Relocating for Love

Short break in my work schedule to show why I've had to move my 'work station' back to the kitchen table vs. the study...

My sweet 'little' man Duke. As his leg gets worse and he can't walk on the *$(#&% hardwoods that make up the *entire* first floor of this house, he is literally stuck in one room. The living room. I'm sure he feels like a Shamu trapped in a fishbowl and I hate it for him.

He's anxious and scared about his limited access, as he is very used to following me around. Everywhere. But these days, his fear outweighs his desire to be near me so he doesn't dare walk on the wood floors to get to me in the study. To him, the hardwoods might as well be hot coals. As his strength in his leg evaporates, so does his courage and it is heartbreaking to watch. This animal is NOT accustomed to not venturing where he so chooses. So what does he do? He cries. And 'talks'. Non-stop.

Whenever I come around the corner to try and quiet him, he ducks his head down as if he's embarrassed and wags his little nub of a tail.

So...I relocated back to the kitchen table and reclaimed it as my home office (sorry family). My back is aching from leaning over and not being able to sit up straight, but I'm enjoying the scenery via the bay windows that make up the walls of my once-again that Spring has so generously delivered to the back yard and am satisfied knowing I'm easing my Duke's mind. My love for him is greater than my need for a comfortable chair. He's worth it.

And just so you don't think he's entirely down-and-out. A couple times a day he acts like a teenager and invites me to join him in the backyard to play. Of course, I oblige him every time knowing one day, probably all too soon, I won't be able to and will wish I had done it when I had the chance. I knowlingly don't do regret well, so we play until he poops out. Every time. His mind is still fully intact, just not the nerves down his back, left leg and he just doesn't understand. Part of the reason I get the invitations, I'm sure, is after playing he always gets a back and leg massage. Yep...my massages are famous and just because he's a dog (shhhhh...he doesn't know that) he doesn't get skipped over.

I love you big man! Always.