Walter’s First Snow, Shoveling a Safe Path
Doc’s alarm went off at 4:40am Tuesday morning becuase a significant amount of snow was forcasted for overnight and into the next morning. She knew the roads would be bad and wanted to give herself extra time for the commute. What she didn’t expect was a little puppy that would be so afraid of the snow, that he didn’t want to go to the bathroom on that strange, cold white stuff.
Cautioously, Walter approched the top of the step going down into the yard after Doc opened the back door. First he put his paw on the snow and quickly pulled it away. “ Too cold” he must have thought to himself. Next he licked it to see what it tasted like and seemed to like the cold consistency. All the while Doc stood by, still in her pajamas and bed head hair looking exasperated and wondering how she would get him to feel safe enough to go into the yard to do his business. Anyone that would have been watching would have gotten a chuckle. But I assure you Doc wasn’t laughing.
Finally, after Doc continued to encourage and cajole him for what seemed like fifteen minutes, Walter went into the yard and started digging. I supose he was trying to unearth the grass that had been there just last last night. After that plan didn’t work, he finally found one spot without snow near the house in the mulch and that is where he finally used the bathroom. At this point, Doc didn’t care, she was just trying to leave early for work.
After a very slow and long commute, they arrived safe and sound at the office. Now the task would be getting Walter to use the bathroom in back of the buidling that was also covered in snow. Poor Doc, with all the things she is resposible for, she just needed a little cooperation and help. That is when one of my favorite people, Bob came to the rescue. He is the Building’s Manager and always has a solution and extra large Milk Bones on hand. It just so happens that he came out in back of the building and saw the dilemma Walter was having and you know what? The next time Doc took Walter out, Bob had shoveled a path in the snow exposing the grass for Walter to feel more comfortable. What a kind thing to do.
It just goes to show you that it doesn’t take a big gesture to help someone feel safe and more comfortable. Walter being a puppy, is still learning, just like I did when i was in training to be a therapy dog. It’s ok if the human’s in Walter’s life encourage him along the way. We can all use a little encouragement sometimes.