In paragraph 6, we learn that "Brando doesn't stray." This means Brando doesn't
Many people have pet dogs. Dogs are smart and friendly; plus, dogs love people. Dogs are good pets, but some dogs are more than just pets. Some dogs help people. Dogs that help blind people are called guide dogs. Guide dogs have important jobs.
Brando and His Handler
Brando is a guide dog. Guide dogs like Brando know more than most dogs. That's because they have gone to a special school. In this school, Brando learned how to walk on a leash, how to listen to people, and how to keep his handler safe.
Lucy is Brando's owner, or "handler". Brando helps Lucy go places. Brando and Lucy walk together, and Brando stops walking when Lucy needs to be careful. For example, Brando stops when he sees stairs (he anticipates the difficultly Lucy will have). Lucy needs to be careful around stairs, so she takes it slow. She finds the stairs and walks up them carefully. In this situation, Brando helps Lucy safely navigate the stairs.
Now Lucy needs to cross a busy street where there are lots of cars buzzing about. Brando leads Lucy to the street corner and stops. Brando knows that Lucy needs to be careful, so he waits. When the stoplight turns red, Brando sees this. He waits for the cars to stop moving. (Lucy can also confirm this because she hears the cars stop.) Now, both Lucy and Brando know it is safe to cross. Brando walks in a straight line while Lucy follows. Brando helps Lucy cross the street safely.
Not Like Other Dogs
Lucy takes Brando many places. Brando goes with Lucy to places like the mall, the library, and the post office. Brando even boards the bus with Lucy. Remember: pet dogs are not allowed in these places. But Brando is not a pet, he is a guide dog. Guide dogs can go places that pet dogs cannot.
Brando and Lucy go to a restaurant together. Lucy sits down while Brando lies at her feet. Lucy eats her lunch while Brando patiently waits; guide dogs do not beg for food. There are lots of other people around making lots of commotion—they talk loudly, move chairs, carry dishes back and forth, gesture about with their arms. But Brando doesn't stray. He stays under the table. Someone even drops food on the floor. Brando doesn't try to get it. He stays still. He lies down until Lucy is ready to leave.
Lucy and Brando walk through the park where two boys are throwing a ball. The ball lands near Brando, but he doesn't try to get it. Another dog walks past Brando, but Brando doesn't look her way. A squirrel runs past Brando. Brando doesn't chase it. He ignores the ball. He ignores the other dog. He ignores the squirrel. He has a job to do. He has to help Lucy.
Guide dogs are smart and friendly. And most importantly, they love people. But guide dogs are not pets. Do not pet a guide dog without asking its handler first. After all, guide dogs have important jobs!