Now that I know it's ok for Winston to load and unload on the ramp (we were trying to avoid it as much as possible until we heard the bone had healed), we're starting to venture out of the neighborhood for some of our walks. Mostly it's working out great, the dogs love getting away, we get to practice loading and unloading (that's important since it's only me, and I have to control both dogs while I get the ramp set up and taken down), and we get to practice manners in different surroundings.
Winston had his second swimming session yesterday, and it was better than the first time. I took Josie with me which seemed to make it easier for Winston; he was perfectly willing to follow her through the building out into the pool area. They just let Josie wander around that area while they got him into the pool. I was worried that she'd go over to the fence where the doggie daycare is and bark at them through the fence, but she just ignored them (good girl!).
Winston didn't want to get into the pool, so they had to help him along into it, but once he was in the water, he swam normally without the panick that he had the first time. He made it to four minutes this time, so 30 seconds more than last time. He was pretty exhausted when he got out, and is a little limpy today, so again we've shortened some of our walks, but not all.
Those neighborhood walks do wonders for the spirits! Gracie and I are up to 30 minutes in the morning. She's pretty tired by the end of the walk though and is ready for a nap. We're trying to walk about 10 minutes in the evening. It's so cool that you have a swimming pool nearby. Keep up the good work Winston!
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