So I settled for dead plants with creamy goo.

I've been up and active since 7am.

Charlie and I loaded up into the car and went grocery shopping. I had to get the staple goods like eggs and milk. We had a great go of it, and even though he didn't want to give me an item at our local Publix, he stayed behind the buggy the entire time, didn't sniff a single shelf or try to eat anything off the floor. He settled into a perfect gait beside me as a helper pushed our buggy to the car.

I was riding a euphoric high, because the pain has been minimal today, and I felt normal going through the store. It was 11:40am on Sunday, and the majority of our town was in their local churches, so not a single soul was around to attempt to pet Charlie. It was a flawless trip!

We headed to the CVS in our little college town, where Charlie's size was a bit of an issue, because he doesn't think he's as big as he is, so on the small aisles, we were in another customer's path for a few moments until I could get my brain in motion as to how to reposition us without me wasting steps/energy. The customer gave us a smile and said "what a pretty dog. I'll bet he's a real help." And went on their way. Charlie and I got wallet photos printed (because I'm out of business cards), and the manager helped us finish our transaction. He actually thanked us for coming in and using his store! I was a little surprised at that, but I thanked him in kind, for being so helpful and accommodating. Charlie sat at my feet the entire time I worked on the photo printer machine, and got my keys and wallet so I could pay. Awesome job.

Then, I decided I was hungry. I wanted a burger, and I knew I could go to jacks because they've helped me and Charlie in the past.

....Charlie flawlessly repeated sitting before I opened the door, he exited the car on command, and sat as instructed. When I shut the door and ordered him to "side" and "get it", "bring it" to carry my wallet and keys again, he did a great job. We stepped up the curb, he braced. I praised and commanded us to go left, and then right into the entryway. We still have issues with doors, because it's confusing to have some doors open toward us, and some away from us, and he has started shying away from any door that isn't an automatic one. This is the point at which what I assumed to be the manager swooped around into view and said in a loud voice, "Ma'am, ma'am! No ma'am! No, take that dog outside where he belong. You can't come in here with no dogs!"

I said "even service dogs, or those in training?"

She replied while backing away, "No ma'am! Please, out. We have one that come through the drive through, but no. Go on! Out!" (It's me and Charlie that go through the drive through)

This whole time, Charlie is looking from her, to me, and then back again. He's standing patiently, but a little bit nervously, holding my wallet and keys, and is waiting on the entryway rug while I'm holding the door.

"Charlie, come, we're not buying now. Let's go good boy."

The closer Charlie gets in his training to the day he passes the access test, the harder these scenes weigh on me. He doesn't act like an average dog, it's not like I'm trying to sneak fluffy in for fun. He's got a soft saddle so I can balance, and he is usually visually obviously doing something when we're together. I would have gone through the drive through and not even tried to go in, but it was hot and I have no air conditioning in the car. To wait for five cars to pass through wouldn't have been fair on Charlie. 

Sometimes I resent that it's my job to know the law, and sometimes I'm discouraged wondering if we will still be denied access later when he's full fledged. I know I need to go tomorrow and bring a copy of the law printed out so she can learn the limits she's allowed to enforce. I don't want her to think she has the ability to shame and bar entry to service animal teams, but we did leave because Charlie is in training and therefore she had a right to turn us away. I just need to go and make sure she understands the boundaries, like how to handle that situation in a way that legally protects her and a working team. 

We came home, Charlie got a dogsters and I settled for a salad instead of the burger my mouth was set on. It reminded me of this scene from Supernatural, where leviathans were posing as Sam and Dean: