Back from CHA, and Service Cats

I am telling you what, being away from my stretchy yoga pants for five whole days was a sacrifice.
I barely survived.
And the way we ate, I could have used an elastic waistband.

This morning, I got the kids off to school, and went back to bed.
I slept til 11:00.
Apparently I was tired.
The show was good, and very entertaining with the people watching.
This is why I have chosen to break up the experience into a couple of posts.
I have to introduce you all to my new friend Kelly.

I was looking through my photos to try and find a picture of her where she looked bad, so I would look better, but I don't think she has taken a bad picture.
Ever.
I wanted to hate her, but she was too awesome.
And she held her liquor better than most in the group.
(I am not naming names here, because then April would be mad at me.)
Here is our group:

Core'dinations Staff and Booth

While the rest of us were slaving away on crowd control, and taking orders, Kelly was doing what she does best: Token Booth Hottie.
And new this year: candid photographer.
You too, will be thanking Kelly for her photos.
She has skillz.

This year at CHA there were several dogs walking the show.
Dogs as in animals. Stay with me, people.

I have never noticed this in the past CHA's I have attended.
There was one legit seeing-eye dog, one of those big ones, like you commonly see.
I am totally okay with that.
But there were a couple others that were just furry little puffs, about the size of a loaf of bread, on leashes, and wearing embroidered vests that titled them as "Service Dog."

Now I am not one to judge things that I clearly do not understand.
I was wondering if this also entitled the dog owners to a front-row handicap parking stall?

Those service dogs were walking the show...several of the booths this year had white carpet.
I am hoping the dogs weren't "full service" dogs, if you know what I mean.

My parents own duplexes that they rent out.
My mom has a strict "No Pets" policy, so she was surprised one day when she received a phone call from a potential renter.
"I know your contract says 'No Pets', but I have some service cats, and I wondered if that counted?"
Service cats.
My mom asked her what the heck a "service cat" was.
She replied that her therapist prescribed cats as a means of therapy.
Enter "service cat."

Now Internets, again, I am not one to judge.
But I think it is strange that our forefathers survived the cruelties of life without plumbing without the aid of service cats, dogs or gerbils.
I am probably going to lose some readers over this, but "service cats?"
Really?
I prefer the old fashioned method of eating my feelings in the form of fatty carbs and chocolate.

Needless to say, no matter what title you give them, cats are animals, and that lady did not get to rent the duplex.

But we think she came to CHA!
I am pretty sure there is a "service cat" or rat underneath this triple bump-it.

And this chick (I think it was a chick) was rocking the "service peacock" bangs and "service lemur" tail.

I guess service animals is a new trend.
I wanted you all to be in the know.

All I have is service children.
Although they do not have fancy vests and they are virtually worthless, I could totally get on board with the leash.