You read that right. My dog, who does get fed in the bathroom to give her some privacy, is locked in the bathroom. The door is partially open, but she doesn’t seem to be able to get out. To give you a clear picture, when we do feed her in the bathroom, the light is ON, the door is left open to about 3 fingers thick-enough where she can eat alone and not be disturbed by our other dog but not closed enough where she cannot open the door when she is finished. The light is left on because well, who wants to eat in the dark? It’s like her own personal dining room. Smells good in there too because I have a wallflower going in there.

We do this song and dance about 3 times a week. where she cannot get out of the bathroom after her meal. Considering she gets fed 2x a day, she has been eating in seclusion now for about 5 years, you would think that she would somehow adapt and be able to figure out how she can leave her enclosure once she has finished her meal

But alas, she does not. She is in the bathroom. Crying a particular cry that doesn’t come out unless she is stuck in the bathroom. This is a developed sound that is a mixture between an angry gremlin and a child getting their nails ripped out. It is not loud, per say, but it is definitely noticeable. If I could, I would record it and somehow allow anyone to hear this gut wrenching, angry cry of abandonment and banishment.

The bathroom, or some would call the scene of such torture, is right next to my office, on the main floor of our house. The two rooms share a wall. It would take me about 10 seconds to get out of my office chair, walk to the door of the bathroom, and let her out. I could totally do this and, to be honest, it would be the right thing to do. Most of the time, I do just that. I’ll get up, no matter where I am in the house, and let her out. I’m not sure how you can always hear it. Maybe it is mother’s intuition? Other people in my house don’t always hear it, but somehow, I can. I always know when Mabie’s is stuck in the bathroom.

Today though, you may ask, “Why aren’t you letting her out?” Why aren’t you ending her suffering, helping with her mental health, allowing her to feel safe and loved–and cared about.

I’ll tell you why. And when you read this part, I want you will take back the evil thoughts you have in your head about me and my dog. I know for a fact, that those that are reading this may not know me and may think I’m a cruel and heartless and mean. I assure you; I am NONE of those things.

I am not letting her out because…I DID NOT FEED HER. I mean, I did, this morning, but not now. I did NOT shut the door to 3 fingers so she can eat in private, without fear her sister will come and eat her food. SHE let herself into the bathroom and shut the door on herself. SHE did this to herself. Mabel Lee…Mabie Beans…for some reason, she needed an escape and went into the bathroom. Somehow, she shut the door. (I know it is shut because I had gotten up to see what the “sound” was coming from)

She gets herself into it, she can get herself out. I treat all my kids the same. I am encouraging her from my office–“You can do it Mabies! You just need to put your nose into it!”

And yes, just now as typing this, she has let herself out of the bathroom. All is right now, again, with the world.

Just had to share because I don’t want to forget this moment.