-Kelly Dawn Morrison
Adventures in trusting an anxious dog
We’re lucky to have found a dog as great as Winston. For more than a year we sent in application after application without ever hearing anything back from the rescues and animal welfare groups. Then one day we came across an ad – a family had to rehome their puppy after a month because their baby was allergic to him.
We have another Boston who is 8 years old and I always remembered him being easy. While he has taught Winston how to be a polite dog and how to play, one thing we had to learn was how to help Winston through separation anxiety. This live Twitter feed walks the reader through the first day that I put up a gate so Winston couldn’t spend the day with me while I worked from home.
“What needs to happen before people go back to normal life is begin social distance inside of the house. Let’s say, if the dog follows you 100 times, don’t let him follow you 50 times,”
Cesar Millan, June 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmVSLqCh-RI
I wanted to explore a variety of common themes in this exercise. This topic is relatable in 2022 as people struggle with transitioning back to work with a pet who is used to them being around. My concern about my home being destroyed, and fear of the unknown when all I hear is silence, both build up tension and suspense. Seeing what a good boy he is being allows the reader to feel all the emotions with me when I see he is doing some surprise activities when I check on him. It couldn’t be much more authentic because I was really living it! And there is a sense of urgency as I worry about an item he finds and chews.
To help the flow of the story, I followed the structure of a simplified story spine:
Once upon a time… & every day…: I describe how life has gone so far and how we managed Winston’s anxiety and trouble with potty training.
But one day…: It’s time, I tell the readers, to try trusting my dog after all this training.
Because of that…: I set up the room, and prepare the puppy for success.
Because of that…: I describe an almost anti-climactic silence I hear.
Until finally…: I can wait no longer so I start to look in on him. I describe what I see in pictures with very brief commentary.
And ever since then…: I bring the reader to a conclusion about whether this experiment was successful. The story is closed with some surprise added value for the readers.
And now, please enjoy the sweet boy’s first day of freedom!
EXSM 3989 - Digital Storytelling Class Blog 