It’s comforting to have this guy, with his floppy ears, stretched out next to me as I sit here writing about my MS.
I don’t know why but the fact that Joey, who is really my wife Laura’s cocker spaniel, has chosen to nap next to me is special. I’m not usually a softy for this kind of thing and Joey can be a real pain in the neck when his internal alarm clock goes off each morning, much too early for me. But right now, his presence is appreciated. Joey Cocker is my cold-nosed stress reducer.
Because I’m stuck inside due to COVID-19, Joey is my reason to go out four times a day. I can’t walk more than about 75 yards, but I don’t need to. Joey has trotted alongside my scooter for most of his 13-year life. He likes people a lot more than he likes most dogs, and he wants to socialize with them (the people, not their dogs). So, I have a leash that’s longer than 6 feet so that he could still be socially active while I keep my distance. But Laura has warned that the coronavirus has been found in two cats and she’s told me to limit Joey’s socializing, too.
My MS can make it a little challenging to walk Joey. This is especially true when it’s raining and windy, as it often is along Maryland’s coast where we’ve lived for many years. Getting off the scooter, or even leaning sideways from it, can be difficult with my cane and his leash in one hand, and the poop bag in the other. If there’s a dog nearby that Joey doesn’t like, I get extra points for keeping them from tangling. But overall, it’s a good experience for both of us. (And here at our winter location in Florida, the walk is a LOT easier than up north).
I really want to get back to exercising in the gym a few times a week. I want to swim and walk in the pool. They help my MS but it’s obvious that I won’t be able to do that anytime soon. (Don’t get me started on the state governors here in the U.S. who have begun to lift restrictions much too soon, in my opinion.) So, Joey will be my stress reliever for some time to come.
He’s also something else. Remember Joey’s internal alarm clock that I mentioned earlier? On some days, it’s the only thing that keeps me from sleeping until noon. What a waste of a day that would be, even with the limits that this pandemic has placed on all of us. So, I’ll let this sleeping dog lie. He can do more for me while he’s asleep than I can do for him when I’m awake.
(A version of this post was first published as my column on the MS News Today website).
