i got a lot to say about chiara and maybe it's more about me too but it's about everybody really. i realized this morning after cogitating late on chiara that my bugbear about treats goes back to the way i was treated in childhood; benignly, with  a cupboard full of sweet treats and rotten teeth. cavity caveat!  chiara, like a kid, like me, can be a sweet monster and still not satisfied and refusing to walk, even with treats. the treats become a balm that doesn't calm, an incentive that doesn't work, a reward for bad behavior. i was embarrassed to admit my struggles with chiara. i was humiliated by her refusal even with my sorry treats. and i knew that this sweet girl wants control, even to the sacrifice of the joy of walking with me!
chiara, get ready, i'm on my way...will you walk with me today?