The Little Things

The other night I watched Shane go out to the backyard. There is a chair next to the first set of stairs and a sofa next to the second set of stairs. I watched him head for the chair and then turn to go down the first set, and then head for the sofa before going down the second set. He used to just run out. He seemed more deliberate this time and used the larger objects to clue him. Even when I escort him out, he follows the same path.

Last week in class, Shane jumped at 8 inches and looked pretty good. I set up a course at home so we could play and he refused a few jumps and even the weave poles a few times. We only have one more month of classes before we quit and I hope we make it to the end. I fear this week will be his last class.

Shane follows me everywhere now. He sits at my feet while we watch TV. He sleeps at my feet at night. He doesn't play with toys anymore. I looked up depression for dogs in my "Living with Blind Dogs" book and it seems to fit his behavior. Massage was the remedy and he hates to be touched. Great.

I felt a little sorry for myself this weekend and looked through old videos to see if I had one of Shane jumping when he was still at 16 inches. He looked so good. This video was from March 2008, when he was barely 2 years old. No sign of Early Takeoff yet.

Sunday was going to be a good day. We were watching the Belgium Grand Prix and then going to see Senna. There was a contest to show a picture of your dog watching the race, so I sent this photo. Made me smile. I had to wake him up for the photo and he went back to sleep right after.

Sunday. Spa. Shane.