An Old Dog Can Learn New Tricks!

  Developing any malady is not fun.  Let that malady be something that causes you not to be able to function as well as you once did and frustration adds insult to injury.  Rcently, I noticed a swelling on the back of my leg just behind my knee.  Yep, that thing started causing problems so now I have to limit my everyday activities.  In view of the problems some folks endure, I should not complain and try not to whine to very much.  It is only that I am accustomed to going nonstop from before sunrise until well after dark.  This stupid pain (and swelling) puts a kink in the plans for the day occasionally. I have learned that ladders are not my friend anymore and that long hikes seem a lot longer nowadays.  I am supposed to "rest" the leg for now.  Ha!

  As with all things, there is usually a silver lining to the darkest clouds.  One positive thing came from all of this.  Taking the dog all the way down the hill to do his business was starting to become a tad difficult.  Since Mr. PJ has only been with us for a few weeks, he had not learned the routine too well.  He was used to being in a fenced backyard instead of in the wide open space of the Bayou.  There are too many exciting scents that egged the curious side of the dog to explore more than he should.  Training him to go all the way down the hill and then promptly return took a few days.  But the old dog is super smart.  By the third day, Mr. PJ had even learned to open the gate by himself on his return.  I go out with him, unlock the gate and then wait on the steps.  When he is finished, he comes back, bumps the gate until it opens and happily comes inside.  I think he is proud of himself for learning to do this and equally proud to be out on his own for a little while.