It’s the little things

Over the past few months Susie-Belle has made good, steady progress with us and every week we notice and comment on how happy she seems and how much less we see any anxiety related behaviour these days but it’s not until yesterday that I really realised just how much it’s the little things that show how “normal” she’s becoming.

On our afternoon walk yesterday she did something that is so common in schnauzers but which we’ve never seen her do before. For anyone that has a schnauzer I’m sure you’ll have noticed how whenever the teeniest bit of leaf or twig, or grass, or petal, or anything attaches itself to their inner leg, foot, between their toes, pads, bottom, tummy, they stop still and look pathetic until you’ve gone back and removed said annoying object and then trot on as normal.  Jasmine our old lady was a precious little madam in this regard and couldn’t bear to take a step if something as light as a feather got stuck in her leg hairs, Renae’s not quite as dramatic but she does have the trait.

Well, Susie-Belle hasn’t ever really done it, not that we’ve really noticed anyway. But yesterday, she stood stock still, wouldn’t budge and looked pleadingly at me. I was so moved as it was such a profound demonstration of her willingness now to expect me to help her out, to remove the irritation, to recognise that she didn’t have to put up with the annoyance. No longer does she have to be stoical Susie-Belle.

It may seem an OTT reaction to anyone who hasn’t met a puppy farm breeder, but for me, it was a step forward that showed she not only trusts we’ll help her, but now expects us to.  Thank you my poppet girl.