Every Step of the Way

The shower felt comforting and warm on my skin, I sighed, another day. As I walked downstairs my legs felt heavy every step seemed an effort.

In the kitchen I was greeted by my two dogs Misty my Cocker Spaniel found a bone her present to me. Bonnie my Retriever just wagged her tail as if to say I’ve missed you. I fed them both, they eagerly ate their food, relishing every mouthful.

I made a cup of coffee and sat down in the Conservatory where they both joined me Bonnie on one chair and Misty on the other. When I had finished I went to the kitchen and started to wash-up. Bonnie bounced in and almost did a headstand as she rolled on the floor. She made me smile she was always happy.

She went to the cupboard where her lead was kept and wagged her tail.

“No I can’t take you” I said. She looked up at me and ran and fetched her favourite toy a tennis ball. She dropped it at my feet and looked up at me with pleading eyes. “I wish I could I said but I can’t”. She seemed to understand as she walked away and lay down with a deep sigh.

I walked upstairs and went to my wardrobe, I stood there for a while just looking. Then I put my shoes on and went downstairs.

Bonnie came to greet me again as if I had been gone for ages. Then she looked me up and down and noticed my shoes. Wagging frantically she went and got her tennis ball. Misty just stayed and slept, not very interested but age had crept up on her and she seemed to be sleeping a lot of the time now.

I went to the cupboard and got Bonnie’s lead and clipped it on her. She looked up at me still holding her tennis ball in her mouth.

I unlocked the back door and went to the gate; she followed me We walked the short distance to the park. My legs felt like lead, but Bonnie trotted by my side so happy we were out together again.

I reached down and removed her lead. I threw her ball and she bounced after it and skidded past it. She was never very good at catching it first time. A man walked past “What a lovely day” he said “Looks like you’re both enjoying yourselves”. I felt the warmth from the sun on my arms and realised I was smiling. By this time Bonnie was doing headstands and rolling on the ball. She made me smile always eager to please and so happy just to be out. It made me realise what I had been missing all this time it must have been six months or so since I had ventured out after being ill for some time.

I clipped the lead on Bonnie, who by now was back by my side after flattening some of the grass she had rolled on.

We got home, I unclipped her lead and sat down for a moment to gather my thoughts. She came and laid her head on my lap and looked up at me with her big watery brown eyes. “We will do this together each day you and me” I said. She wagged her tail as if she knew how hard it had been for me.

But each day did get better and now we go on walks together, but I will not forget that time and thank her for being there for me every step of the way.