As I write I am listening to Adele, the amazing song of the above name, and as I contemplate my muddy jeans and listen to the washing machine (well I would hear it if the music wasn't on so loud) working on all the muddy dog towels, it seems to be particularly apt.
So we have bitten the bullet and furnished Murphy with a muzzle. I have been walking him on the lead for the last few weeks (he does get off at certain times and places but there's always a residual worry) so it's good that he can go for a run if he wants. I've accustomed him to it by always giving him a biscuit when he puts it on and he gets quite a few on the course of a muzzle-walk. So although he tries to get it off out of irritation he is happy to put it on and doesn't seem distressed by it. Although yesterday he got the tennis ball I was throwing and was very put out to discover he couldn't chew it up (once he gets a tennis ball you can say goodbye to it unless it's at the beach) - he literally eats them! I felt quite guilty as he rarely gets the thrown balls, Maddie is much faster and he usually doesn't even try any more.
I thought people would be scared when they saw him with a muzzle on - I know I assume a dog is dangerous if it's wearing one - but so far I think it depends on the attitude of the owner. The first time he wore it I ignored and avoided other dogs/owners which probably looks worse.. now I behave as if everything's fine and although people do ask why he's wearing it (particularly if they know him, and most know him as a friendly dog) there haven't been any negativity. It probably helps that he hasn't tried to sit on any dogs while wearing it!
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