That’s Abby my service dog.  Were growing old together.  Abby joined my life about eight years ago when I had some surgery to my neck.  Megan (the mountain girl) gave her to me for Father’s day.  Marvin Mason trained her.  I was doing some consulting for some Vets at the time who wanted to start a school for training service dogs.  Abby was the most tangible asset from the venture.  What a magnificent friend.  Like an old pair of jeans she gets better with age.  She’s supposed to be a “fetch and get” dog, but mainly she’s just a really good friend.  Everybody should have a dog to travel with.  She’s warm when I’m cold and close when I’m feeling distant.  She makes me slow down and enjoy the journey. She protective and hesitant and courageous and forgiving and most of the things I am not.  But most of all she’s there, always and without question.  I’ll tell you more about here if stop back.