Cuddyclothes Proposes, Fletcher Disposes
Over the last two months I've been exercising. I would say "exercising more" except that I wasn't exercising at all. I post when I use my exercise bike on Facebook. I'm trying to take longer walks with Fletcher. It helps tire us both out.
Yesterday I walked Fletcher from my part of Riverside Park up to the tip of it, which houses tennis courts. Pooped, we sat on a bench. I was playing with my new phone, and pulled up YouTube. Out of curiosity, I chose a Wodehouse audiobook read by Martin Jarvis. It was excellent, although Wodehouse definitely works better on the page. I don't have headphones. It amused me to be carrying my phone the way old men used to carry transistor radios.
Fletcher is a, er, difficult dog. He has frequent panic attacks, especially when we go out. Even after 9 years, putting his harness on causes him to shake violently.
I was mystified that he started shaking, hard, as we were on the bench. Thinking he wanted to go home, I started walking, still listening to the audiobook. Fletcher was pulling back and trying to go in the opposite direction. I thought he didn't realize which way was home. (This happens) Then it occurred to me to switch off the audiobook. After a few minutes he went back to normal. We were near the building when I sat down on a bench and turned on the audiobook again. Sure enough he freaked out. Turned it off, he calmed down.
I don't like wearing headphones in NYC, especially in a park. I want to be aware of my surroundings, and it seems too isolating. So Fletcher has won this battle. As he usually does.
Yesterday I walked Fletcher from my part of Riverside Park up to the tip of it, which houses tennis courts. Pooped, we sat on a bench. I was playing with my new phone, and pulled up YouTube. Out of curiosity, I chose a Wodehouse audiobook read by Martin Jarvis. It was excellent, although Wodehouse definitely works better on the page. I don't have headphones. It amused me to be carrying my phone the way old men used to carry transistor radios.
Fletcher is a, er, difficult dog. He has frequent panic attacks, especially when we go out. Even after 9 years, putting his harness on causes him to shake violently.
I was mystified that he started shaking, hard, as we were on the bench. Thinking he wanted to go home, I started walking, still listening to the audiobook. Fletcher was pulling back and trying to go in the opposite direction. I thought he didn't realize which way was home. (This happens) Then it occurred to me to switch off the audiobook. After a few minutes he went back to normal. We were near the building when I sat down on a bench and turned on the audiobook again. Sure enough he freaked out. Turned it off, he calmed down.
I don't like wearing headphones in NYC, especially in a park. I want to be aware of my surroundings, and it seems too isolating. So Fletcher has won this battle. As he usually does.