Love At First Sniff

Table of Contents


Written by Kash the service dog Navarro


I remember the first day I saw her.

It was a windy day in February, but that didn’t stop Mom from taking me to the park. I remember a smell about Mom. It was the smell she gets when she needs me to alert to her anxiety. I didn’t know what was about to happen. If I did, I would have had mom brush me that day.

Gabrielle and Kash laying down side by side on a bed looking up with their tongues hanging out after a long play session.
Gabrielle and Kash laying down side by side on a bed looking up with their tongues hanging out after a long play session.

As we walked around the duck pond, I tried to figure out what could be making Mom so nervous, and then it happened. At that moment, the earth stood still. She walked up to Mom and me, and after the release word “okay,” we sniffed. She had on a brown leather harness that, like her deep brown eyes, really popped against her freshly groomed silky black coat. She almost immediately fell into a play bow, wrapping our moms up in her leash. She was a wild one. And boy, did I love that about her.

 

As our moms sat in the grass, we continued to get to know each other.

Her name was Gabrielle the guide dog and she liked all the same things I did! I could tell a beautiful friendship was forming, for not only us, but for our moms, too.

“We went to Walmart after lunch and I couldn’t take my eyes off her, watching her guide her mom effortlessly through any and all obstacles in her way.”

After the initial meet and greet, we went out for lunch, and every little thing she did, I admired. Everything from how she laid her head on her mom’s foot under the table, to how she stopped at each curb to guide her mom safely.

Kash and Gabrielle with their handlers, Trinda and Katie sitting in a park surrounded by trees.
Kash and Gabrielle with their handlers, Trinda and Katie sitting in a park surrounded by trees.
Kash and Gabrielle snuggling, asleep on the bed on top of a patterned comforter with their noses together.
Kash and Gabrielle snuggling, asleep on the bed on top of a patterned comforter with their noses together.

We went to Walmart after lunch and I couldn’t take my eyes off her, watching her guide her mom effortlessly through any and all obstacles in her way. After Walmart, we loaded up and went to the movies! I really like going to the movies with Mom. She brings my special mat to lay on, and I get to sleep!

This movie was a special one though, as we all went to see “A Dog’s Purpose.” Gabby’s mom didn’t have a mat for her, so we got to cuddle up and share. I wasn’t complaining. After the movie, I did not want the night to end! But sadly, it was late, so we drove them home.

 

I’ll never forget that first day. Lucky for me it wasn’t long before we saw each other again.

It was the next day, actually! And then the next, and the next. Our moms seemed to have really hit it off, because just like us, they didn’t want to be apart. Our friendship grew stronger each day. And still continues to grow. But no matter how many days we share together, that first day will always be my favorite. That was the day I fell in love at first sniff with Gabrielle the guide dog.


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