The shops themselves

We step out the car and open your door and help you out, not letting go of your hand until your leash is on. I reach back in and hand you your shopping toy, a small flat Koala that you hold in your hands in case you need to fidget

We walk in and I start with the produce section. I point to the avocados and we each grab a couple we think are nice. I notice you grab a couple that are ready to eat now, so I make sure the ones I get will last longer. We get some fruit you choose and I get strawberries and blueberries. I ask what you'd like in the next stir fry and show the Asian greens to you. You pick out the ones you want and I grab some other veggies

"Blueberries are good for you, they're pretty much good for anyone. There's very little sugar in them but they've got antioxidants and other important nutrients, they're like tasty vitamins" I explain as we walk about. I get onions and let you pick a bulb of garlic.

We head to the meat section and I point to the pieces of salmon and barramundi I want. The woman behind the counter sees your teddy and asks me "Would she like a tasty stick to eat while you guys go around"

"That would be lovely" I say with a big smile. She goes to hand it to you and I take it and give it to you myself, thanking her for you.

We go into the other parts and find some seaweed for the sushi, and short grain rice.

"Okay, we have everything we need, are you okay to look around a bit more?"

You nod and we look about some more. I take you to the bodywash section and let you sniff which one you'd like. You choose a nice floral one with daisies on the front. "Pretty, I love daisies" I say and you put it in the trolley and fall in line next to me, a little closer than before. We get some more cleaning products and I get some icecream. I take you to the lolly aisle.

"You are doing very well. You can have 2 things, one small thing for now, and one big for later" I say, and let your leash out a little. You nod and walk up and down, settling on a strawberry lollipop for now and a bag of skittles for later.

I feel you running out of steam so we go the the checkout. You rest your head on my chest a little as the woman behind the checkout puts us through, and I put your lollipop in your waiting mouth as soon as I scan it and get it out. I pull you onto my hip and hold you there by your butt with one hand, and push the trolley with my other. I place you in your seat and unhook your leash and load the stuff into the car. You curl up on the back seat while you wait, and I toss my jacket over you before I drive off, watching you snuggle underneath it in the rear view mirror