Morning dog walks are no longer done in the dark. There is now enough nautical twilight to light the trails without the need of flashlights. The temperatures have climbed and I don’t need a sweatshirt. Spring has arrived.
Better light and temps allow us to use some paths not used in months. Harper seems pleased by this expansion of possibilities. She’s grown older; she’s not charging out the door as if late for a party. Our walks go just a tad slower but no less appreciated. Harper seems more interested inspecting interesting sniffs than getting somewhere.
A Spo-fan* wrote to ask if we ever see others out on our walks. At 5PM there are not many. Thems out at that hour are often jogging; they whiz by without as much as a how-do-you-do. Sometimes we encounter other dogs. There is a rubric when approaching such parties. Each set sizes each other up for the other’s dog for size and looks for signs of aggression. “Is your dog friendly?” is a common question. “Yes,” I reply (using a friendly voice) “She’s and old dog and quite friendly”. The words “she” and “old” are useful to appease the other. Harper often walks by without interaction at all. This is sometimes seen as a disappointment and there are slights made about her ‘not being that friendly’. Others want assurance against fights but they take mild umbrage when there is no doggy-interaction. I sense they think Harper is a snob.
They are not wrong that at 5AM Harper isn’t out to socialize she is out to smell the sniffs. My agenda is she empties her bladder and bowels. While we walk I listen to the podcasts on my roster that are five minutes or less. Winter morning dog walks are less than 10 minutes; the spring/summer strolls expand to 15 or more.
Regardless of the time of the year or the length of the walks all morning ablutions end with the obligatory trip to the pantry for a dental stick. These brown plastic looking sticks (about 5 inches) conjure up something out of NASA for space-feed. They don’t look at all appetizing but Harper eats them with relish.
Thus endeth the dog walk – and this entry. 🙂
*I forget which one but I remember he is well over four feet.
14 comments
April 26, 2019 at 8:58 AM
Old Lurker
Morning walks without a shirt?! How scandalous and/or appetizing.
I don’t like all this talk about Harper being an old dog one bit. No changes allowed!
I hope you also get a dental stick upon completion of a successful walk. Do you not also deserve a treat?
April 26, 2019 at 9:37 AM
Urspo
I always wear a shirt (just not a sweatshirt) lest I shock the neighbors and Mrs.Oliver. I don’t get no dental stick or nothing, but sometimes I go to Einstein Bros for a bagel.
April 26, 2019 at 9:16 AM
sam
Pup is the opposite. He looks deeply offended if no one notices his apparent cuteness. We need to do more a.m. walks-clear both of our heads before I hit rush hour and he hits I his doggie bed again.
April 26, 2019 at 9:58 AM
Urspo
sounds a good plan!
April 26, 2019 at 10:26 AM
Jennifer
Our Ginger is like that…doesn’t have time for other dogs and their nonsense. George barks and acts overly excited to see other dogs and that’s a real pain in the ass. Both dogs loooooove walks more than almost anything…except weiners cooked over a fire. 🙂
April 26, 2019 at 11:18 AM
Urspo
Dogs are a delight aren’t they? It’s heart warming to see them so happy with such simple things as walks, treats, and our coming home. No wonder we love them so.
April 26, 2019 at 9:08 PM
Infinite Jester
As an animal lover that no longer have pets, I especially enjoy reading such well written posts about the pets of others. Long may Harper walk!
You have been kind enough to indulge me with explanations of psychiatric disorders. Would you consider doing a Notes from the Office about substance-induced psychotic disorder? Thanks much in advance.
April 27, 2019 at 10:17 AM
Urspo
I would be glad to do so! Keep reading……
April 27, 2019 at 3:30 AM
David Godfrey
The lucky one has a companion for the early morning stroll. Who is the lucky one?
April 27, 2019 at 10:16 AM
Urspo
we have mutual benefits indeed.
April 27, 2019 at 4:13 AM
Ron
Love your dog walks! Also love your writing style. You are so naturally talented. You. You could easily make a living with your writing skills much like our own Faye Jacobs does here in Delaware Land. She also tours. By the way, do you encounter Thems” on your walks who are well over four feet tall?
April 27, 2019 at 10:16 AM
Urspo
Thems I meet are generally well over four feet and walk with them with four feet.
April 27, 2019 at 4:58 AM
Moving with Mitchell
Ah, yes, and I remember the nautical twilight in Phoenix… and the smell of the sea.
April 27, 2019 at 10:15 AM
Urspo
Nautical twilight is an actual term for a certain light prior to sunrise. Really!