For the past year and a bit, Lucky has come to work with me every Monday. I bought him a salon bed, and we both enjoyed our time there together- or so I thought.
In the last few months, I've had the sense that maybe he was not so comfortable in the salon. I denied it, and continued to bring him, but a couple of weeks ago, I had to admit to myself that it just wasn't working for him. I loved having him there, as did my clients (many people booked a Monday appointment specifically to see him), but I couldn't ignore his discomfort. People coming and going just isn't his thing, and the sounds of hairspray and blow dryers can't be nice for him either. But what to do about a Monday?
An extra day at Citidogs Creche is always a happy option, we certainly know that he loves it there, but as I start work a bit later on a Monday, we thought we'd first try him at home. I felt that as long as he had a very long walk first thing in the morning, as well as a busy Sunday the day before, he might be okay.
So today, we were up before dawn, and Lucky and I had a 2 1/2 hour walk in Holyrood Park. We do this walk multiple times a week already, so Lucky knows it well. The paths we take involve a lot of climbing, and half way through the walk, we usually find ourselves atop Arthur's Seat, the local high-point. Today, for the first time ever, we were all alone at the top, and it was magic.
Solitary time with my boy is precious to me, and I savour it. Of course, on the way down, we encountered lots of fun people and dogs, so he also had some running around, social time.
When we arrived back home after, I settled Lucky on his bed, got ready for work, and left. I worried that he would become bored. But when I arrived back,
snug as a bug. We shall see, but as long as he continues to enjoy his home-day to this extent, we'll have no worries. And the long, uphill walks? Good for us both!
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