Out and about with Bailey

The first two pictures of Bailey were taken at our place in Virginia the day before we left. I didn't get them in a blog post before left and I wanted to include them because they are great pictures of her and they really illustrate the dramatic change that she's going through. Do I feel guilty about what we're putting her through? Sometimes, yes, somewhat, yes. But overall, no. She's still our dog and she's still with us. We are still committed to giving her a full life. But it will be a different life than we had in Virginia, for sure. 

All the city sights and sounds and activity can be overwhelming so we are working on acclimating her to it. We're trying to walk the fine line between going too slow and pushing her too far, too fast beyond her comfort zone. Yesterday we took her out for a beer, setting her up at a spot under our table where she could just watch everyone around us. This morning we just went out and sat in a shady spot in the street that runs past our place. This afternoon we went on a long walk that included a stop in a dog park. I didn't turn her loose in there but other dogs came up to her and they exchanged sniffs. She approached one of the other people there also. It all went very well. 

She met some other dogs and their owner on our early morning walk yesterday too. We've encountered a lot of dogs, both on and off leash on our walks with no problems. It's really unfamiliar sounds of the city, e.g., cars, bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and even the sound of wheeled luggage rolling over cobble stone streets, that seem to spook her more than anything else. 

I know that she's happy being with us but I think she'll be happier when she's more relaxed and confident in her new environment too. We will get there.