Day 190

11/21/22

Today was "shot day" for our youngest boy. His first appointment was cancelled because of our quarantine, so today I decided we needed to make this happen. Sam wasn't as convinced!

I made a nice bed in the front seat out of a quilt so that he could be near me for the three mile trip. I also adjusted his collar for his rapid growth and we were off...well, I was off.

Poor Sam didn't want ANYTHING to do with getting into that car! I suddenly regretted loosening that collar! I bribed, I connived and finally picked him up and gently placed him in the car. We were not off to a good start!

When we arrived, I moved around to the passenger side and donned my mask. He took one look at me and wouldn't budge. It was if he was saying, "My mommy put me in this car and she told me all about stranger danger!" Needless to say, he was carried into the clinic.

Once inside, he was instantly pampered and adored by every staff member around. He kept glancing at me and I knew he much preferred the staff to the "stranger" with the mask! We were escorted to the scale (39 pounds!) and then the tech and doctor continued the love...this time accompanied by treats. I wasn't sure he would leave when the time came.

The doctor actually got down on the floor and snuggled him nose to nose. She kissed the top of his head and told me she had never seen a dog who was born to do Therapy Dog work until today. The lovefest went on for quite some time and I now KNEW I would be carrying the big guy out to the car.

As I got into the car, I removed my mask and a very tired, grateful pup placed his trusting head in my lap. On the short ride home, I started to think about trust. Sam didn't really fight me on the way there, while there or on the way home. He was not compliant, but he was very sweet when I moved him from points A to B to C... I was aware that he really knew it was me and that I was his safe person. Other than carrying him, he was so well-behaved and gentle. Putting myself in his paws, I discovered a new sense of understanding. I must do everything to keep that trust in his heart.

My mind wandered to trusted people in my life. I have sometimes been called naïve, but I have only had a few people fall off that trust pedestal. That's a pretty good percentage.

Trusting people and being trustworthy go hand-in-hand. I can't think of any successful relationship lacking a mutual trust. Now, I realize that it is quite simple to trust those who do not impact your life to a great degree. Trust seems to go on a parallel continuum with those closest to our hearts. The more people mean to us, the more we trust them...or perhaps, the more we trust them, the more they mean to us. Whichever came first, the chicken or the egg, trust is imperative in all cherished relationships. Just ask Sam. He would tell you he trusts me implicitly...unless there are no treats! Then he is moving to the veterinarian's office!