Dharma has some slight mobility issues — nothing horrible yet, but you won’t see her jetting around anywhere. She was never one to entertain an audience with zoomies. Currently, her perception that “floors without rugs are lava” includes “and deck steps are fire.”
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night…
No matter the time of day or conditions outside, I am equipped with a pink lead and my medieval peasant shoes acting as her escort. About 50% of the time, just laying the lead across her back is enough. Once down the steps, she’s just fine.
The upside is she at least doesn’t need an escort to come back up the steps. She can do that all by herself.
Unlike Dharma, Merida is athletic.
Merida bounds off the steps and jumps in the air as poor Dharma navigates her way down two small steps to the yard. She’ll grab the leash and pull Dharma off if she moves too slowly. She’s our entertaining little show off with more energy than any dog deserves.
Now you know: Queen Anne of Great Britain had seven miscarriages, five stillbirths, two children who died shortly after birth, two who died in infancy, and one who died at age 11. She left no heirs and was succeeded by her second cousin.