Having overcome the difficulty of getting Nanette through the electronic gates, I was determined to build on that success and her increasing confidence. To this end, I set out the following day to repeat the trip into town.
All went splendidly until we came to the more narrow part of the road. I saw him up ahead....the drunk that is.......I knew him as a regular in the town and always made a point of greeting him. This poor man evidently lived in a squat and depended completely on alcohol to get through a day. On this particular day, he was already drunk at 11am.....it was clear to see from where I was positioned but I had no reason to suspect what was about to happen...!!
The usual heavy traffic was passing and he was perched on the window ledge of an old house overhanging the street, bottle in hand..... As I tightened my hold on the lead and went to pass him, he suddenly....without warning....lunged out at Nanette. She veered straight off the pavement, I lost control and got dragged into the road falling on my back. Somehow I still had hold of the lead!! Then someone helped me up and I went straight away to Nanette to reassure her.
Having regained my equilibrium and control of Nanette, I shouted at the drunk......I don't like losing my temper, in fact I don't like aggression at all and don't see any useful purpose in it but I was out of control!! His reaction saddened me. Clearly he had intended to caress the dog!! I went on into town to regain some composure and made the decision to talk to him calmly about it another day. That day never arrived. He was murdered at the squat two days later!! The whole town mourned and I had a heavy heart to think that I had not had the chance to make it 'right' with him.
In the house, encouraging things were happening!! Earlier on in our life together, I had created a 'bolt hole' for Nanette in my study. This was a second bed which she could occupy if she needed to be alone. At first I placed a barrier between the passageway to the study and the lounge where her other 'normal' bed was placed. In other words, I controlled this activity because I felt uncomfortable with the amount of time she spent alone!!
One evening, while I was working at the piano, she pulled the barrier open with a paw!!! I applauded this innovative behaviour and promptly removed the barrier for good. I realised that my intention to prevent her solitude was a 'projection' on my part. You may remember we spoke about the dangers inherent in adopting a traumatised animal. Vigilance of one's true motives must be a part of every day!!
As far as eating was concerned, we had made very little progress. Meals were mostly taken just outside the bed. Attempts on my part to move the plate further away....aiming finally for the kitchen!....were largely unsuccessful. Let me reassure you by saying that today....3 years later precisely, Nanette eats off a large plate in the kitchen, furthermore I can step over her when she is eating!!! Very Brave Dog!! xx