Mose Goes to School

 

Submitted by Nancy Harvin, Albuquerque, New Mexico

It was a remarkable day. Immediately, it was as if Mose was Cody's dog. He couldn't keep his hands off Mose, a great start to a new friendship.

Mose even took commands from Cody. Normally I wouldn't encourage this. However, we were the only ones in the physical therapy room; and I was standing right beside Cody. It really gave Cody a sense of control and mastery, I feel, to be able to direct Mose. 

After doing some reading (Cody was fascinated by the fact that Mose is friends with the dogs in the books, Jake and Paco), some writing (Jean, the instructor, had Cody write a paragraph describing a picture of a dog friend of Mose's who needs a new home), and playing (pure tail-wagging fun), we went back to Cody's class.  Cody couldn't wait to show off his dog and even initiated the reading of the paragraph he wrote. His classmates ooooo-ed and ahhhhh-ed as he gave commands to Mose, to which, of course, Mose responded. Cody was the star for those few minutes.

As we left the classroom, I commented to Jean that I thought our session had gone really well. She said it had been even better than I realized. Jean indicated that Cody had been more focused and calm than she had ever seen him. He even wanted to read in front of the class, something he has never before done willingly.  Jean was nearly in tears. This, of course, nearly brought me to tears. 

Yes, it was a very good day.  We will be returning every Tuesday, possibly between now and the end of school.  Maybe Mose and Cody can be summer pen pals. 

GO MOSE!