December 3rd. Wednesday
sidenote: I bought a new DJI action camera to try to get footage of the guys (fun, not Bubba’s distress) for the log. This morning I took 4 seperate videos to show Bubba’s actions inside and outside, and when I got home found I had 4 photographs instead of video, so there’s nothing helpful.
sidenote 2: I forgot to run to the store for broth yesterday, so had to use some low-sodium chicken broth from my house, which I then watered down, for the day food.
10:30 am
While trying to write the last log item, I heard Bubba barking next door. The front door was open, so Bubba was probably reacting to Buddy reacting to a delivery driver or something, but I had to check it out. It turned out to just be them playing, and Bubba using his voice in the game.
Buddy looked like he wanted to go out. We just finished walking, so it couldn’t be that. Bubba moved over to where Buddy was signaling ‘walk!’ and stood like he also wanted to walk. I put Buddy’s leash on, and while I did Bubba was licking my arm, tail wagging – he wanted to walk, as well. I put on his leash and both guys pressed up against the door ready to head out. I opened the door and Buddy dashed out. Bubba stepped out with his front legs, and stopped. He was immediately nervous and shaking. He didn’t duck back in, though. He stood, looking around nervously. I sat down on the landing, petting his head, trying to reassure him that there was nothing wrong. I unhooked his leash, and he continued standing at the door, but now he didn’t look nervous. He stuck his head out – but although his posture had softened, he was still afraid of something out there. We ultimately gave up, he went back in and I took Buddy out.
We went to the mailbox area, and Buddy pooped again, then immediately wanted to go back home.
Bubba was waiting to play when we got back. He and Buddy tussled a little, and then Bubba goaded me into playing chase – where he surprised me again. He often uses a tactic of running around the coffee table, using that as a shield to escape me, and sometimes we’ll go back and forth around the table several times. I will reverse and meet him when he comes out by the recliner – I’d break a leg bone or worse trying to chase him around the table – and he’ll go back and forth before finally dashing out to the bedroom.
But he turned like he was going to run between the couch and coffee table, but instead just jumped up on the couch – without a running up for momentum. He just pivoted and leaped. I was wondering if I was going to have to call the vet to check on him, but all she would see is happy, playful, Bubba able to jump up on the couch with ease.
8:45 am
I worry every morning this days, that I’m going to show up and there’s going to be bad news. There never is. When I can’t find Bubba, because he’s managed to sleep in stealth under a blanket, I panic. This morning he was at the door with Buddy when I showed up, excited to see me, energetic and loud – he was very vocal today.
I stepped in and surveyed the scene. There were toys all over, which is not uncommon. I scowled when I saw a dog blanket at the foot of the couch, on the floor between the couch and the coffee table, and wondered what shinanigans these dudes had been up to. They both stood by the open front door, staring at me. It was obviously walk time. Harnesses went on, leashes got attached, and we went out.
Bubba is worse.
Immediately after stepping outside, he crouched into his defensive position. He was scared. As soon as he crossed the threshold he felt threatened by something. He tucked his tail, and started pacing anxiously on the landing. I tried sitting down and petting him, hoping he’d calm down and see there was no threat, and it was safe to go for a walk. He didn’t come out of the posture until I let him back inside. As soon as he stepped inside, the tail and ears went up, and he stood up firm and confident.
Buddy and I went for the walk. He pooped out on the grass, and I thought he’d want to come right home, but he wanted to go up the hill. He got a quarter of the way up and he stopped. He wanted to head back. We walked down the hill five feet, and he stopped again. He looked back and forth, up and down the hill. He seemed to be trying to decide if he wanted to walk or not. The ‘Not’ eventually won and we headed home.
Bubba was still fine when we got back. He wanted to play a little, first with Bubba then with me. I did some maintenance, cleaned up the kitchen and the deck, put dog blankets and one well-drenched bunny into the laundry. Bubba followed me around….[continued in the 10:30 am]