Behind me is where I blew my knee out, I also lost my hat on this trip. It was my favorite. :(
“What if I have to run?” I thought to myself. I felt defensive when out walking Riggs and Elsa because I was less than whole. Last summer I blew my knee out after playing on what was sort of a Ninja Warrior set up in the water of Cabo. It was the second knee bloat out and I knew that pain as soon as I fell, it was bad. At least my injuries always happen when I’m doing something fun or athletic, not just tripping on a shoelace. :)
Since Elsa had her spinal stroke, she has exhibited the same defensiveness. She is hyper aware of the dogs around and seems to be quite bothered by large dogs. As we meandered around the park, the sun coming through the trees and shining it’s warmth on us, she stopped. She let out a huge snort as I scoped the entire area. Ahhhh, there were two Greyhounds across the park, clear on the other side but they made her feel uncomfortable. I made an executive decision and we turned around heading back where we came from. If they were going to unnerve her, why go past them? She is not a youngster needing socializing, she just needed space, big space.
Elsa is quite comfortable walking past dogs normally. That is if she has enough space between her and the other dog. She needs space after being attacked years ago so depending on the other dog she takes what space she feels she needs. She is quiet and calm walking past most. But now things have changed for her again and she feels a lesser version of herself. She knows that she is not whole per say and is more defensive. It makes sense.
If we take the time to consider what is going on with our dogs it usually makes sense. So I’m here to make her feel safe and secure.