I've been bitching a lot lately about how rarely Chris is walking with me. It gets very old walking both dogs and I especially hate that it always seems to fall to me, much like laundry and policing. I would say dishes, but Chris periodically orders Ant to do them. This week, however, we are watching the neighbor's dogs and I can't wait for things to get back to normal.
I was assured that the dogs would be fine to stay in the yard, but that just didn't work out. Not only would that not fly with me, but Queenie is a hound and Baxter's a beagle. These are noisemakers. The first night, the three of us walked the four dogs, adjusting our strategy to match energy levels and to give each other a break. Afterwards, we put the dogs back in their cages out back. We're pretty sure they were ok that night, but when we came into the kitchen the next morning, we could hear Baxter howling. Chris says Queenie was crying too, but maybe I couldn't hear her over Baskerville, I mean Baxter. Another neighbor was displeased with the volume and was ready to call the cops, so that was their last night outside. Over the past few days, we have all worked hard to care for them. Ant is letting them out mornings and afternoons, Chris is giving them free time in the backyard, I'm on food detail and evening run around the yard time. Starting Thursday, it's been on Ant and I for the walks since Chris is working.
We've been adjusting our strategy nightly, and tonight we got really close. There are warehouses nearby with patches of grass and very few people. Ant's feet were hurting after being pulled over about 4000 breaks in the sidewalk. The warehouse has smooth asphalt on 3 sides. Tonight was still frustrating and exhausting, but better.
I feel terrible if my dogs don't get a good walk every day. After this recent experience, I realize that I am actually a really good dog owner for two reasons: I trained my girls well, and I walk them almost every day. This means their training is continuous. I had Baxter and Jasmine to start, and I periodically had to switch sides. I stared in amazement because it was the Pit Bull that was giving my arm a rest. She responded to the lightest touches and attentively kept pace with me. When I stopped, she sat. And Riley, of course, was trotting along ahead of us. She likes her freedom to sniff, but keeps the same pace about 20 feet ahead. She waits for me, and looks back regularly to check in with me on where we're going. On walks, they are quiet, calm, and obedient. They know they have to stay on the sidewalk, even if the sprinklers are on. I do a great job with them, and I am very proud of how well they behave. Notice how Jasmine is walking with other dogs? Uh-huh. After yesterday's skateboarding didn't wear Baxter out or improve his behavior, Ant begged me to train these dogs. Then he said he would send his puppies to me for training. We are exhausted. If we want to accomplish anything, it has to happen before the dog walk because we are worthless after it. Nothing will make you appreciate your dogs like watching somebody else's.
