Transformed by a Dog

My family went on the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Walk yesterday in support of my friend's daughter who has juvenile diabetes.  It was a wonderful day in Winnipeg - warm, sunny and breezy to keep the bugs away.  I was emailing and calling around before the walk to see if I could borrow someone's Chariot (a stroller that fits two kids and can be attached to a bike).  Luckily I was able to borrow one.  I knew Easton would need a stroller and I KNEW that 10 minutes into the walk Cassia would all the sudden declare that she was too tired to walk and absolutely could not take another step (and drop to the ground with a lot of sighs and drama).  So, a double stroller seemed like a good solution. 

Now, backtracking a bit, Cassia has always loved animals - especially dogs.  Before she could speak, she would squeal with delight whenever there was a dog that caught her eye.  Some people thought that she was crying in fear, but then saw the look on her face and realized that it was just an overly excited laugh/squeal.  It has been her mission in the last year to hold a dog's leash.  Anytime she can touch one, she does.  A stranger's dog?  Doesn't matter - the sole objective is to touch the leash. 

So imagine her delight when another friend of mine shows up to the walk with their family's dog.  Cassia did not leave that dog's side until they had to go home.  I mean, she got to co-hold the leash - a whole year's worth of excitment in 1.5 hours.  She walked 5K without a single peep.  Never a complaint, never a whine, never a break.  She kept the pace and chatted with my friend the entire way.  I had to coax her to drink a juice box and walk along side her with some raspberries so that she would eat something and not fall over from the exhaustion she usually claims.  I. Could. Not. Believe it. 

This dog transformed my spirited daughter.  People were saying she was so responsible, that she was such a trooper and that they couldn't believe she was keeping up.  I was so shocked, impressed and proud of her. 

It has actually had me thinking that we should get a dog!  I love dogs, but I also have two young kids and we travel to Indiana a few times a year.  Not a great time to get one - as I have said every other day to Cassia in the last year.  But she now has me seriously considering it.  That is the positive outcome for her.

The negative outcome for her is that I now know that she can walk 5K without whining, complaining or falling down in exhaustion.  So the three blocks to the grocery store or to the park should be cake.  I'm on to you, kid.