Over the weekend, I decided to take Kay to get her yearly photo with Santa — and this time, Maeve joined in for a few shots! We have several holiday events coming up where Santa might make an appearance, so there will be more chances for pictures, but I really wanted to make sure we got at least one with Maeve too.
Even though Maeve can accompany us almost anywhere, I’m always mindful of whether a particular event is the right environment for her. Part of being a responsible handler is recognizing when a situation might be too overwhelming or unsafe. For example, as much as I wanted to bring Maeve to the GiGi’s Playhouse Halloween party last month (especially in her adorable costume!), I decided to let her stay home. Those events are packed with families having a great time, and it’s my job to protect Maeve’s wellbeing. I never want to place her in a position where she could become overstimulated or stressed, because that can affect her work as Kay’s diabetic alert dog — both in the moment and long-term. Kay and I truly love having Maeve with us everywhere, but she’s still a dog and a member of our family first, and her needs deserve just as much consideration.
I’m so glad I booked the Santa session when I did, because December is creeping up fast. Seriously… where did November go?! I’m trying to soak in as many holiday experiences as I can with Kay, especially as she gets older. Maeve did great during the pictures, even though one of the employees kept whistling loudly to get her attention — which startled her a bit. Still, we managed to get a sweet shot of Kay, Maeve, and Santa together! Kay was full of excitement (no surprise there!), and the camera could barely keep up with her wiggles, but we also got a cute picture of just Kay and Santa. Moments like these are exactly why I wanted multiple Santa-photo opportunities this year — you never know how toddlers or dogs will cooperate!
Since the photos were taken at the mall, we grabbed a bite to eat and walked around afterward. While we were waiting for Maeve’s turn with Santa, she alerted me to Kay’s high blood sugar. Then later, at another store, she alerted again. Even in fun, busy environments, Maeve stays focused on her job. Those alerts — that little paw on my leg — help pull me out of whatever I’m doing and remind me to check on Kay right away.
Maeve truly is such an essential part of our family. Whether it’s posing for Santa pictures or keeping Kay safe in the middle of a crowded mall, she shows up for her girl every single time.