Today marks the end of a six-week recuperation for our dog. He sustained a back injury in the pursuit of a tennis ball. In addition to being restricted to no walks, the vet put him on a diet. After bleary eyed days on pain killers and muscle relaxants he recovered enough to passionately lobby to hit the trail again. Dogs may not speak, but they can definitely convey demands. The vet relented and allowed him out on gentle one-mile walks. It was a relief for all of us. Until then my husband and I hid our boots, hats and jackets in the garage so we could guiltily sneak out without him. We can now resume our three mile route. And in the meantime we’re beginning to see his puppyish waist again.
(This is a Labrador action shot. His tail was caught in motion here and looks shorter than normal. And the white spot on his snout? Happy slobber.)