May 9, 2014

The pain medication is working. Chief right from the get go in the AM is giving me great eye contact and lots of kisses. It's as if I am part of his life again. I suspect that he just hasn't felt all that well over these last several months. If what he is experiencing is similar to what we humans experience when not feeling well, then he needed all his energy to focus on 'him', 'holding 'himself together so to speak'. When this is the priority there is very little time to pay attention or to be open to those around you.
I also decided to 'take a chance' today by letting Chief off leash in the large fenced in area; of course holding my breath that he didn't run too much thus causing himself additional discomfort. He was fine. Ran a little but not too much. Of course he was very happy for this since it has been quite a while since I've allowed him to be in the larger area. I decided to do this throughout the day because early this past AM about 1AM I let him out off leash staying with him to see what he'd do. He had a great time and again did not run too much. I will try this again tomorrow. I always have the backup plan of placing him in the smaller fenced area if he in fact runs too much. So the game plan for now is rather than keep Chief in the smaller fenced in area while I play with Susie and then when Susie is in the house, walk on leash with Chief and also allow him off leash, they will get separate times with me, neither being kept in the smaller area. I'm hoping that this works; 'works' meaning that each can enjoy a high quality of life.I also will continue to ascertain the best times for Chief to be outside off leash. So far 1 AM and 6 AM are 'quality times' for this purpose because it is quiet and very little activity for him to become over-excited.

Pictures of today: