Have you ever wondered what Snoopy had against the Red Baron? You can ask Musket if you want the inside scoop. Musket too hangs around with flying aces and the Red Baron.
Musket is a nine-year old Yellow Labrador retriever, and he has free run of the San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park. Everybody there knows Musket. He conducts tours of the museum’s collection of vintage aircraft. Musket is an unusually lovely dog. He has a face which melts heart and earns smiles from everyone he meets. Children and adults fall in love with him. Over the last two years Musket has made friends with Medal of Honor recipients, ace pilots from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, Mercury astronauts and men who have walked on the Moon.
It all started in 2007 when my wife needed some time for herself on weekends. As an aviation history buff, I decided to inquire about being a docent. When we first went to the museum, the volunteer coordinators were more accommodating than I could have hoped. Musket won them over right away, even after a small accident. No not that kind of ‘accident.’
He was sleeping on the floor while I was talking with the volunteer coordinator, Ross Davis. Musket was bored and moved to another place, whereupon his harness handle caught on the spigot of the water cooler. He was unable to move, so he pulled and the cooler came down in a wave of icy water. No real harm done. Ross laughed it off. But it illustrated that having Musket at the museum would never be boring. After a few months of taking tours and reading everything I could find on aviation available from the Braille Library, I passed the test. And so did Musket. We each have our Docent badges, with photos.
I should mention one small but pertinent fact. Musket is my Guide Dog. I’m legally blind. We are volunteer docents at the San Diego Air and Space Museum - giving tours and greeting the public. A blind tour guide? Why not? Musket is an excellent Guide Dog. We’ve been together since 2002 when we graduated from Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, California.
So began a very unique ‘job’ for a Guide Dog. In no time at all the museum staff grew to know and love Musket. When patrons asked for a guided tour and I showed up with Musket I could feel the raised eyebrows. Then we set them at ease. “My name is Mark and this is Musket. He’ll guide me and I’ll guide you. Please feel free to ask any questions, and don’t be shy. Musket sure isn’t.” Often they ask to pet him, since Musket is a very friendly and affectionate dog, well-behaved and quiet. Patrons feel welcomed and honored with a dog as a tour guide!
The museum is a large circle, and very dark for me. It’s difficult to get my bearings, but Musket knows every inch of the place and each aircraft in the collection. He stops, sits and waits for me to do my spiel. I praise him often and give him treats for his good work. When we’re standing by the Fokker DR-1 Triplane, the centerpiece of the WWI collection, he’s all set if Snoopy ever decides to give up his Sopwith Camel.
I often use Musket as part of the presentation. For instance, we have a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber from WWII on display. After I finish relating the history of the aircraft, Musket ‘gets my attention.’ Then I lean over as if he is whispering in my ear. “Oh, that’s right. Thank you for reminding me, Musket.” I turn to the audience. “Musket wants to make sure you know the name of the pilot, James Ramage, aka 'Jig Dog' his Call-sign, everyone laughs.
Musket is a celebrity here in San Diego, California. He’s often on TV and in the local newspaper. When Wally Schira, one of the original seven Mercury astronauts died in San Diego in May 2007, the museum hosted his memorial celebration. It was attended by a galaxy of astronauts and aviation legends.
While Musket and I assisted guests, a lovely woman named Barbara Woodbury approached us. She was fascinated by my Guide Dog. “His name is Musket,” I told her. Musket's new friend, Barbara is the President of the Navy and Marine Corps Association and knows everybody. With Musket as her new buddy, Barbara introduced us to Gene Cernan, Buzz Aldrin and Tom Stafford - all Gemini and Apollo legends. Gene Cernan was the last man to walk on the Moon on Apollo 17 in 1972. As a Labrador lover, he took to Musket right off. Barbara took our picture together and Gene later autographed it ‘From the Moon to Mark and Musket, Gene Cernan.’ Is that cool or what?
Recently the 40th Anniversary of the flight of Apollo 8 was hosted at the museum. Musket and I were chosen as VIP guides - a real honor. Musket took being among all the lights of the press and the crowds in stride. 
We took our VIPs for a tour of the museum starting with the Star Trek Exhibition, with props and artifacts from all the series and movies. The centerpiece was a full-scale set of the bridge of the starship USS Enterprise.
The Apollo astronauts were like kids, sitting in Captain Kirk’s chair and having their pictures taken. There, among all the greats of NASA, is my little buddy, Musket.
Gene Cernan came over and said hello to me and his new friend Musket. While talking with Gene, I bumped into a man next to me.
“Sorry,” I said, moving aside a bit.
“Who is this?” I asked.
Gene Cernan turned to me and said, “Neil Armstrong.”
Armstrong held out his hand and I shook it.
Well, I shook, period. I was in ‘space buff’ heaven!
On the bridge of the Star Trek’s USS Enterprise, Musket and I met the 1st man to walk on the Moon standing next to the Last Man to walk on the Moon.
Of course, Musket ended up on the news…
Eat your heart out Red Baron!
~ end ~
Mark Carlson is 48 and lives with his wife, Jane and Musket in San Diego, California. Mark is an Assistant Technology Specialist for an agency providing resources for people with disabilities. His first book, "Confessions of a Guide Dog, the Blonde Leading the Blind," is currently under review by literary agents.
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