Terry Moore’s life found new meaning after he put his little dog in his shirt pocket.
Because Pockets was so small, it was her first mode of travel when she was a tiny pup.
The runt of the litter, her six littermates pushed her away and wouldn’t allow her to eat.
“She was so small, we isolated her,” he said.
The 5-year-old long-haired Teacup Chihuahua and certified emotional support dog now rests in the crook of Moore’s right arm whenever they venture out. Pockets was named after her favorite nestling spot.
“A service dog doesn’t have to be a great big dog,” said Mooore, a Navy veteran and Callahan resident. “It doesn’t. I think a service dog should be the size that fits the condition.”
Several years ago, Moore was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. He still has vivid memories of his war experiences in Vietnam. As a throttle man on the U.S.S. John Hancock CV-19, Moore said he was responsible for removing body parts of Navy pilots from the aircraft carrier’s condenser when they perished after takeoff.
Pockets helps to alleviate stress associated with those memories.
“I haven’t had a PTSD attack in years,” Moore said.
She travels with Moore wherever he goes. They visit local stores and fast food chains and attend local events.
“Her feet don’t touch the ground when she’s out in public,” Moore said.
The petite canine also knows her way around Nassau County. Pockets loves to eat soft serve ice cream from Yulee’s Dairy Queen.
“She knows that drive to DQ,” said Moore’s mom, Mabel Painter.
Moore said that Pockets stays fairly calm.
“She doesn’t get excited about anything except chicken, French fries and ice cream,” he added.
Pockets knows fashion, too. She is a bit of a diva, sporting tiny sunglasses and visors with her custom-made dresses, jogging suits and coats. Painter and Waggin’ Tails Boutique sew many of her outfits, including a Santa Claus suit, elf costume and a variety of holiday ensembles for St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day, Halloween and various themes.
Pockets has to look good when she travels. She also wears shirts that boast expressions, like, “Princess” or “Back Seat Driver.” Her tiny wardrobe and accessories hang in a hutch in Moore’s bedroom.She is secured in a special safety seat when she rides in Moore’s car.
“She really likes a good parade and the marching bands,” he said. “She looks at everybody. It’s almost as if she was communicating with them or something.”
He enjoys dressing her up and taking her out.”She’s always in go mode,” according to Moore.
“She is a diva,” he said. “When you dress her up and take her out in public, she bubbles. She shines. My mother says she never thought she’d have a son my age that dresses his dog in clothes.”
He also can’t imagine his life without Pockets.
“I never had no desire to have any more pets – no desire at all, but her’s not really a pet, you know,” Moore added. “What’s more important is that she trusts me totally. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. She’s my baby, you know.”
He is proud of her abilities to help him center despite her diminutive size.
“I know these guys coming back from Afghanistan have their service dogs that they served with – they’re German Shepherds,” Moore said. “But this one fits me more better. She’s just the right size. I hope other vets will take up a small dog. It allows them a great deal of mobility.”