This is the time of year when dog-walks are least liked – at least by me. Harper does not seem to mind; she would walk anytime provided it is not raining. The morning walks, at 5AM, in January, are done in the dark in near freezing temperatures. The minimal walk is around the block at total of five minutes. I don’t have a winter jacket anymore, so I put on several layers of whatever is at hand. At this hour the winter constellations are sinking in the west, with Castor and Pollux are at the top of an arch of descending stars. Overhead in the predawn sky is Leo, king of the spring constellations, heralding the arrival of warmer months. Until then, I bundle up and get in and out as quickly as I can.
Speaking of things overhead, this morning we heard Mrs. Oliver, the great horned owl. She likes to sit on top of the streetlight athwart to home. From this viewpoint she can see us but we cannot see her. It makes me feel glad to hear her. Funny how we use the term ‘night owl’ to describe someone who stays up late and sleeps in late when we three are early risers.
When I work from home Harper gets in three walks in that day, the lucky dog: one in the morning; one at lunch time; and another one after work at 5PM. In the third walk we fetch the mail. She’s gotten used to these times she can guess when they are coming and she gets excited about 1130AM and at 430PM. Telling an excited dog to wait is like King Cnut holding back the tide. On occasion in zoom appointments the patient and I are talking and there is a sudden woof of impatience. “Do you have a dog there?” I am asked.
Someone seldom goes on dog-walks but when he does Harper’s euphoria goes even higher than usual. Sometimes he makes a false move to suggest he is joining us when he actually isn’t. This drives Harper to distraction as she expects him to join us. It takes more effort to get her out the door and get her going. It miffs me despite all my dog-walks she prefers Someone, but it makes sense. In her eyes he is the Master and I am The Other Dog.
It is nice to see in her dotage she still springs up in instant pleasure and energy at the mere mention of the ‘W” word, which we never say out loud but spell out slowly lest we cause frustrations.
I hope Harper, Mrs. Oliver, and I have many morning meetings this year.
27 comments
January 5, 2021 at 12:57 PM
Parnassus
If Harper hates rain, she would hate Taipei, where we get into rainy spells that can last months, such as the one we are in right now. If she recognizes the word walk, can’t you use synonyms like constitutional or perambulation, or has all your erudition rubbed off on her?
–Jim
January 5, 2021 at 1:04 PM
Urspo
Even as a pup she hated puddles and water and rain. We were afraid she would need supervision in the backyard lest she drown in the pool but there is no fear of that. Even on dog-walks if she sees a puddle she will walk widely around it.
Whenever it rains there is no getting her out so I’ve learned to get her excited to go out on a walk before she realizes it is wet out. She bolts forward only to discover it is raining, she quickly urinates, and turns tail homeward. At least the business is done.
January 5, 2021 at 1:05 PM
Urspo
About synonyms, I say I am taking the pooch on a peripeteia.
January 5, 2021 at 1:40 PM
anne marie in philly
ARF, harper!
January 5, 2021 at 1:46 PM
Urspo
Arf, arf , and woof too
January 5, 2021 at 2:34 PM
David Godfrey
I think it is wonderful that we see and hear cats and dogs on Zoom calls, it adds a touch of humanity to our isolation. When “W” left office someone asked him about the change, he said, One day you are one of the most powerful men in the world, and the next morning you are following the dog with a plastic bag on your hand. You can always post walking the dog posts.
January 5, 2021 at 3:14 PM
Urspo
“walking the dog” is one of the more popular postings; people like their animals.
January 5, 2021 at 2:38 PM
mcpersonalspace54
Just reading your post makes me realize just how much I love dogs and how much I love and appreciate my dog. We go on morning walks every morning for two miles. It is dark and peaceful and we are together. I cannot imagine doing anything different each and every morning.
January 5, 2021 at 3:15 PM
Urspo
Yes it is lovely isn’t it.
Every day I wonder how much longer this will go on, It reminds me to love her and life as it happens
January 5, 2021 at 3:12 PM
Sam
I guess I should feel honored that my pup loves me more than any other human in my house. They get a quick bit of excitement when they walk in from elsewhere, but I am the main attraction. I hate walking the dog at night as well-so cold dark, and the snow has now packed the path.
January 5, 2021 at 3:15 PM
Urspo
I cannot imagine what it would be like to walk a dog at night IN SNOW.
Brrrrr
January 5, 2021 at 3:13 PM
Old Lurker
Harper hates the water? Did you accidentally adopt a cat?
What a great personal trainer. Upping your exercise to three times a day is an excellent strategy now that the gyms are closed. I imagine she does not come cheap but I bet it is worth every penny.
January 5, 2021 at 3:16 PM
Urspo
Correct, the extra walk is for my sake as well as hers otherwise we both sit all day long.
January 5, 2021 at 5:36 PM
Sassybear
My dogs never take me for a walk 😦
January 5, 2021 at 7:03 PM
Urspo
I suggest you take the lead for a while until the get the hang of it; pretty soon they will be pestering you to take them out. hohoho
January 5, 2021 at 7:08 PM
Todd Gunther
Could the word “walk” be uttered in another language like French or Spanish (pasear)?
January 5, 2021 at 7:19 PM
Urspo
Yes as we both speak some German we use the word Spaziergehen
January 5, 2021 at 8:17 PM
Bob Slatten
I do love the joy a dog gets out of the mere idea, or even tease, of a walk. We can just look at Ozzo and say, ‘Walkie walkie?’ and he goes ape with glee.
BUT … we have never asked that question at 5AM!!!!!
January 5, 2021 at 8:23 PM
Urspo
It’s a mercy she doesn’t nudge me at 5am as she does the other times of the day
January 5, 2021 at 10:52 PM
wcs
In our household, the dog prefers the other dog to the master. I won’t say who is who. We wait until first light to venture out, which means waiting for winter walks. Summer walks happen much earlier.
January 6, 2021 at 6:13 AM
Urspo
Dark walks around here have the hazards of coyotes and javelinas. No good that.
January 6, 2021 at 1:56 AM
Moving with Mitchell
How exciting to have a great horned owl as a regular visitor.
January 6, 2021 at 6:12 AM
Urspo
I love owls. To have my favorite nearby is a delight.
January 6, 2021 at 3:51 AM
Hugh W. Roberts
I can’t even spell out certain words without our two dogs going crazy. They even know the word Sausage when I spell it out, and this Christmas they added advent calendar and mince pie to their vocabulary.
I do enjoy the freezing, cold, winter walks with them, though. The last week has been below freezing every morning of their early walk.
January 6, 2021 at 6:12 AM
Urspo
My dog like yours has an uncanny sense I am merely thinking of a walk. No words need to be said.
January 6, 2021 at 7:29 AM
Lori
Such a cute pup. Fur friends are the best. What will you do without a winter coat in Michigan?
January 6, 2021 at 8:24 AM
Urspo
I have layers. I also don’t expect to be out in the cold much other than waiting for a brother to pick me up at the airport. If the niblings want me to go out I can decline I don’t have any good coat to do so. 🙂