Health & Fitness
Emi Comes with An Instruction Manual
Like a parent leaving an infant in my care, these parents provided an instruction manual for all of Emi's quirks, behaviors, food preferences and emergencies!
Sometimes the instructions for a dog sitting engagement are easy - “open the door, let her out, call her, let her in, feed her”. This time, Emi came to me with an instruction manual! She had been having some respiratory issues (as is common with the short nose breeds) and needed some very specific care and attention. Emi, a black and white mix with ears that perk up like a rabbits when a noise is heard, had been hyperventilating and vomiting with unpredictable frequency over the course of two weeks. Was it a system disorder, an allergy, a disease? No one could tell for sure. It was my job to watch her to be sure she stayed on course for good health.
Emi was treated with a special diet that required a microwave, two bowls, some oil, some powder and food to be mixed in specific measured quantities... AND she was not to eat ANY of the stuff on the lawn that she loved - seeds, grass, acorns, poop, etc. AND nothing could be dropped on the floor of the house because she would snatch it up. She couldn't walk too far or exert herself or get excited. If she started making labored noises, I was to hold her up on her hind legs like she was dancing to let her esophagus clear out. Though she loved belly rubs, she was not permitted to lie flat on her back. Oh Boy!
Emi loves attention and affection. She has a catalogue of various grunts, growls and mini barks and uses her paws to direct you when she wants different things. She was able to let me know that she wanted me to stretch out my legs on the couch so she could burrow down between them to nap! She let me know she wanted to go outside by ringing the bell hanging on the doorknob,; If she wanted to sit in the sun she'd just stand on the porch and wait for me to sweep away all the leaves and fallen seeds so she would have her spot. She'd pull me to my car to let me know she wanted to go for a ride. I'd drive her down the driveway, get the mail, and drive back. She was okay with that.
For four days Emi and I bonded. Her whole body shook with excitement and her eyes shined and twinkled when I arrived each morning. That's all I need to fill my heart with joy. Thankfully there were no episodes of sickness while I was with her or thereafter with her parents. She's doing great!
