Tinsel had an oopsy on Saturday. We had gone over for his brush out at the groomers and wanted to stop at the bakery on the way back. Usually I have to crawl across the seat to get him out of the car but this time I decided to try attaching his lead and asking him to "lets go" which is what his cue is for walking out the door. So, he did great getting out at the groomers, walked to the edge of the seat so I could pick him up and put him on the sidewalk. Getting back in the car he decided maybe he could manage it himself and, glory be, he did it. When we got to the bakery I told hubby that I was going to take Tin out of the car and go stand in the shade of a nearby tree. There is a chip wagon there and 2 people were on the bench enjoying a snack. Anyway, I attached the lead to Tin and asked him to "lets go" whereby he walked confidently to the edge of the seat and then decided maybe he could get out by himself. Well, no he couldn't! He stepped down and his right foot collapsed under him throwing him face first into the hard packed gravel parking lot. His lip was bleeding and he was covered in dirt. He made no noise whatsoever. I did! So did the people on the bench whom I'm sure thought I had dragged this poor dog out of the car. We walked over to the shade and I sat on the ground examining my limping, bleeding little boy. He sat there looking so sad with the "bench" lady loving him up and the "bench" man telling me that my poor little dog is limping. As I explained Tinsel's physical issues and what his background was Tinsel spied the hot dog that the man was eating. He got up and walked without a limp to the guy, sat down quick and started waving at him. The man and the woman were gushing on how cute he was and I told the man that Tinsel was asking to share the hot dog. The guy immediately took a hunk of his hot dog and shared with our little mooch. Other people stopped to see the cute grey dog that was sitting waving for the crowd - actually for what he could get - and got a history lesson from the lady on the bench. More loving for Tinsel which he was quite happy to receive. So, what started out as a near disaster turned into a great socializing event for Tinsel. He's okay, by the way, and probably wants to try that corner again!
