The event was Dragon*Con 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia over the Labor Day weekend. Much of what goes on there has to do with various films, books, and games. On their own website, Dragon*Con says that they are “…the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the universe!”
I needed to share that in order to give some background to the photos and situation that I describe next. It is not at all unusual to see costumed DragonCon attendees. In fact, those of us who are not costumed are in the minority.
So while my friend Cherie and her guide dog are transiting a large open area in one of the host hotels, a man in wolf suit (looking like a rather large but believable wolf) appears as he too makes his way through the crowd. Here are the photos of what happened next.
Windy the dog guide encounters an apparent wolf.
Windy the guide dog is trained to get between the user and potential danger. In the next photo, Windy is performing exactly as trained. (Good dog, Windy!!!)
Onlookers prompt the wolf to “show his belly” in a non-aggression appeasement.
Still on alert, Windy studies the beast.
Windy studies the wolf.
After another moment or two, Windy can find no real danger here; only a item of curiosity.
Sensing no threat, Windy sits and watches.
The crowd was intrigued and cell phone cameras were buzzing to capture the action. Well, perhaps that would be the NON-action. We all had a good laugh. Windy guided Cherie to their destination without further interruption where Windy was rewarded for excellent guide behavior.
I’m not certain, but if you look very closely at the last photo you might be able to read the expression on Windy’s face. I think it goes something like “I sure hope that fellow in the funny suit gets over his identity crisis.”
