dogs are trained and certified to help disabled people to live independently. The first and most well-known service dogs assist those who are blind, but service dogs and other service animals now help people with a variety of disabilities. For example, there are dogs who assist those in wheel chairs and people with epilepsy. Remember not to distract a dog who is wearing a service vest. Never pet or feed a service dog without the owner’s permission.

43 Comments

    1. The vest legally identifies service animals. They may go with their owners into public places such as stores, restaurants, and libraries where pets are not allowed. BABY has been trained with the vest, and as you said, associates it with going out.

      Thank you so much, Deb, for your kind comments and insightful questions about BABY. She is a very empathetic and loyal dog. 🙂 Enjoy your weekend! Cheryl

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      1. Such a wonderful companion! The name is very lovely and brought in some memories – we had found a pair of abandoned kittens (they were very small, just opened their eyes at that time) and kept them for some time for their safety (many stray dogs in our locality). They were feral and moved into their own life after they grew up. They still visit our house sometimes. My daughter named one of them (the sister) baby because she was so small ☺️ she was also the more intelligent of the two.

        You have a great weekend too Cheryl 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Ivor. Your kind comments mean a lot to me. ❤ It makes me so happy that you like the poem. Service dogs are a godsend to disabled people who need them, and Baby is a very special dog! < I hope you are enjoying your weekend. 🙂 Cheryl

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    1. Kate, thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments. ❤ Service dogs make it possible for many disabled people to live independently, and I agree with you that they are crucial to their disabled owners. Service animals are now certified in the US for over 150 different disabilities.

      I am so pleased that you like the poem. 🙂 Take care, Cheryl

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  10. Baby is a big girl with a lucky owner and a poet who penned it to give her full credit for a job done so well! So great for people with anxiety etc. My huskey Sheppard often will pass for one since he’s so well behaved. Nice job Cheryl! ❤️ Cindy

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    1. Thank you for taking time to read and comment, Cindy. I know you are traveling, and we are looking forward to seeing some photos! 🙂

      Thank you for your praise for Baby. She is a wonderfully empathetic and devoted dog, and I am glad you enjoyed the poem about her. ❤ I am thinking that a huskey shephard dog must be a very beautiful, intelligent animal.

      Enjoy the rest of your trip! Cheryl

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      1. Hi Cheyrl,
        You are so welcome! Actually, I think you might be referring to Beck who is traveling? I haven’t been anywhere but home lol.
        It’s Cindy…

        Is Baby your dog? She sure seems to be. Hunter is a gem, a hunter and protector but not much of a walking buddy in the heat.

        Blessings,
        ❤️
        Cindy

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    2. Hi Cindy, I apologize for the confusion about you taking a trip. I was working nonstop on four hours of sleep.

      Baby is not my dog. She belongs to my thirty-year-old son and helps him live independently. I have always tried to respect my children’s privacy, but he has given me permission to say that BABY is his service dog. He also told me that service dogs are now certified as “medically necessary” for 150 different disabilities! There is also another classification for emotional support dogs.

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    1. Sidharth, Thank you for your kind comment. I am so glad you enjoyed the poem. ❤ I appreciate the nomination, but I respectfully decline. I don't have the energy for awards competitions. Please nominate some younger person. All the best! Cheryl

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  12. Such adorable baby and your writing is wow!! Cheryl, You can write about flowers, fountains, pets.. anything and everything.. 👍❤️
    Take care
    Samreen 😊

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