Saturday is a good day to take a long walk with my dogs. I have a yellow Lab, Champ, who is two years old, and a 5 year old Norwegian Elkhound named Bomsa. My wife calls them "The Boys", but technically that's a misnomer.

It's reassuring to go through our little rituals. I put on my hat, coat and sunglasses in preparation for the walk. Champ is aware of any subtle hint that a walk is about to take place. One sure indication is when any family member actually says the work "walk". If you say it, you better be ready to go, and soon.

Whatever sign Champ picks up, hat, sunglasses, saying the work "walk" the frantic process begins, He runs around the house, jumping over furniture and bumping into anyone in his way. Bomsa will start to bark. His barking gets louder and more frequent until the back door is opened and we are on our way.

We all stop at the road just east of our house. Well, sometimes Champ darts across the road and has to be called back. Most of the time I can tell when he is over anxious and I tell him to wait. When we are all at the side of the road the word that means go is "Everybody". Kay taught them that.

The next major decision comes at the upper bridge. On days when I'm pressed for time we cross the bridge and turn back for home. Both boys wait at the bridge to see which direction we will go.

At the top of the hill there is a rock that I like to stand on. It gives me a good view of the valley and I've also seen some wildlife from that vantage point. When we get close to the area of the rock, Champ and Bomsa take off. They want to be standing on the rock when I get to it. I rub their ears and tell them how good they are. It's a little thing between the three of us.

On the way back down both of them stop at the bridge again. If we have a few extra minutes we will cross the bridge and take a longer way home. Most of the time we just go straight down the hill.

At the road the boys are a bit calmer. It's toward the end of the walk and they have spent a lot of energy. We all wait and then I give the "Everybody" signal and we cross the street. Only this time Champ trots across and Bomsa take a leisurely stroll. His little protest that the walk is coming to an end.

Then it's just a short walk back to our gate. We run up the stairs and I call out to let Kay know that we are home. Another successful outing with the boys is concluded.

That's all for now......
6:58:17 PM    comment []