Walkies
No ... not me, the dog.
Or rather, not only me. Pebbles, our giant black lab (aka Tiny, because she thinks she's the size of a wee lap dog) and I went out for walkies today. I needed some air. She needed attention. We both needed some movement. There was actually a bit o' sun too. All good.
Long time ago, Before Children (circa 1985 BC), P and I used to take our Dobermans out walking every night, usually at Lincoln Park, but often around the blocks of our house. Then After Children (circa 1990 AC) we stopped, because well ... no one had any energy. While I was training for the 3-Day last year, I often wished I had a pooch to keep me company, because an iPod is all very well and good but it's more fun to talk to your dog. So, in that light, I decided that it's time to teach my old dogs some new tricks ... and we should all go for walkies when we can. Even if it's just around a couple of blocks.
This set of dogs are rescues, and I've never done any recreational walking with them before (trips to the vet don't count). So it was an adventure. Pebs and I practiced walking on the right side of the owner, watching the owner for signals before leaping into the street, sitting upon request, and how not to pull the owner like a Roman chariot. Man, she's one strong girl. We had a good time, though and many tiny tasty treats were given as reward.
When we came back, Payden was giving me the "But ... but ... why didn't you take meeeee?" sad puppy look. So maybe tomorrow I'll take him instead.
I'm hoping I'll get in the habit again. Heaven knows, we all of us need this particular habit.
Or rather, not only me. Pebbles, our giant black lab (aka Tiny, because she thinks she's the size of a wee lap dog) and I went out for walkies today. I needed some air. She needed attention. We both needed some movement. There was actually a bit o' sun too. All good.
Long time ago, Before Children (circa 1985 BC), P and I used to take our Dobermans out walking every night, usually at Lincoln Park, but often around the blocks of our house. Then After Children (circa 1990 AC) we stopped, because well ... no one had any energy. While I was training for the 3-Day last year, I often wished I had a pooch to keep me company, because an iPod is all very well and good but it's more fun to talk to your dog. So, in that light, I decided that it's time to teach my old dogs some new tricks ... and we should all go for walkies when we can. Even if it's just around a couple of blocks.
This set of dogs are rescues, and I've never done any recreational walking with them before (trips to the vet don't count). So it was an adventure. Pebs and I practiced walking on the right side of the owner, watching the owner for signals before leaping into the street, sitting upon request, and how not to pull the owner like a Roman chariot. Man, she's one strong girl. We had a good time, though and many tiny tasty treats were given as reward.
When we came back, Payden was giving me the "But ... but ... why didn't you take meeeee?" sad puppy look. So maybe tomorrow I'll take him instead.
I'm hoping I'll get in the habit again. Heaven knows, we all of us need this particular habit.