It's no treat to walk with Bella

Kathleen Anderson

Well folks, I have some discouraging news. I am sorry to report that Bella Rose, previously described in this column as the “Smartest Dog in the World,” has been demoted.

She will, in the future, be referred to as the Smartest Dog in My World. I may have mentioned before Bella will not walk on a leash. Walk in this case is a subjective verb, because Bella will not move if I put her leash on.

She simply plants herself down, and no amount of begging, pleading or treats can convince her to move. I have tried pretzel sticks coated with peanut butter, real steak bites and doggie jerky, all items she normally loves, but she won’t come after these items if she has a leash on.

I have used my most-loving voice, my come-to-dinner voice, and my mother voice.

Nothing.

Last week she had an appointment with the vet, which I had been dreading, because she is now up to 33 pounds and lifting her is not very easy for me. Even though I had hidden the leash beforehand, I couldn’t even get her to come out of her crate (her safe place), which she usually exits in a hot minute if a treat is produced.

I swear she can read minds.

Fortunately, one of my daughters had the day off, so she lugged her to the car and got her inside. Once in, she lays on the car seat quietly until we reach our destination, where upon she refuses to exit the car.

I know she will refuse to exit the car so I put a sheet on the seat before we put her in and we pull her out on the sheet.

My daughter then lugged her into the vet’s office and after the necessary paperwork was completed, the vet tech lugged her into the exam room. I was asked not to go with her and told the vet would be out to talk to me after her exam.

When the exam room door opened, miracle of miracles, not only did Bella come out walking on the leash, but tried to go back inside. The vet tech explained they have good treats.

I was over the moon, thinking my worries were over. The vet came out and pronounced her healthy and fit, but a little anxious. He said I also looked a little anxious and wondered if that was why Bella was.

I explained the problem I was having with her and the leash and he said maybe I should practice walking her in the yard.…then he suggested I walk her in town so she could socialize within the real world.

Because we have about an acre of fenced backyard, which is her domain, she does not even venture out if a front door is left open, so I wasn’t too sure about downtown. But she had walked out of the exam room on her leash so, I was cautiously hopeful at this point and agreed to try.

This visit was for a pre-op exam as it is time for Bella to be spayed, and if I can’t get her to walk on a lease beforehand I have no idea how we will manage, once she must wear the cone of shame.

Ever hopeful, when it was time to go, I stood up and said, “Come Bella”.

Nothing.

My daughter lugged her into the car and when we reached home, we repeated the sheet pull-and-carry routine until she was safely in the house.

I was walking behind them when our little red hen appeared in front of me, squatted down, fluffed her wings and refused to move until I petted her.

Clearly, I am not the one in charge of my animal kingdom…If anyone out there in reader land has any suggestions, I would be most grateful. 

And if anyone needs financial help to get their pet neutered or spayed you can contact Joint Animal Services online or by phone on 360-352-2510.  

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at  kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.