Went out to eat with Sally, Terry, and Karen. Went to Ruby Tuesdays. Things went okay. Anxiety was a little raised but overall very manageable. Sally laid next to me and only moved a couple of times. I felt pretty good about that. After dinner we went to a grocery store. Sally did outstanding. Her attention was focused on me for most of the trip. When I did have to tell her to "Leave It", her attention focused right back on me. Terry and Karen both helped me with some things that I overlooked. At the end of the trip I went into line and checked out. We took the opportunity to test her "Pay Attention", command. I stood in line and Terry and Karen both took turns in walking towards me. Each time Sally would get up and nudge me. If she didn't notice them right away she would nudge me a little it harder, or if I didn't acknowledge her right away she would nudge me a little bit harder to get my attention. There was one time I did not give her the command and Terry was able to walk right up to me without her nudging me. Then we tried it again with giving her the command and she nudged me to let me know someone was moving towards me. What an incredible thing to witness!!!!!!!!!!! Sally did outstanding. It was one thing seeing the command performed in the prison but to actually see it first hand and watch her do it sooooo well and consistently. WOW!!!! There was a comfort that came over me that whenever Sally and I get together I may be able to go shopping and have her watching my back so no one can come up behind me. What a relaxing thought.
After our shopping trip we came back to the hotel and just spent some time chilling. It was nice. Sally just laid there and kept wanting me to pet her. If I stopped she looked up at me like"What are you doing?" About an hour and a half later I took her down to Karen's room for the night. Sally has shown me this week that there is a possibility of having a semi-normal life. One where I don't half to be constantly on guard. A chance that I might be able to let my guard down and have her watch out for me. I don't know how to write nor even say what kind of a difference that makes. But there is a feeling of hope that is stronger than before. One more day is all. Looking forward to my next trip already.
