Regaining Confidence.
Although I am doing so much better due to the excellent care of my staff (my two daddies and my magical Veterinarian, Dr. Teer); There were still some problems with the stairs. In Florida there was no second floor. I became accustomed to stairs on my first summer holiday in Maine. As I got older and my hips got a little stiffer, the stairs become more of a challenge. After I slipped a few times and fell once, my confidence was down and even though Thom or David were always there to steady me, encourage me, and catch me if I slipped there was still a wall of fear between me and those stairs. The bare wood is smooth, my foot pads are smooth, the stairs are steep and narrow. When the weight of my back half comes down, the speed and gravity make my pads slide on the smooth wood - thus the problem.
Daddy David carpeted the stairs for me. Wow! Now I have traction and no fear of the stairs. Although I am still not allowed to conquer them unattended; sometimes I just get too excited and fly up or down before the staff is aware. Freedom, independence, and confidence are mine again.
Oh, I am a happy, loved and pampered Dalmatian - as I should be.