Susie-Belle’s expectations

When Susie-Belle first came to us, one thing we really noticed that was different with her was her lack of expectation. She simply never seemed to expect anything to happen, to do anything, to have anything given to her. She wasn’t unhappy, in fact she seemed very serene in her own patient world. This makes sense if we think of a world that had largely been a very small, unfriendly one, where there were never opportunities to expect anything exciting, or nice to happen.

However, one major change we’ve noticed that has subtly but firmly been taking place in Susie-Belle is that she now has expectations. It’s so wonderful to see her trot up to us now in the expectation of getting a biscuit treat, to see her push forward to have her harness put on in expectation of going out for a walk, to bounce down the garden to meet and greet Michel when he comes home and to expect to share a cuddle-fest with him.

But this week, the funniest demonstration of Susie-Belle’s great expectations was yesterday when I sat on the sofa eating my lunch, a chicken salad. Now, we don’t usually encourage either of the girls to beg food when we’re eating, and don’t normally give in to any pleading looks they throw. However, in a moment of weakness – and Susie-Belle did look particularly delectable – I gave her the teeniest piece of cooked chicken. Well, this wasn’t enough for our darling foodie, her little front paws came up on my lap and her bottom was wiggling away with excitement. So I did what I don’t do very often with her and made her sit, as she popped her bottom on the floor, she emitted the funniest little bark, it was very amusing and I can’t decide whether it was a protest bark or a thank you bark.  Take your pick. Either way, our foodie Susie got another piece of chicken.