On Saturday, Maeve joined Kay and me at my hair appointment. She did such a great job settling and being patient the entire time. I am so thankful to have a hairstylist we have known for years who not only welcomes Kay but now Maeve as well. Solo parenting can definitely come with its challenges, and sometimes you just have to figure out the best way to get things done for yourself, even if it means adding a little extra chaos.
On Sunday, we decided to head to the mall to walk around for a bit and get out of the house. Maeve did amazing, and we received so many sweet compliments while we were out. She even got to enjoy her very first pup cup, which she absolutely loved! After she finished, we relaxed on a bench for a while before heading home.
While we were sitting there, Maeve showed off another skill she learned during training: the art of ignoring distractions and staying focused on her job. A man walking by tried to call her over, but being the good girl that she is, she did not move an inch. I am not sure what his goal was, maybe he thought she was a fake service dog and expected her to react, or maybe he was just trying to see if he could get her attention. Either way, I have noticed that kids tend to be more respectful around service dogs than adults, and today was a perfect example of that.
Maeve may still be very much a playful puppy at home, but when we are out in public, she goes into full working mode and stays focused. We had such a great day and plan to continue enjoying our relaxing weekend as Labor Day approaches. I am so grateful for Maeve and for the incredible community of friends and family who love and support Kay and me, helping make this dream a reality.