18/10/2024
I had so many plans this morning with my day off, but I slept in and that kind of threw me.
My girl, Lexi was on the bed in the other room and when I went to see her she wasn't really her usual self.
I asked her 'massage' and the tail thumped off the bed and she moved forward a little..... My plans had obviously changed, Lexi wanted a massage and that comes before cleaning up, admin etc; or at least, it should.
Now Lexi isn't really up for me randomly touching and petting her, especially if she sits beside me, so 'massage' is specifically used for those times she does want specific myotherapy treatment.
These techniques are usually performed in a specific way, but Lexi doesn't like long movements. Even though she's a big dog, my hand movements are usually just performed by my fingers and so veeeerrrryyyy slowly; technically 'not right' but right for Lexi.
My body should be placed in a specific way, definitely not leaning over the dog, again with Lexi, it's her way, I lie down with her and we almost fall asleep as I slowly work with her body performing THE MOST tiny movements. A positive reaction from Lexi is a long stretch out, negative reactions include moving the body away; today it was her leg; and opening her eyes and looking at me, like 'really'!!
My aim is for her to be comfortable, for her to get the area she needs freeing up and to ensure I stop 'just in time ' which is before she's had enough and moves away.
All this may not be technically right but it's right for Lexi. With touch, one of the senses, one that can such elicit strong reactions (from ourselves too), it really has to be right for the other party.
