The dog days of April

I never did update you all on what happened with my neighbor, Mr. S.  During his fall while walking the dog, he unfortunately broke an arm.  He is still in the hospital (a week later) because he seems to be unable to straighten one of his legs without considerable pain.  The doctors have not found anything wrong, but they'll be taking him through a physical therapy regimen. 

So it's just been Mrs. S at home next door.  I checked in with her several times last week, inviting her to dinner or offering to walk Greggie, the dog.  But she is a strong and proud woman, and very loathe to accept help -- she politely refused me at every turn.

But Sunday night, all that changed.  The same neighbor who'd called to tell me about Mr. S's fall phoned to let me know that Mrs. S had just been taken to the hospital.  She'd been pulled off balance by Greggie while taking him for a late night walk, and *she* had fallen.  Of course she didn't want the neighbors to fuss, and insisted that she was fine, but she agreed to be taken to the hospital -- once she knew that Greggie would be returned home safe and soubd.  She's got a fractured wrist and a huge shiner on her right eye, which is practically swollen shut. 

I believe I mentioned that this couple is in their 70s, but I'm not sure that I indicated why they have their daughter's dog.  Their daughter, who must be in her late 30s/early 40s, has multiple sclerosis.  She lives in an assisted living center and one or both parents make the half-hour trip to see her EVERY DAY and spend the majority of the day with her, making sure she eats and is properly cared for. 

Greggie was the daughter's service dog, so Mr. and Mrs. S are very attached to him. I'm not sure if Greggie is retired or if the daughter could no longer make use of him, but he's now living the luxurious life of retirement.  Some of the neighbors feel strongly that Mr. and Mrs. S should give up Greggie after this last incident, but I wouldn't dream of suggesting it -- I am sure getting rid of him would feel to them like losing a family member.

I knew after this particular accident, it was extremely important to help out with Greggie, if for no other reason than to give Mr. and Mrs. S piece of mind.  But this time, instead of asking Mrs. S if it would be OK to walk him, I got smart.  I basically started showing up to walk Greggie at certain times of the day, and enlisted other neighbors to do the same when I must be at work.  Now when I arrive at her door twice a day, Mrs. S just gives me a resigned sigh, and hands over the leash.

I'm really enjoying my nightly walks with Greggie.  He's a large chocolate lab who is strong as an ox, but gentle as a kitten.  Even Mimi, usually fearful of dogs, loves Greggie and will actually come along on our walks.  It's been a great opportunity for me to get outside and add a little movement to my couch-potato ways. 

Some nights we walk down to the lake, or we might cut through the woods and over to the little covered bridge near our home.  Greggie wags his tail at passing joggers and keeps his eye out for squirrels, chipmunks, or cats.  We enjoy a companionable silence as we walk, with just the clickclickclick of his claws on the walking trail echoing through the trees.  He gruffs and whines when I'm walking too fast or slow, and picks up sticks from the trail to carry home as his trophy.  It's twenty minutes of relaxation and pleasure.

And the grateful smile on Mrs. S's face when I bring Greggie back from his walk is kind of a nice benefit, too.  :-)

Edited to add: Dudes, I was totally not trying to fish for compliments... although re-reading this morning makes me realize it may sound that way.  I'm just truly enjoying my time with Greggie (it almost seems like a selfish way to help).  And honestly I'm grateful that I can do a little something for these incredible but unlucky neighbors.

Comments

[Tug]

YOU are a truly awesome person. Truly.

I've got nothing else......

[Pendullum]

I know why I love you... and this is a good example of it...
Good for Greggie, Good for the S's and good for your family...

[Jess]

You're so nice. And Greggie is an awesome name for a dog.

[Chantal]

You rock. I know you're not fishing compliments but you deserve each one. Enjoy your walks! I'm sure Greggie does.

[Redneck Mommy]

I had a dog like Greggie once.

He broke my wrist to. At the tender age of 17.

He was just full of spit and vinegar.

I hope your neighbours recover quickly.

[stefanierj]

Can I totally steal the name Greggie for whenever we get a canine of our own? 'Cause I'm gonna.

Good on you, Nancy. One thing I love about where we live is that we have nabes like you. :)

[judesmommy]

What a golden opportunity for you to get out in the nice weather and get some air. All better for stress relief!

Such a nice thing to do!

[jen]

Agreed, with some folks who are too proud for the help, sometimes you just gotta wise up and "do it" and see if they can stop ya. I would say 98% would just let you do what you do, and I'm sure she's grateful to have you around.

[Audrey]

Oh no you did NOT just post about your love for another dog on Ben's birthday.

(Actually, no you didn't. I just checked and it says you posted this yesterday, so it's all good.)

Lucky Mr. and Mrs. S for having a neighbor like you. And lucky you and Greggie for getting that quality time together.

[Becki]

I'm so glad Mr. and Mrs. S. have you for a neighbor. I wish I did too.

My aunt and uncle were in a similar situation. Their dog died, and their son bought them a new puppy. Then their son died. The new dog was terribly rambunctious and too much for them to handle, but they wouldn't get rid of it, as it was their last gift from their son.

[Sueb0b]

My dog stays with my parents during the day. My 88 year old, blind, skinny dad INSISTS on walking her. She pulls like a mutha. She is strong and willful, and it scares the pants offa me to think of them out together. But so far it has been over a year and a half with no major incidents...thankfully.

[Kristi]

Well, you deserve compliments, so there!

[Lawyer Mama]

I so wish I had you for a neighbor. What a sweetie you are.

[Mary Tsao]

Hi, Nancy -- Just wanted you to know that I awarded you a Perfect Post Award for this post. It just really spoke to me because I know how hard it is to do nice things for people. What you're doing is just wonderful.

[Pamela]

here for perfect post awards.

It is so easy to let someone else do it. You stepped up - maybe I can do so too.