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A grandma in a green cardigan carries a scruffy Jack Russell Terrier in her arms up the concrete steps to a blue house. 11 / 28

The Walk Was Long, the Steps Were Steep, and Pip Knew Exactly How to Get Home

AI imagejack russell terrierafter the walkporch steps

Halfway up the concrete steps of the blue clapboard house, Odessa pauses to catch her breath and smile down at the bundle in her arms. Pip hangs comfortably against her chest, back legs dangling, front paws tucked over her forearm, looking every bit the satisfied passenger. His scruffy coat is a little windblown from the walk, and his eyes have that pleasantly tired look of a dog who sniffed absolutely everything. A potted aloe sits by the door, a doormat waits at the top, and the garden behind them is lush under an overcast sky.

When you do pick up a small dog, how you hold them matters. Support the chest with one hand and the hindquarters with the other arm, so the spine stays level and the dog feels secure. Avoid lifting by the front legs or under the armpits alone, which can strain joints. Lift with your legs rather than your back, and if stairs are a struggle for you, a short ramp or a few steady steps with the dog on a leash may be the safer choice. Long walks are wonderful for energetic breeds like Jack Russells, but watch for signs your dog is tiring, especially in heat, and build up distance gradually.

Pip may well have been able to climb those steps on his own. He just knows that a ride from Odessa is the best part of coming home, and she knows it too. A bowl of water and a nap are surely next on his schedule.

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