🐾 The Stairwell Incident (Featuring Nicky, Chaos, and Concrete)

Yesterday, Nicky and I had one of those moments—chaotic, painful, and somehow still full of love.

She tried. She really did. We were on our way out to potty and she pooped on the stairwell landing. Not ideal, but hey—she was doing her best. I could never be upset, she still has a little puppy bladder. I stopped to clean it up, bag in hand, and that’s when it happened.

In her excitement to go outside, she leapt from the landing to the bottom of the stairs—only problem was, my ankle was tangled in her retractable leash. I went flying backward. Ass first. Then back. Then shoulder. Then head. Smacked right onto the concrete. It was as brutal as it sounds. It took me a minute to get up, everything was spinning. Luckily though (Nicky was of course still on the leash)… she came running back instantly. That tells me two things. A) Mom getting up was more important then potty or play. B) She loves me and is starting to become protective. C) Hopefully if i ever get hurt again… i can count on her not to leave my side.

By some miracle, David had just arrived. He was meeting us, and thank God he was—he grabbed her leash, made sure she was safe, and helped me limp my bruised ego (and body) to CVS. I’m banged up, but I’m okay. It’ll take a few days, but I’ll heal.

And honestly? Something amazing came out of it.

David helped adjust her prong collar properly—my hands aren’t strong enough to do it alone—and the difference in her walking was night and day. He also did some beautiful work with her on the leash. Calm, patient, strong.

She was incredible afterward. Focused. Responsive. Walking like a totally different dog.

Sometimes it takes a fall to notice how far you’ve come. And sometimes the people who show up in the aftermath end up being the very hands that steady you.

So yeah—I got taken out by a 50-lb gremlin with a spring-loaded butt. But we learned. We adjusted. We got better.

And next time we go down the stairs… I’m holding that leash like it’s live wire.

With Love,

Dana & Nicky.