THE WALK

This seasonal thing has had me in a strange mood for a couple of weeks...it's affected my ability to think clearly and my general enthusiasm for anything. I'm glad to say that I noticed a difference come Monday of this week. I woke up early --wide awake and raring to go. Now that was a real change of pace, let me tell you.

I got up and ate my breakfast, took my pills, made my bed and called my girls -- two large dogs: a red chow/retriever mix and a red Doberman, Hattie and Rhiannon. I've always walked my dogs separately;however, I decided to try something new. I had a new item called a "Halti". It is a kind of "collar" that goes on the head and nose of a dog and fastens to the leash. It is designed, supposedly, to keep the dog from pulling. Rhiannon is notorious for pulling on the leash. So, I put the Halti on her. Got both dogs hooked up together on one leash and we were off for a walk. It was just 7:45 in the a.m. Lately at 7:45 I've been staring into a cup of coffee wishing I were back in bed and wondering what could be my purpose in this world... This was a nice change!

Where we live it is called "The Livable Forest". The community was built in a forested area where they cut only the trees necessary to clear the site where a house or a small shopping strip was to be built. All other trees were left; thus, it is a community with many old and tall trees which, by the way, cannot be cut unless they are dying or diseased. Behind the houses and through some empty grassy areas, there are walking paths which wander through the neighborhoods. It is truly like a walk in the forest. I felt happy walking through the fallen leaves and looking at their changing colors and remembered Fall in Michigan when I was young. There I remember some of the leaves turned vibrant oranges and reds. I thought maybe the change of seasons is not a reason to be so sad. Maybe I need to go outside and look at the leaves, feel the crisp air, and appreciate the season for what it has. I probably need to talk to myself in a positive way about it is Fall and time to get ready for the holidays. Start working on Christmas projects. And Get Outside. (See I stay in the house way too much).

We followed the path through the leaves until we came to a bridge and opted to make a turn. By then the girls were walking at an even pace. For the first time of walking them together, they did suprisingly well. I don't let my dogs have a loose leash but make them heel. Walking two large dogs side-by-side at your left heel can be a challenge but they did beautifully after the first few minutes. There was one hairy instance when a squirrel darted across the path and Rhiannon lunged to go after it. I gave a firm "No" and yanked hard on the leash and she stopped...Thank God...because she is very strong and quite capable of attempting to drag me along with her -- especially should Hattie decide to join in for the chase! But she minded in exemplary fashion. When they started to look like they were tiring, I headed us for home. We had been gone about 45 minutes. Not bad for a first time and 10 year old dogs. The Halti has turned out to be a good device. Now that I can walk them together, I will probably work it into my schedule either daily or every other day.