Page 7 of A Furry Thing Called Love
Millie tries to wiggle out of my grasp, and I almost fall off the chair getting the harness on her.If I wasn’t certain I’d get stuck, I’d consider sitting on the floor to do it, but just because I’m feeling good today, doesn’t mean I’m taking any chances.
“This is why we get ready early,” I say to the puppy.Holding the leash loosely, but looping it around my wrist so she doesn’t run off, I take a moment to catch my breath.
Millie stares up at me, her brown eyes so soulful, and I wonder how Will could leave her.Me?I understand.It makes him an ableist dick, but I understand he’s not the right person for me, and all I come with.But the damn puppy?
I knew the responsibility would fall on me, but fucking hell, how can you look into her cute face and not want to keep her?Even if she makes me crazy, I wouldn’t willingly leave her behind.
Sighing, I readjust the lead in my hand and stand.“Well, let’s go.Come on, Eli.”
Millie does well on the leash until we get outside, and then she tries to tug.Thankfully, I’m firm on my feet, if still a little wobbly, so I’m in better control as I get her into the car.
Eli patiently waits by my side as I buckle Millie’s harness in, though she tries to fight me there, as well.If I could trust her, I’d say screw it, but safety first.
When I open the passenger door, Eli jumps in and settles into the seat fine, so I don’t worry about buckling him in.
As I get behind the wheel of the car, I consider if it’s worth shelling out the money to send Millie to a service dog training facility.Not that I need another service dog—and I don’t know if she’d even qualify since she wasn’t bred for it, and she’s an older puppy now—but at least I know she’d be adequately trained, and it’d be easy to maintain that type of training since I already do so with Eli.
When several minutes pass of me lost in my thoughts and we haven’t moved yet, Eli huffs and I roll my eyes.“Don’t be bossy,” I mutter.
Starting the car, I put the address for the dog trainer I found online into the navigation system, and groan at the forty-five-minute estimated arrival time.I knew it would be a drive, but…not what I want to be doing the first day I feel good.I’d much rather be down at the beach or the pier, or doing anything except being stuck in the car in Southern California traffic.
Eli barks when the GPS makes a noise but we don’t move, and I side-eye the judgmental asshole before putting the car into reverse and backing out of the driveway.
Thankfully,the traffic was light, so we make it just in time for the appointment I scheduled with the dog trainer.Millie whines when I open the back door to grab Eli’s vest but don’t let her out.
“Just a moment,” I reassure her.
Eli hops out of the car and stands patiently as I put the vest on him, not bothering with his lead or harness, since I trust him not to run off while on the job, and I’m still feeling good on my feet.
I do still grab my cane, because even though I feel steady, I’m not trusting enough to believe this is the start of remission—I’ve been tricked by my own body before, and have paid the consequences of doing too much too fast.
I get Millie out of the car and let her stretch her legs for a moment before we walk into the training building.
It’s small, what must have once been a house, but has now been converted into a training center.The woman waiting just inside the front doors is the same as in the photos online.She’s wearing khakis and a light-blue polo shirt, her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, and has an easy smile.
“Hi!I’m Linda, you must be Arlo?”
I give her a small smile back.“Yes, I am.Arlo Wright.I’d shake your hand, but…” I lift both the cane and Millie’s leash.
“No worries.I’m happy to have you here today.”She looks between Millie and Eli.“Though I have to ask… I was told I’d only be working with you and one dog?Not that I mind two, but it’s a little different training and methods than I was set up for today since I thought it was only one.And depending on their varying level of training, it could make the session a tad more complicated…” Her gaze lingers on Eli’s “Service Animal” vest.
“That’s right.Millie here needs some training.Eli is fully trained, and we work regularly on his commands; though eventually they’re going to have to be able to work together, so taking them on walks, or going out and about, is easier on me.But Eli’s a fully trained mobility animal.I have MS,” I explain.“Sometimes my balance is crap, or my muscles are tight or numb, depending on the day.”
Linda nods slowly.“Okay, good to know.Well, how about we go into our training room and see what we can do today?”
“Sounds good.”
Linda leads us from the reception room into a bigger space that is empty save a few obstacles.She has me run through the commands I’ve already been working on with Millie, and helps me with different techniques, while offering a few tips to help keep her focused.
“Do you think it’d be okay if we let Eli out in the yard for a bit?I understand if not, but maybe he’s distracting her?She’s six months old, right?”
I nod.“Correct.She was my ex’s, and I implored that he start her training early but, well…”
“It’s okay.We can work with it, but this can sometimes be a very rebellious stage, so she’s going to be testing her limits, while also learning not only the basic commands, but new ones as well.It’s going to be a bit rocky.I just think limiting her distractions would be a good idea.”
I give Linda a bland smile.“I’ll take that into consideration for the future, but today, I’d rather not risk having Eli too far away.”
“I understand, no problem.”
