Cotton Walked the Whole Loop Himself. The Porch Steps Were Another Story.
After a long walk, some legs are shorter than others. Ruth stands at the bottom of her painted porch steps, holding Cotton snugly against her chest with both arms. The little Bichon looks pleased with the arrangement, mouth open in a happy pant, blue collar slightly askew and curly coat fluffed from the outing. Ruth wears a chambray shirt under her quilted vest and smiles down at him with obvious affection. A garden hose, a pair of muddy boots, potted geraniums, and a canvas tote line the porch behind them.
Carrying a small dog is sweet, but doing it the right way protects both of you. Support the dog's chest with one hand and the hindquarters with the other, so the spine stays level and the legs are not dangling. Avoid lifting by the front legs or under the armpits alone, which can strain joints. For older owners, bending at the knees and holding the dog close to the body makes lifting easier on the back. Small breeds can also hurt themselves jumping off high porches or furniture, so ramps or steps are helpful as dogs age. If your dog seems unusually worn out after normal walks, mention it to your vet.
Cotton certainly could have climbed those steps himself. But why walk when someone who loves you is happy to give you a lift? It seems like Ruth does not mind one bit.
