Our Truman had a completely predictable constitutional routine. Lucky is less fortunate. He is quite regularly up in the night with an urgent need; he seems to suffer from the 'Ridgeback belly'.
Last night, not for the first time by any means, we were up with the boy at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6AM. Each time, he needed urgently to go to the park opposite, as we don't have a garden. Happily, a system has evolved; Lucky taps on the bedroom door, and one of us jumps up to take him out. He never abuses this system, which he invented. If he taps, it only means one thing- shoes on, and straight out the door.
Though I will never claim to be thrilled by it, my heart always breaks for him at these times; these episodes always upset him much more than it does us. I don't ordinarily believe in comforting dogs (it usually only results in making them more worried), but we obviously make an exception on these occasions. He needs it.
Who knows how he figured out such a specific way to let us know in this particular situation that he has this need? He never taps on our door for any other reason.
We love our dogs always, but we love them so much more when they're unwell, don't we?
Today, he had a quiet day. Calton Hill, Hunter's Bog, and Longniddry Bents. A busy day for most, quiet for our Lucky. No climbing.
After, he felt sorry for himself on the couch. It was allowed.
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