Those of you who've been reading my Itzl Diaries know Itzl is a quirky, anal-retentive, work-driven little dog. What you probably don't know is that he is a dog of impeccable manners and has become something of a manners guru where I work.
He does have a very specific set of etiquette rules he expects the people he knows well to follow and he has very definitive ways of seeing to it that people do follow those rules. That's his anal-retentiveness coming out. But he also recognizes that not everyone knows his rules and will forgive much if people have manners.
He absolutely cannot abide mannerless people.
I'll share with you what he thinks constitutes good manners. First and foremost is respecting other people. You show that respect by
Waiting for the people in your party to catch up with you instead of running forward all on your own
Accepting others for what and who they are and are happy to spend time with them on their terms
Giving others gifts you know they will like because it makes them happy, even if you don't understand why they like it so much, or even what they will do with it
Spending time with your friends doing what they love, even when you'd rather be doing something else
Taking care of others:
The diseased and disadvantaged (Rhapsody and Xoco after we rescued them, both with demodedic mange, malnutrition, fleas, hip and knee injuries, Itzl watching over them and teaching them to trust people):
The young and frail (Rafferty, abandoned at 3 weeks locked into a sodden carrier, flea-ridden, half starved, unweaned - here he's been cleaned up, fed, and watched over by Itzl, ready to alert if the baby needs anything):
The sick and poorly (with the help of friends, Itzl ministers to a bed-ridden sick friend)
Sharing your passions (here, Itzl wants to take you on a tour of his gardens)
Listening politely and respectfully to others, even if you disagree (and really, who cares if the screen is a flat hard screen or an inflatable? Just pick one already!)
Helping others work through their fears (Xoco's first snow and she was terrified of going down the stairs. Itzl went back to get her and walk her down the stairs by her side)
Breaking trail for the others (Itzl leads the way into the deep snow-covered yard for Xoco)
Waiting your turn, no matter how eager you are for a sample (Itzl loves "tea" and he is very delicate with the antique china tea cup when he is finally offered a sip)
Obeying the laws, even when they don't specifically apply to you, because knowing the etiquette rules is a part of being good mannered
Dressing for the occasion, even if it means wearing uncomfortable things and being all formal, just because you are participating in an event where such things are expected of you
Itzl knows that being a service dog is about much more than alerting on sounds. it means being well-mannered, obeying the etiquette rules of the various places we visit and events we attend, teaching others our special etiquette rules, and above all - caring, genuinely caring, for others.
Itzl wants everyone to know: Nice Matters.