At the vet, my dog Bowie spotted another dog in a blue vest and got curious. Before I could react, the receptionist snapped, “Can’t you see the blue vest? Keep your dog back.” The room froze. Embarrassed, I tightened Bowie’s leash, unsure what I’d done wrong.
Later, I Googled it: blue vests usually mean service dogs—working animals trained to assist people with disabilities. A curious dog could distract them and put their handler at risk. I felt awful. The next day, I saw the same woman and her service dog outside the clinic. I apologized. “I didn’t know yesterday. But now I do. I’ve learned.” She smiled. “Most people wouldn’t say anything.” Her dog’s name was Mercy.
“She alerts me when I’m about to faint—I have a heart condition. She’s saved my life.”
She told me she once didn’t understand service dogs either, until her diagnosis. “I didn’t want to feel weak. But there’s strength in accepting help.”
That line stuck with me.
Now, I notice vests. I explain them to kids. I guide Bowie with more awareness. That awkward moment at the vet? It turned into something meaningful.
Sometimes, the best lessons come from our mistakes.
