Samwise and the Porcupine

I've feared this moment

Emily has reached the point in her knee rehab, where she takes three fifteen-minute leashed walks a day. This started on Thursday. We walked to the Thompson House Eatery and back. The first stroll came with apprehension and caution—by both of us. (Samwise stayed at home.)

Her hips swayed more than usual, a muscular imbalance that’s to be expected. She walked gingerly but without a limp, like Dorothy's rusty Tin Man getting used to using his limbs again. When she tried to move too quickly, she raised her leg and scooted on the other three. She does this at home in our hobbit hole when excited. My job is to have her slow down and place weight on her foot.

Walk by walk, day by day, she gains confidence, and her gait becomes smoother. It will take time, though, but I already knew this.

Of course, it's unusual for her to walk on a leash, not to mention on pavement. I have no doubt she finds these short forays tedious, for how do you walk when you want to fly? But it's progress, and this ex…