Life is good

I have been traveling for work again, just returning home last night.  I was away for work, and then later at an annual conference I attend for a health community I am a part of.  The work went well, as did the conference. And as you can see from the pictures, I fit in time for puppies, too :). A girl has to have her priorities.

The puppies are rescues, and as I write this the one closest to me is on her way to her new home, but the curly haired one closest to the camera is still looking for a home. If you are interested, contact me privately and I'll pass on the information of the rescue agency she is at. She is just darling, would do with a quieter home, and some company during the day--people or animal. She is very perceptive, watched me quite a bit for clues, I think she'd do great at training.

Anyways, me being gone means Greg was left by himself with Chopper. Just like last time, Greg made incredible progress with Chopper while I was gone.  I'd be upset by that except I'm just happy Chops is improving.  While  I was gone Chopper was able to progress going down our wooden stairs unassisted. In the beginning he tried  to run down them as fast as possible and with wooden stairs that's pretty dangerous! Now he takes it really slowly and deliberately, which is the behavior we were waiting for before letting him off on his own. 

Another improvement Greg made was figuring out a way to bring Chopper out of his fugue state (aka Chop-town).  He discovered that if he crouched down next to Chopper, reached underneath his chin and rubbed his neck and chin soothingly it would bring Chopper back to the present with a pretty good success rate.  I had been operating under the principle that you never touch him unless he asks, but clearly there is an exception. 

Chopper has also taken to the dog bed in our bedroom. At first he only slept on his blanket, but then one day Kolohe usurped it in the middle of the night and Chopper returned the favor by taking her bed. Greg got photographic proof:

Now Chopper sleeps there almost exclusively.I may leave town more just so I can see the progress when I return :).

Speaking of returning, Chopper was so excited when I came home from the airport I got play bows, dancing, and I even heard a tiny excited whimper!  It's the most animated I've seen him in a long time.  Also his eyes were so clear and present for the longest time. I think between the work I've been doing, Greg's been doing, and the higher dose of his medicine we are starting to see some real change.