Tag: rescue

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!”

Winter is in full swing. Chester’s thin hair and bare skin cause chills to beset him any time, any day. Rachell buys him little outfits to keep him warm and toasty on these cold days and nights. She overdoes this sometimes, so he has many for her to chose from. His personality beams through each outfit when he is sporting one of her choices.  

Chester is wearing his Adidog suit today. He knows he is going to go out and run at the park at some point this afternoon. He gets excited to make Rachell aware that he is in on the plan. His outfit is sweatshirt-like and covers him neck to paws. This one will certainly keep him warm to play outside on this cold day.

He follows her every step as she gets ready to go. He dances around her going room to room to collect belongings for their excursion to exercise. Rachell reaches for her coat and puts it on.

Finally, she grabs her keys and asks him, “Are you ready to go, big dog?”

Chester jumps as high as he can to reply his readiness. She picks him up and pulls him close. Then they head out into the frigid wind.

Chester snuggles tightly to her chest as if to thank her for one of his “his oodles of outfits.”

The holiday season is filled with fun and laughter at Rachell’s house. She tends to go overboard some years, but that is the way some things go. And Chester does not complain. He gets all kinds of treats, toys, clothes and other special things like many children do at Christmas.

Chester sniffs amongst the wrapped gifts to see what he can find. He crouches low and steps on the gifts as he circles the tree poking his nose into every nook. He discovers one package that crackles like his treats do, so he pauses there a moment to see if he can get it open.

Rachell tells him to “Stop that, little one. You will get that surprise very soon.”

Chester moves from the present and hops into his new bed. He knows this one is his.

He beams as he looks toward Rachell as if to say, “Thanks, Mom. Merry Christmas!”

Rachell lays Chester on the softest blanket she has with a pillow for him to sleep against. He stares up at her with his ears perked to listen. He knows her routine by now, and the afternoon ahead is time for him to nap.

Rachell asks, “Are you ready to rest for a bit, young man? I’ve got to get back to work.” Chester cuddles into a round ball and gives her his cutest smile in response letting her know he understands.

Rachell pets his tiny head to assure him she’s going to be right there and says, “This is good for you, Chester. You are recovering by leaps and bounds. Just relax and have some puppy dreams.” He lives to please her in everything he does. He quickly slips into dreamland filled with rainbows and unicorns, pursuing his goal “to rest and recover!”   

     

“What a wonderful whiff of something,” Chester concedes as he lifts his nose skyward to take in the interesting aroma.

“What do you smell, little man?” Rachell asks as she watches him sniffing the air filled with her turkey baking for Thanksgiving dinner.

She waits for a distinct intensity that tells her the bird is done. She heads to the kitchen to take a 12-pound turkey out of the oven to rest a bit and finish the remaining casseroles and such for the once-a-year holiday meal. Chester follows closely at her heels. After the meal, Rachell carves up a small portion of turkey for Chester to enjoy. He eyeballs her cutting up the meat nugget size. He begins to hop and bop as he realizes this rare treat is for him. She sits down next to him on the floor and puts the turkey on his plate. Chester pounces on the deliciousness with zeal.

“This is an exception, Chessie, just so you know,” Rachell explains as he gobbles it up.

“This is turkey. My mom always calls it Tom Turkey,” Rachell giggles as she shares this fond recollection with Chester.

He likes to see her snickering as he scarfs up every morsel. He listens as she reminisces about good times with her mom. He jumps in her lap to show how excited he is creating a new memory with her.

Chester is so excited he stretches up and kisses her check expressing that he understands the special title her mom gives to Tom Turkey!