Tag: Different

Rachell snags her little sidekick and heads down the stairs to her car. She decides to take Chester to the small walking track and kid’s playground not far from the house. There is a jungle gyn and a playhouse for the kiddies to romp around. They both need a workout to keep fit and this is going to be how they support each other physically and she says as much to him.

“We’re here, Chessie. Let’s plan to do this regularly for our physical exercise a couple or three times a week, ok?” Rachell suggests on arrival at the park.

Chester approves as he exuberantly bounces onto Rachell’s lap to display his agreement. “I’d really like that a lot. In my support-dog mode, this will be my PHYSICAL SUPPORT!”

Rachell yells at the tv for her basketball team running up and down the court as fast as they can “GO VOLS! It’s March madness, Chester!”

Chester has no idea what Rachell is referring to, but he jumps on her lap to show his interest in what she is so excited about.

This is the last weekend in March with all day and all night basketball tournament playoffs. Chester finds himself lounging with Rachell in her favorite recliner, watching the tube and snoozing at half-times and between games. She nibbles on chips and dips of all kinds. The specialty edible Rachell shares his way is some steak meat. She takes the time to cut up some leftover tender ribeye meat as his snack. She feeds him bite by bite at winning moments for fans in Vol country.

“What a treat. I might just get used to this extravagance,” is his thought as he drools over the surprise, then gobbles the wonderfulness. Chester may not realize the significance but he is certain he loves of all this celebration as he reels, “‘”I’m all VOLS SUPPORT!”

Rachell and Chester are cozy together in her favorite recliner listening to some soft rock and roll music. Chester loves this time with his caregiver. He climbs around on her lap and curls in a ball to snuggle.

Today he tiptoes up her belly toward her neck and stretches his legs out to lay flat along her torso.

Rachell tells him, “I am so pleased when you do me this way, Chester! You have no idea how happy I am when you give me this kind of attention. This is your hug of emotional support, little man!”

He is beginning to get an idea about emotional support now. He feels Rachell’s peacefulness when he relaxes on her in this way. He gives her a tiny lick to let her know she is making him glad to be able to help her in with such a small gesture.

Chester decides, “I’m going to make her day going forward with my SUPPORT HUGS!”

“Here we go again,” Chester acknowledges when Rachell heads to the back yard again after several training days. She sets him down in the grassy arena and extends his leash so that he can wander at will. He noses around a few feet surrounding and catches a whiff of an unfamiliar scent. He decides to deposit some of his own scent on the spot to cover up the smell.

Chester is surprised and overjoyed when Rachell exclaims, “That’s it, Chester! What a good boy you are!” followed up with one of his favorite gingerbread treats.

While he reflects doing job 1 in his own backyard he thinks, “I believe I have hit the mark. I’m going to call this FREEDOM GRASS!”

Day 3 of setting Chester’s routine to go outside and play arrived. Rachell decides to take him to the front yard this time so that he gets the idea that walking and playing can happen any where any time there is grass to be found. She envisions them taking strolls on the guided path in the small park at the end of their neighborhood where there is a spot for kids to jump and swing on colorful playground equipment. What fun she plans for them to enjoy in the years ahead.

Rachell picks up Chester and they head to the front lawn. He does not hesitate to follow her as she heads toward the driveway. He trails her direction, sniffing around as they proceed wondering, “Where is Rachell taking me today?” 

Everything is going nicely until they reach the edge of pavement. He stops abruptly and sits down facing the unfamiliar terrain and does not budge onto the paved area.

He pulls back on the leash to let Rachell know, “I’m not going there under any circumstances.”

She bends down and tugs on his lead to coax Chester across the strange surface inviting him, “Come on, bun. It’s okay, come this way,”

Rachell realizes he is not about to tiptoe onto the driveway, so she lets the plan go for today. She is proud to see him bounce to and fro as he learns grass is safe, solid ground. He is glad she releases the pressure from his leash.

Chester is relieved and reflects, “Yes, success today getting out for THIRD GRASS!”

Rachell decides to make an adjustment to Chester’s routine with a short outing to the back yard every day. The season is the middle of winter. She knows she won’t be 100 percent successful, but she plans to give her all. This is the second day of their schedule change.

Rachell picks Chester up and heads for the front door saying to herself as she goes, “Let’s see what happens on your second day in the grass.”

Once outside and down the front steps, she sets him on the tan grassland to see if he would like to explore. Chester stands stationary in his tracks and sniffs the grass surrounding. He looks up at her to see if she gives him a clue for what is next. Rachell lightly tugs on his leash to try to nudge him out of his stance. He lifts his left paw and tests a spot next to where he stands. She sees he is investigating the area under his feet. Interestingly, he is unsure of the ground he stands on. He wants to be certain the earth is solid. He lifts his paw and pauses briefly before repeating the same action on the right. He seems assured both sides are hard enough for him to move forward on the lawn and does so. 

Rachell notices he pauses at first movement into his new playground pondering which direction to take. Chester takes a stride with his left paw and follows closely with his right.

He stops and plops down exhibiting all he plans for today while he professes, “That’s all I’m doing, Mom. Consider this second grass!”

Chester’s first outside adventure to the backyard came to Rachell on the spur of a moment. She hustled him up with a scoop and tug to her chest for safety. She moved down the steps to the floor landing that provides the door to exit to the grass sprawling in the back of her house. Chester looks up at her wondering where she is taking him this time. The sun shines in brightly as the door springs wide open. Rachell pushes the storm door after unlashing the handle and steps onto the light teal stoop outside. She lets the door fall shut behind her and proceeds to the stone landing that leads to the grass. Chester hugs tightly to her as she maneuvers to his new playground. Rachell sets him gently on the greens with a short leash to make sure he is unable to escape from her.

Much to her surprise, Chester just lies flat down on the surface of the earth.

Then, he starts to shake. Surely, he is not afraid she thinks to herself, but wonders acutely to this reaction. Maybe he is a bit anxious she concludes. Rachell reaches down to pet him in hope of making him more comfortable to explore around. He sniffs the air to new aromas as he faces the sunshiny afternoon. Next, he noses the immediate greenery surrounding him, but does not get up to take a step. Rachell lets him explore at his own speed. After a short time and a tiny pull on the leash, she realizes his is not going to budge.

“That is okay. I am not going to force you to step in the grass today, little guy.” Rachell assures him.

“In time, Chester. Maybe tomorrow,” she finishes as she picks him up to return to his safe zone inside.

Rachell makes her own goal to try again the following day. Be patient with him, she reminds herself.

Chester pulls into her closely and expresses his relief as he conveys, “Maybe tomorrow, Rachell. Thank you for this outing. We will call today my FIRST GRASS!”