If you see a whole thing - it seems that it's always beautiful. Planets, lives... But up close a world's all dirt and rocks. And day to day, life's a hard job, you get tired, you lose the pattern. - Ursula K. LeGuin

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Walking Miss Pupzilla

When we moved into our new home last January many things in our lives improved.  However the house is in a very "walking unfriendly" neighborhood and that has been a big disappointment to me.  I didn't realize that it has also been affecting Pupzilla.

For several years (and three houses) now, Pupzilla has made ample use of a backyard.  However in the old house I also took her on long walks to the park.  This was an activity we both enjoyed.  In the new house I drove her to the park once.  While there she bit another dog and she hasn't been on a walk since.

On Saturday it took her a long time to get out of bed and then she proceed to fall down.  One of her back legs just refused to work.  The vet told us that she had a "touch of arthritis" in that knee and the humidity was through the roof.  We figured that her arthritis was acting up.  Still it was sad and a little scary to see fall down the steps and not be able to get up on the couch.  In a few hours she was doing better but I decided we needed to be diligent about her exercise.

So we've been taking a constitutional after dinner every night.  Each night she goes a little further and tonight her step was jaunty.  We walk along the busy street until we can turn into a little neighborhood-y section.  There are no sidewalks but the streets are quiet there.  She walks as far as she likes and then takes a section of leash in her mouth to gently turn me around and lead me back home.  

4 comments:

Joan Kane Nichols said...

Walk on, Pupzilla.

As someone with a "touch of arthritis" myself, I know how important those daily outings are, even (especially) one is a bit stiff starting out.

post-doc said...

What a sweetheart - good girl, Pupzilla.

Chloe and I still walk daily - it's a bit harder now that she can't see, but it's really good for both of us to stay with the routine.

So while I'm sorry that the neighborhood isn't walk-friendly, I'm glad you're finding a way to make it work.

Seeking Solace said...

The Boy has stopped going for walks. I think it's just too hard with the tumor and arthritis.

It is hard to see our fur-kids slow down. We know they are puppies at heart.

Annie said...

It's sweet, the part about her gently turning you around and leading you home. It sounds like the exercise is a great help to her.