8 months 1 week 1 day old
So, I went up to the shops this morning (I live very close to my local shops) with Knightley, to get a prescription filled and do some socialisation training. However, I pretty seriously overestimated my energy reserves, because on the way out of the shops after I'd done what I needed to do, the efforts of the last couple of days caught up with me. I started having some serious trouble just putting one step in front of each other and my body was cramping up and in serious pain. I had hooked the foam handle to his training vest before we left, not to use it but just so Knightley could get used to its presence. But when I started to go into exhaustive collapse, I needed Knightley to help get me home. Someone came up to me just outside the shops and asked if I needed help - obviously I looked pretty bad - but I said my dog would help me get home. Unfortunately it got harder the further I went. The great thing is, he did help me. I used the handle and he gave me a little pull the whole way home. He was slow, and very patient as I was stopping really often. Whenever I stopped he leant against my leg and looked up at me. He really knew what was going on. I think if he hadn't been with me I could have had a bit of a panic attack which happens occasionally in situations like that where I feel utterly helpless. When we finally got home I gave him a big hug and told him thank you like a hundred times. He just panted gently, looked up into my eyes and wagged slowly.
What a good dog!!!!! I can't use Knightley to pull me much at all until he is at least 18 months old and he has stopped growing, otherwise I could risk damaging his joints. But when I am desperate for a bit of help, he's there for me. He was wonderfully behaved inside the shops, and we did a good bit of backing up in real world situations, which went really well too. I am just feeling so lucky to have him in my life today, and he gave me a glimpse of what is to come in 8-9 months.
We had a fantastic retrieve session last night as well. He is making great progress on picking up things like lids straight from the ground, which takes some precision and practice as it's quite tricky. I just have to stop him pawing them, as he does that occasionally to try to get them in a better position to pick them up. I am really proud of what he has achieved.
My legs are still absolutely killing me, so I think I'm going to have a rest now.
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