7.03.2022

July 3, 2022

 It always happens on the weekend; at our house a long holiday weekend is just about a guarantee that we will be holding something together with spit, the force of our minds, and a prayer. And this the worst weekend ever filled with BOOMS and rocket screaming fireworks.

"PLEASE, Roman, I need you to think with your head and your heart, Buddy. You do not have a safety net right now," I told my very smart but not always in control special blessing.  

When Roman saw Dr. Julia a couple of months ago, we switched out one style of Baskerville muzzle for a newer design. It gave him a bit more space inside the mask and Dr. Julia thought better circulation to fight the purple bacterial staining that happens around eyes and corners of his mouth. Roman did seem to prefer the new model but played with it more.

Last night at bedtime I noticed the side strap hanging unattached and looking closer saw that the molded rubber which formed the slot through which the strap passed had been ripped. At that moment Roman still did not realize he could now simply push the muzzle over his snout and it would dangle freely.

Roman is VERY reactive about being touched. He and I have been working on "Let me touch your nose, your chin, your mask" and he allows slight taps as long as there is a treat involved. To hold on to his face or to disassemble his collar and replace the broken muzzle and then RE-attach it is out of the question.

Fortunately, the techs at Dr. Julia's office have a magic touch and they always managed to get Roman's cooperation. BUT it is Sunday of a long weekend and the office will not be open until Tuesday.

Steve and I strategized. We would try to maintain Roman's normal routine and just ignore the mask issue. However, he would be limited to being in the gated kitchen or one of his two crates; I just cannot risk the safety of any of the others. Steve would supervise yard visits and at bedtime, after the others walked, Roman would go out to the yard by himself before being kenneled (which is his normal sleep spot).

If we can get to Tuesday Steve will drive Roman to Dr. Julia's first thing; we always have a spare muzzle. It wil be hard to keep the anxiety level hidden but I think it is imperative that everything stays "normal."

I managed to share coconut ice cream with my boy after Steve quietly removed everyone else (they has already shared bites) from the room. I must admit that it was very wonderful to SEE his smile.

Fingers crossed the holiday noises don't push Roman into a PTSD state and that Tuesday comes quickly. "We can do this, Baby Boy. Remember, do no harm," I whispered to him but sent it as a prayer to our Celestial White Dog Army Guardians.



1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hope all has been well since yesterday’s post. Roman, you can do this!