Flossy

[togekissed]

 

A husky/shepherd/boarder collie mix. My service dog. A complete lovable baby girl. She's currently in bed with me, snuggled up against my side while I do homework and stuff. She met my disability specialist today and everyone in the office loved her. She has heterochromia, her other eye is like a brownish amber, which everyone goes nuts over. I also met a girl in the office who's an incoming freshman and told her a bit about service animals. I love spreading info!

It really bothered me though. When I walked her through the student center to get to the disabilities office, there were a lot of incoming freshmen there for orientation. By a lot I mean the crowds were so thick I could barely walk through them. Everyone felt the need to pet Flossy, WITHOUT ASKING, and stood in my way. They got annoyed when I tried to get them away from her by continuing to walk. One orientation leader yelled "You're not allowed to have pets!" But I ignored her and kept going because Flossy IS allowed on campus because she's a service dog, but crowds make me panicky and I didn't want to stop and explain. I talked to my specialist and she said once she has her vest people will be less stupid about her, but that there's like a 50% effectiveness rate with the vests. She's said she's seen service dogs with IDs, vests, harnesses, the whole nine, still get petted without their owners permission by flocks of people. 

It bothers me. I'd never pet anyone's dog without asking, even if they weren't a service dog. What if Flossy was vicious? What if I just don't want you touching my dog? This is part of why I hate orientation, the kids are really obnoxious and feel entitled to everything.