So, I was at the store earlier with my service dog. The lady in front of me at checkout had about $200 worth of toilet paper stacked so high in her cart that I wondered if she was preparing for the end of the world. With an air of superiority, she turned to me and asked, “What kind of dog is that?” I smiled warmly and said, “He’s my service dog.”
But that wasn’t enough for her.
With a sharp tone, she snapped, “I know that. What type of service?”
Trying to stay calm and polite, I replied, “He’s a BLD.” By now, my dog, who is naturally very friendly, had happily wandered over to her, wagging his tail and licking her hands. She even giggled a bit despite her earlier attitude.
Her curiosity grew, and she asked, “What’s a BLD?”
I paused for dramatic effect, then looked her straight in the eye and said, “It stands for Behavioral Life Detector. He has a special talent for identifying selfish or rude behavior in people.” Her smile froze instantly, and she quickly turned back to her cart, avoiding eye contact. The cashier, who had been quietly listening to the entire exchange, burst into laughter and nearly dropped the receipt.
As I left the store with my dog trotting happily by my side, I couldn’t help but chuckle. My loyal companion not only helps me in ways others don’t see but also reminds me that sometimes, a little humor is the best way to deal with people who forget that kindness, like toilet paper, should never run out.
