The Calm After the Storm

She's been here 2 1/2 weeks now, and I'm amazed at (and grateful for) how much life with Mabel has calmed down. Our routines are not nearly back to normal, and B. and I still haven't both left the house for any real length of time (twice, we've taken walks around the neighborhood while leaving Mabel in her crate to see how she does: the first time, she calmed down after a while; the second time, she was still howling away by the time we had to come back inside). But it's definitely, absolutely better today than it was two weeks ago. This week, for the first time since she came to us, I feel like I might even be able to work a halfway normal schedule, without falling too much further behind. She's clearly feeling at home these days, and she's calmer. Tomorrow, her stitches come out, and the plastic comes off her ear flap. Then we schedule her spaying.

We're learning more about her every day, but what has become more obvious than perhaps anything else (beyond her sweetness) in the last couple weeks is that this sweet dog is an absolute klutz. It's as if she has no concept of space, no realization of what surrounds her. She steps on--and sits on--Chance (and is lucky that Chance is so laid-back). She turns and shakes her head right into walls and door frames. She tumbles down the steps from the deck to the yard. She made herself bleed twice over the course of just 5 or 6 days. The first time even required a late-night visit to our regular vet (not the vet who usually sees Mabel, whose office was closed), who--perhaps overhearing me mention the possibility to Brandi just before she came into the exam room--said she didn't see any signs of neurological problems. I'm not entirely convinced that there isn't something more going on, but it does seem possible that Mabel really is just clumsy and awkward--and so curious and excited about what's happening around her that she just doesn't pay enough attention to what's stationary around her or to where her body is going.

But she's getting a little better--at least with the steps. With help, she's learning to take them slowly, one step at a time, and I'm doing my best to make sure she's not distracted while she goes down them. She hasn't fallen down or stumbled on them in at least a couple days, which is definite progress. But she's still periodically sitting on Chance.