You know those days when you wish the whole world would go away and leave you alone with your dog? Well, I was having one of those days when I took Chance for a walk. I was in no mood to "train," I just wanted to walk out my frustrations of the day. Our walks are usually pretty quiet, but tonight we started out an hour earlier than normal as daylight is getting shorter now. So I was completely caught off guard when the rest of the neighborhood was out and about disrupting my entire vision of running away from the world with Chance by my side.
Here's was our "adventure.":
A turkey on the edge of the woods that drove Chance crazy and we weren't even to the corner of the road. As the turkey flew off, he had to sit for some time trying to settle down from the thoughts of a giant drumstick dinner. While I was patiently waiting, two small girls on bikes with their mom went by, which Chance surprising paid no attention to, probably because he had his eyes on the two tiny dogs walking toward him with their owner. He couldn't tear his eyes away no matter what I did. My choices: It was the little dogs or the fresh turkey smells. So in order to salvage what little control I had, I turned him into the woods, where he focused back on the turkey's lingering scent. We sat in the woods for what seemed an endless amount of time, before I could get him to walk without dragging me through the woods. Ah, but dear friends our adventures weren't over yet. Out of the woods and back down the road, right where the turkey took flight, Chance got pretty crazy in that spot, and so back and forth we walk past the spot, then we headed in the opposite direction. Only to come across the two little girls and their mom on bikes...which actually turned out to be the highlight of the whole crazy night. Chance was relaxed and walked right by them, I gave him some treats to emphasize how great he was doing and he passed without looking like a crazy lunatic dog as their wheels spun by. On top of that, we had missed the tiny dogs coming back. Wow! Now we are getting somewhere! So I decided to take him through his favorite field to end the night before going home. Ah, but our walk wasn't quite over yet, a loose six month old puppy with his owner and no recall. Really? At that point I gave up, turned around and headed back down the road, where we experience the turkey essence once again and finally turned the corner down our road to go home.
I sat with Chance who hung his head in my lap. I don't think that was the walk he was looking for either. After a long pause and signs of twilight began to cascade the sky, I laced up Blaze and we jogged up and down the streets without a soul in sight. FINALLY, the world melted away and I had a walk alone with the dogs!
The Paws
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Current blog look inspired by and dedicated to Chance, Blaze, Fiona and Zappa who all kicked ass against cancer and liver disease.
9 comments:
We hate those times when we just want to be in our own nature bubble but the rest of the world INSISTS on bursting in!
Hope you had a moment to just hold Chance's face and look into each other's souls...letting everything else fade to background.
Oh i soo get what you mean. Those times i wished we're staying in the countryside instead of a city and in a condo..We had to pass by couple of smaller breed doggies who would bark their heads off each time they see us (maxx and me) pass by! And you get people gesturing you to keep your dog away..:( or sometimes look at me like i'm holding a tiger at the end of the leash..!
Glad you managed to get a nice walk alone in the end!! :))
Cheers,
Maxx and mommy
So sweet! What a fun family.
You have a fabulous blog! I’m an author and illustrator and I made some awards to give to fellow bloggers whose sites I enjoy. I want to award you with the Creative Blog Award for all the hard work you do!
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~Deirdra
I love your descriptions of what it is like to walk with your dogs. It's always an adventure isn't it, especially with a dog who is a little unsure or a little over-stimulated by the world.
Heh, I remember the first walk I went on with Shiva in which I actually started noticing the world around me. For the first six months, I don't think I took my eyes off her the entire time. Once I was able to admire other houses and pretty trees, our walks became a lot more relaxing.
I feel your pain. You are definitely not alone! If I laugh, it is with appreciative sympathy.
Hi Y'all,
Isn't it always the way...whether it's a walk with the Humans, or just alone time to doze while they work on something...it seems someone rings the phone, knocks on the door or there is some other interruption.
Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
The dogs and I go walking after the sun has set and everyone disappears into their houses. Best time to walk and have the world to yourself.
I hope you're next walk is a little more peaceful!
Parental Unit did that today-took me for a long hike in our favorite park-beautiful and relaxing for both of us...
I can so sympathise. Many times I've played round and round the mulberry bush trying to avoid people and their dogs with Frankie, and people on bikes, and joggers. He's very difficult to train as he likes most dogs but not all, and only chases random joggers and people on bikes.
But you and Chance have come a long way. Even though you're not quite home yet the journey is getting shorter!
Sometimes it helps to try and 'Live in the Moment or bring your focus inwards'... if you can do that, then the world and its tension becomes sidelined.
I know its not easy...
Thank you for sharing your personal space - it will serve to help others, who also battle with anxiety...
Sending lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA
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