The Adventures of 

Frankie & Ash

School Support Dogs

It was Ash's birthday last week.

I was not happy about this.

Usually, I am the centre of attention. This is how things should be.

But all week everybody kept saying things like "Happy Birthday Ash!" and "Who's a birthday girl?" and "Look how cute Ash is!"

It was very exhausting.

For me.

Ash got lots of lovely birthday presents.

She got new toys.

She got extra pats.

She got lots of attention.

I got some attention too but not enough.

This was Not Fair.

The good news is that Ash was happy to share her toys with me.

The bad news is that she wanted to play with them first.

I had some strong feelings about this.

Mum says sharing is important.

I think getting my own birthday is important.

We have also been getting our lunchtime walks every day.

There is a Very Nice Human whose job seems to be taking us for walks.

Mum says that is not their job.

I think Mum is wrong again.

The walks are excellent because there are lots of interesting smells and occasionally somebody drops food.

Finding food is one of our special talents.

Mum recently attended an information session about School Support Dogs. She came home and told us that Labradors are particularly well suited to this role because we are calm, friendly and good with people.

Ash was very pleased with herself. I was not surprised.

I have known I was excellent for quite some time.

One thing we have noticed at Viewbank is that people seem very excited to see us.

Students stop to say hello. Staff stop to say hello.

Some parents even come looking for us and ask if they can have a photo with us.

It is a lot like being famous.

We are coping with it very well.

Mostly.

Ash says she would like to thank everyone for her birthday wishes.

I would like to remind everyone that my birthday exists too.

That is all for now.

Frankie & Ash