Prior to my recent ankle operation I thought a lot about how my temporary
disability would affect our four dogs, three Siberian Huskies and one Special
Husky. The dogs that I either run or
walk each and every day, both in the morning and in the evening, sometimes in
between... I was not worried about their
exercise needs being met as I knew that Ian would help with that. I just wondered how they would cope with the
sudden and dramatic change to their lifestyle.
I have been surprised with what I have seen so far….
The one we call “Superbrat”,” boss dog” and “little s**t” has
been the biggest surprise. The dog that
screams at the door pre 5am, demanding to go running, likes to run at
supersonic speed and has the sort of attitude that most people would consider “arrogant”
has hardly left my side. He watches my
every move and when I get up, so does he.
He sleeps on my good foot and follows me upstairs every time I struggle upstairs
on crutches. When not sleeping on my
foot he comes to check up on me, many times a day. Sometimes he just walks up to me, places his
head on my lap and them walks away again.
His brother does the same.
His brother is a very nervous dog and while lying in the
house will not allow anyone to step over him.
He leaps up and moves away. Yet
when I try to manoeuvre around him on crutches or wheelchair assisted he
remains where he is, but tucks his feet out the way. He hates being brushed and yet this week he
has patiently stood or lie on the ground as I brushed him from a wheelchair.
Our eldest dog that struggles every day with breathing and
disorientation has appeared to be very quiet and relaxed. On such a hot day like today I feared he
would be huffing and puffing all day long, but no, he was just slept in either
the living room or kitchen with the odd little potter up to me to say hello.
All three Siberian Huskies appear to have accepted the
change and are very accommodating in managing their behaviour around me. I have known these guys since the day they
were born. I guess they know me well and
the trust and respect that I have given them is now being repaid in full.
Meanwhile, Spike is the one that I worry about. We know that he does not cope well with change. He likes routine and patterns, each and every
day. Feed him in a different spot and he
will not eat. Take him on a different
route and he becomes fearful, holding back until his confidence is given a
boost by his human companion. Spike has
experienced pain, trauma and surgery. He
has endured long rest periods and exercise restrictions that I would not
enforce upon my worst enemy. For some
reason I thought that he would be the one that understood.
But I was wrong. I
need to keep reassuring him. Cuddles and
hugs help, but still he jumps at every opportunity – when I try to go past one
crutches or in my chair. He looks at me
with a fearful expression on his face.
He does not understand and it scares him. The others trust and respect me and know that
whatever I do they will be okay, they have nothing to fear. Spike has never known this level of trust and
confidence and I feel very saddened about that fact. I want to alleviate his fears and let him
know that it is okay, he has nothing to worry about, but cannot because the connection
that he and I have does not give that to him.
But that is okay, I can give him some extra hugs and try to
explain to him how life is different now and it is okay. One day soon we will run together, just like we used to :-)
