In considering options for staying true to Sadie's free-walking spirit, I am wondering if there is one right beneath my feet right now -- the visiting grand dog, who certainly has plenty of energy for chasing a ball, but walking on a leash? Could this big boy be trained to do take a reasonably gentle walk without pulling this old man apart? If we went near a pond, would he drag us both into the drink in pursuit of the ducks?
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Dasher Doing His Thing |
Now, again, not meaning to be bad-mouthing Dash Man, but he has gotten rather thick around the middle. He weighs in at 103. Golden mix Sadie was a steady 63 most of her life. Yellow labs have a voracious appetite, and hanging around the concession stands as he often does, there is no telling how many hot dogs, hamburgers, or chicken nuggets might be slipped his way when management isn't looking. It is hard to think that Dasher would pass up a single morsel. But hey, let's get real. I like to eat hot dogs at baseball games, too, and I have an expanding waistline as a result of diminished dawgwalking. We have an interest in common: Dasher could benefit from losing 10 pounds; so could I. At least 10 pounds.
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Potential Walking Buddy at My Feet? |
One problem is that I battle spinal stenosis and have to stop and stretch out my back every block or so. Once Dasher's in motion, it is doubtful he will want to stop for anything. Could he be trained -- by me? By a trainer? Maybe.
Dasher goes to work in the mornings, and I am not an early-morning person. So maybe we could try some cool-of-the-evening outings -- a block or two for starters, then gradually increasing. Or maybe this will be a no-go, and I will eventually try to find another Sadie lady. Or if that is impossible, as it may well be, maybe I will just get myself a bicycle.
© Robert G. Holland
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