White Dog, Steve and I agreed that until Bella's optical edema clears up her "walks" will be confined to the backyard, territory that is relatively unchanging and very familiar to our Tiny Dancer. There is less chance, we think, that her impaired vision will cause her to step off a curb or take a tumble. Also, we hope it will prove less stressful or upsetting to her dementia; being blind in one eye temporarily has added to her manic behaviors a times.. So at night, Steve harnesses up our Little One and carries her out to the yard when she prances and trots and wanders...safely, as he oversees.
The change leaves the two "Big Girls," Zsofia and Bailey, to pair up to become Steve's only Neighborhood Walk Team. White Dog, and Roman already take their final evening constitutional in the yard...and Opal refuses to venture out into the scary world unless it is to the vet.
A second White Dog Army harness vest has been ordered; these have a practical purpose should the Sibes decide to go on "Walk About" sans dad they likely would not encourage up close reading of their collar tags so the contact info loud and proud on their sides might aid in their recovery.
Meantime it has been a matter of learning a new dance. Walking with Bella or alone with Steve is VERY different than the girls walking TOGETHER. Bailey does a pretty good job of kinda heeling with lots of stops to sniff garbage in the street or nuzzling under hedges. Zsofia is a puller and would love to do the entire walk at top speed. Steve's arms ached the first night from the tension of the leashes wrapped around his hand.
Steve laughs that they will develop the rhythm and coordination needed for all three to walk in harmony...just about at the time Bella wants to once again explore the neighborhood.
1 comment:
Those dance steps sound pretty complicated! We are glad Dad Steve is such a loving and willing partner. :)
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