"Pets on Wheels" may not be the best name for the charitable organization my husband and our dog are volunteers with. It conjures up an image of a roller derby league for pets in one's mind. At least, in this particular one's mind.

But Pets on Wheels is a collection of volunteers with docile, friendly and somewhat obedient, prescreened pets who commit to visiting area nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in our county. Its mission is to bring the joys of simply petting a dog or cat to the residents, who often have to give up their pets to enter these facilities. I was contacted through my website by the program's part-time administrator, who had read about our dog Moose in this column. She said he might be perfect for the job. So I signed my husband up.

"Listen," I said. "Your only hobby can't be funding college tuitions. This program has your name written all over it."

The thing about Moose and my husband, John: They have this unique, wordless bond. Moose has been known to turn his back on the most captivating of squirrels to listen to John, and that's saying something. He will also drop the softest, most fragrant athletic shoe for John. And while I taught Moose the basic commands of sit and stay for a nanosecond, John taught him to come and stay for as long as John wants him to stay. It's pretty amazing, as well as somewhat annoying.

I try not to get my nose out of joint about this, but the fact is I do pretty much everything for Moose: walk him, feed him, bathe him, take him to the veterinarian. But whenever my husband shows up, I become just another piece of furniture to walk around as far as Moose is concerned.

So I thought the Pets on Wheels program might present a new level of challenge for our dog and his whisperer. But I was wrong. They sailed through the testing aspect of the program, and Moose and John now get special invitations to represent the organization at community activities and fundraisers.

And I still can't get Moose to come when I call him.

Recently, we were asked whether we could get a photograph of Moose in formalwear to submit for possible selection as the cover of the organization's invitation to its wine-and-cheese fundraiser June 24, called "Sit, Sip & Stay." In this still-troubled economy, Pets on Wheels does not have enough funding to support the part-time administrator, who coordinates all of the testing and the volunteer assignments. My husband said it was no problem. I honestly believe my husband thinks he could get Moose to dance a pas de deux in "The Nutcracker" if necessary.

So while my husband was commuting home, I set up a bunch of bright lights in our living room. I don't know why I did this, except that this is what they do at the Sears portrait studio and it seems to work for them. I ironed a tablecloth and poured two glasses of wine, one to use as a prop and one to get me through the photo session.

When my husband got home, he lifted Moose into our antique chair and told him to stay. I was ready with treats but apparently I had already blended into the upholstery in Moose's eyes. John took several photos, somehow subliminally directing Moose to present his most regal expression. He's now on the cover of the invitation, looking pretty much like he just dropped by to support Pets on Wheels on his way home from several Academy Awards galas.

In fact, Moose has been invited to attend the fundraiser with John. Oh, and you can be sure I'll be there too. After all, they'll surely need some help picking up the yard when it's all over.