They may not use words, but I think they communicate in many ways.
When I arrived at my daughter's house today, this darling showed her joy at seeing me. She got out of bed, came to greet me, and then ran around, back and forth, being playful, to show how happy she was to see me. She hadn't seen me since Friday. She knows I feed her, take her for many walks, take her to the dog park where she has some favorite friends, dogs and people. I go out and visit other dogs during the day, and on some of those visits, she goes with me to walk other dogs. She knows she won't be stuck at home with little going on and little activity when I am on duty.
I think she has opinions about which way we are going, when and if we should leave the dog park now, if she should get another treat. She also lets you know when she wants to go home, and to bed. If I have no other appointments, I let her have input. I am there to take care of her.
She loves to lay in the grass. Today we were out for a walk and she decided to lay down. I waited for her for a while, let her enjoy laying in the grass, which she really does love. I sat down and waited, maybe 5 minutes. Sometimes I have to be careful if I have a timeline or an agenda. If we walk across the grass, she will lay down and stay there, because she likes it.
I don't know if I have told the part of why I take care of her everyday? Before she was 6 months old, her belly filled up with fluid and it had to be drained. When she was spayed, they looked at her liver and saw that it was scarred. She had to have her belly drained maybe 4 times in her first year. At one time, the vet wanted to put her down at about 8 months. The vet said she wouldn't live to be a year. My daughter begged if they could try medication or other options. They put her on several medications. They have been working!
My daughter is a busy girl, always on the go. The dog was in a crate too much. I told her I would watch the dog when she had places to go and things to do so she wouldn't have a miserable life. That is why the dog and I just spend so much time having a nice time, doing dog activities. In November, she will be 3 years old. We never would have expected her to live this long. Neither did the vets. I thought I was giving up a few months of my life so that the dog would have a more pleasant short life. We think that has probably extended her life.
In the process, I have been approached by people to do professional pet care on someone else's clock and schedule. I can't. I have a priority. I have had several people approach me to let their dogs out, feed them and walk them during the day. I can and do that.
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