Claren is fine, but I am a wreck

I was asleep out on my chaise lounge when the guests arrived for my niece's seventh birthday party. Apparently, though,Claren and I were a hit. Mostly her, I imagine.

The girls were in my niece's class, so they had met Claren when I talked to them a few weeks ago and I'm told they were all like: "it's Uncle Matt and Claren!"

Mom woke me up and asked if they could come pet Claren since she was off-duty. I said sure, and some did.

It's understandable. Claren is pretty hard not to love. And I wonder if I need to share that love more than I am.

I got an e-mail tonight that CCI wants graduate in the area to go to Walter Reed to meet and talk to veterans and answer questions about service dogs as part of CCI's Wounded Veterans Initiative.

Parts of me really want to go. I had never even considered being able to help veterans and this would give me that chance. I love talking about service dogs and CCI. I like helping people.

But ... I am terrified. A friend of mine who raises service dogs told me stories of taking her dog to Walter Reed. The stories were about these young men and women trying to put their live back together without arms or legs or whatever and just the stories made me cry.

I worked with the Navy one summer in college but that was another lifetime, one where I could walk and hear. I have had no interaction with military folk since really.

Kids love Claren, and are impressed by the things she does, but this would be real life with vets, although they are probably just kids, too, which makes it worse.

I know Claren would be fine. But I am not sure I would be. I am also not sure if that is a good reason not to do it.