As I turn the key and enter the front door I am acutely aware of his presence. He is over in the corner of the kitchen quietly shaking and wondering who I am. Although I could cry for him, I don’t. He needs to feel strength right now to move forward so he can be free. I turn around and crawl backwards slowly towards him. I don’t want to overwhelm him. Once the leash is on, we are now connected and my calmness and strength are passed to him.
We head out through the trails and I can feel his breathing pattern change. He is becoming more relaxed. His nose starts to kick in, a sign he’s becoming more “dog”. I know before I turn my head that he is smiling and I can’t think of any where else that I’d rather be than here in this moment.