Boundaries

Ya know what I find silly? People trying to set boundaries with me. Lately, my old legs are struggling a big to get up and down stairs. So, my mom keeps putting things in front of the stairs so I don't follow her constantly up and down. She says silly things like, "Dunk, I'll literally be right back, don't follow me up the stairs you'll have a hard time getting back down." You know what I have to say to that? Pish. Posh. I can do what I want! I'm 17! So, sometimes I work my way around the barriers and go up the stairs only to find mom's already back downstairs because... well... um... she just needed one thing then came right back down. So, now I'm stuck at the top of the stairs. What do I do? Bark as loudly as possible to remind mom that "HEY HELLO I WANT TO BE WITH YOU CONSTANTLY!!!!!!"

Oddly enough, she seems to be getting quite annoyed with this situation. She keeps saying something about how I need "survival instincts" and I need to "know my limits" and "accept the boundaries of my age." Psh. Boundaries. What does she know? She constantly takes pictures of me like a stalker.... so who needs the boundaries talk???? Me or mom?

Sigh. Now that I think about it, a nap does sound a lot better than trying to get up and down the stairs ten times a day. Barking does take a lot out of me. Right when there's a moment of peace I'm known for barking as though sometime is trying to steal me. News flash. No one is trying to steal me. I just want to be with everyone/ want people to be where I want to be/want people to specifically be in one spot in the house I think is the comfiest.

I guess when I really stop to think about it, there may be something to this boundary situation. When I get stuck on the stairs my mom has to lift me the rest of the way, which probably isn't great for her body to be carrying my 65 pounds of awesomeness. Let's just say mom 's not as young as she used to be either (don't tell her I said that)! Hmmm. I want to be like Velcro and be everywhere my humans are... but sometimes when I do that it's hard on my body and my people's.

So maybe just maybe the boundaries mom's putting in place are to protect both me and her. It doesn't mean I have to like it. It doesn't mean I won't bark in protest, but sometimes we have to protect ourselves from hurt and pain. Sometimes that looks like someone else setting a boundary and sometimes that looks like setting a boundary for yourself. Boundaries can be set in a kind, compassionate way. Boundaries can be loving. When I look at things objectively, I know my family loves me and that's why they want me to stay on one level and not hurt my hips.

Does that mean I'm not going to bark like I'm being stolen....... probably not. No one said boundaries are easy. :)