It is not just me who is trying to expand the boundaries but the dog too. He has his own fear and own agoraphobia to an extent so widening that bubble would be great for both of us. One of the main reasons for getting a dog was the walks which looked great in our minds. They were woodlands, open fields, streams, waterfalls and beautiful scenery with the dog running about almost smiling. The reality is me dragging him around the block before or after going on a long walk alone
The exception is when my wife comes. It's still not as we liked but to be fair to the dog when we first created those scenes in our collective heads I was in a better place too. Having an extra adult seems to calm him. We can go further and recently we have tried pushing out further. Tonight we headed for an open boggy field which used to house a retreat house before it was burned down a couple of decades ago. It's quiet mostly and empty enough to see other people and dogs coming. That said a dual carriageway runs beside it and a river at the other side while from time to time maniacs on dirt bikes noisily churn the ground up. So we don't let him off the lead but it is dome kind of freedom which will lead to more.
Who cracked first? It was me. I was really feeling the anxiety growing unfortunately and I called it a day. That call was helped by the onset of twilight meaning we did not have long there anyway unless we wanted to find our way out the bog in the black. It's a benefit to both of us. I hope in time I can take him alone and we are both less anxious. This is the start of that. Twilight is my favourite time to walk when it's peaceful. This was good. Despite the anxiety it felt good.
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