the honor of caring for a dog with DM

Chai has the greatest spirit; it is an honor to be taking care of her in her old age and in her disability. When I take her to the dog park, she gets her exercise by running over to people she knows, or doesn't know. She just loves people, and as she comes stumbling up to them, dragging her hind legs, they can see her beautiful heart, and respond with pleasure. One dog park woman, in a wheel chair, has a special bond with Chai, and is jealous of the dog cart.

Last night I took Chai camping at Gila Hot Springs. She jumped right into the river, or rather fell in, splashed around, sat, barked, and then started to shiver. So I took her into the hotsprings so she would warm up. She really didn't want to get in, but I lifted her in, and we sat quietly together for about 20 minutes, me holding her hips, both of us gently swaying in the hot pool. I helped her out and got her to lay on a towel in the sun to dry, and she started to fall asleep sitting up and almost fell over. I've never seen her do that one before.

Now we are home, relaxed and sleepy, and taking a break from Casey the new dog, (a friend is borrowing him). Chai lives for water, and the outdoors, and there will be more camping in the near future.