My mom was here visiting and we took Chai to Bear Dam Lake for swimming. Chai doesn't walk well at all anymore, but as soon as the car door was opened, she dragged her hind end down to the water and took off. Yes, that's her in the middle of the lake in the photo!
Casey is on his way to a new home. Which is good because he is way too rough with Chai. In the car, he mashes her into the back seat, steps on her to get out first, and generally runs roughshod over her. At home, he went under her to get a toy, stood up, and lifted her right off the floor. OK, that was a bit funny...
Speaking of funny, during our heat wave last week, I came home, opened the front door, and couldn't find Chai. My heart pounded - how had she disappeared? Then I heard a sound from the bathroom. She had gotten into the tub! (it's probably the coolest spot in the house). It has a foot and a half high lip - I don't know how she got in there, and it appeared that she couldn't get out again. I sat on the toilet lid and couldn't help laughing for a long time before helping her out.
We went downtown this morning, to the outdoor art market. Chai knows some of the vendors, so I took her out of the car to visit. I wish I didn't feel this way, but sometimes I'm embarrased to bring her out in public. She really does look rather pathetic, dragging her rear legs as she walks. I don't mind so much at the dog park, because most of the people there know her condition and appreciate her for who she is, but new people stare and I wonder if some of them are thinking "Why doesn't she just put that dog down?" I take whatever opportunity I can to educated people about degenerative myelopathy, to explain that other than that she's pretty healthy and her spirit is still strong. But today I didn't feel like explaining.
After trying to get Chai to just lay down in one spot, I let her go back and forth between the booths, and realized it was like she was at a party, enjoying a social life. So I relaxed. She's been sleeping since we got home, and I'm glad she got some stimulation today.
