“Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: ONE SMALL STEP FOR RORY A HUGE LEAP FOR MANKIND: HEALING POST TRAUMATIC WESTIE STRESS DISORDER (PTWSD)

ONE SMALL STEP FOR RORY A HUGE LEAP FOR MANKIND: HEALING POST TRAUMATIC WESTIE STRESS DISORDER (PTWSD)

I might have revised the title of this chapter to read “ONE SMALL STEP FOR MANKIND A HUGE LEAP FOR RORY”.

You may recall in an early chapter I told you readers about being chased around the garden close to midnight in minus 18-degree weather. Bob was wearing a coat over his pyjamas with the snow outside up to his knees. I was having the time of my life. Bob was calling “Rory come!” As I was having so much fun playing chase I decided to hide behind a bush to make the game more exciting! The gentle “Come” became a bit more intense and angrier so I decided make a break for it but was nabbed by Bob by the scruff of my neck and blasted with a few “BAD DOG” exhortations. The game continued for the next few days in the cold winter freeze and Bob put a leash on me prior to placing me outside. He could grab the leash easily and haul me in like a fish on the line. The chase lost its excitement. With a hundred practices with the Come Command I did it! I came! I slink like a cheetah on the hunt and when proximate to Bob I jump in the air towards him. Not as much fun as the chase but preferable to angry exhortations!

Bob says his stressful and traumatic midnight romps in frigidity caused him PTWSD substantially raising his blood pressure, whatever that means. Bottom line I receive much praise and some warm hugs and a treat for following the Come Command. I am not perfect as to Come Command adherence, but I sense Bob, Mankind and Rory are all the better for it. Puppyhood is so easy…..sometimes.