My name is Mango, and I’m training to be a service dog for CPL (Canine Partners for Life)—which, around these parts, is one of the highest honors a pup like me can earn. So here I am, off on my selfless journey of service. Wish me luck!

In the meantime, let me tell you about the day I met my human.

It was a long, hot, grueling, restless ride from somewhere in Ohio to SCI Greene in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. Riding along with me were my sister Winter, my brothers Banjo, Fegley, and Frazzle—oh, and a few angry women. I’m not sure why they were so upset... maybe it had something to do with four Goldendoodles vomiting and using the van as a latrine. Just to be clear, I said four dogs. I didn’t throw up. Not once. I’m Big Mango. I hold it down—literally.

Anyway, I do feel a little bad for those ladies. They had to pull over on the side of what looked like a serial killer road just to get some air. And for the record, you humans don’t smell so great to us either.

Eventually, we made it to the prison. As we got out of the van, a bunch of guys started pointing and saying, “I want that one!” The guy who pointed at me was slim, a little muscular, and—this part surprised me—he was missing the fur on top of his head. (See pic of me for reference.) I wondered: was it a tragic accident? Maybe the groomer got a little heavy-handed? That’s happened to me before. Lordy, lordy, they had me looking as slim as a greyhound.

Anyway, just as me and “Missing Fur” locked eyes and started doing that movie-style slow-motion gaze thing… POOF! He disappeared. (Cue record scratch.) Stepping right in front of him was a large, portly guy (I’m not supposed to say “fat”) who reached for my leash. Portly Guy took me, and “Missing Fur” looked kinda sad. But he cheered up when he got paired with my brother Frazzle. I don’t have a picture of Frazzle, but he’s quite handsome—sort of like “Missing Fur.” They actually look pretty cool together.  

TWO WEEKS LATER...

Two of my brothers—Fegley and Frazzle—left the prison. And guess what? Portly Guy suddenly decides he wants my sister Winter instead. So what does he do? He gets rid of me and takes her! The nerve of this guy.

Honestly, he’s lucky I’m a classy lady, or else I’d have left teeth marks on his behind. I mean, I tolerated his snoring and everything! The audacity.

But, hey—it all worked out for the best. Guess who I ended up with?

Yup. “Missing Fur.”

Turns out, “Missing Fur’s” actual name is Hairston—Hairston FC9835, to be exact. I didn’t know humans had numbers for last names. Weird, right? Everyone calls him Champ or Skinny Champ Skrilla. I don’t even know what that means, but humans are weird like that.

Anyway, Champ (he’ll always be “Missing Fur” to me) is awesome. He’s intellectual, kind, considerate—and he doesn’t snore. Eat your heart out, Portly Guy.

Here are some of the fun times we’ve had together!