Stevie is settling

I have changed since my last blog.  Phyllis has the same routine for walking all of us every day.  It does not change and it is for my benefit.  A few days ago I pottied outside and have since done that two or three times.  Phyllis is always very pleased and pats me on the head and rubs my hair until I think I am going to start losing it.  She seems to like whatever it is I do that is different.  I walked onto grass for the first time which made me smell what was in front of my face.  I liked the smell and so now I want to walk slower and smell everything. Now I walk on a retractable leash way behind the other dogs smelling everything I can.  I used to only walk right next to Phyllis, but now I let her get way in front of me.  Because we do the same thing every day I am now accustomed (nice word for a dog right!) to the routine and know that if I feel her tug I stop smelling and walk to her and if she doesn't tug I still know that if I walk forward on my own that she will be at the other end of my leash.  I never pass her.  I always stop right at her side
.  My tail is up most of the time now instead of way down between my legs, but I still don't wag it at all.  I hear her ask me when I will wag my tail but don't do it yet.  I can jump on the couch when I know she is there and encourages me and I don't run away when she comes up to me to put my leash on.
 In the morning when Phyllis drinks her coffee on her rocking settee which she loves, I stand by her and let her pick me up.  I lay on her lap while she rocks us and drinks her coffee.  I like it.  So, that's where  I am.  I don't know how much more I can do but Phyllis knows there is more.  She says its okay to take baby steps.  Oh, and one more thing.  Because I never walk past Phyllis, going in the front door is sometimes hard because she holds the door open and wants me to walk in before her so the door doesn't close on me.  I did walk in today.  One time only.  But I did walk in today.