I just finished reading “Walking My Dog” in the Wilderness magazine and had to tell you I loved it. Walking a dog has to be one of the least expensive and most rewarding experiences one can have.
I was reminded of walking my first greyhound. She was only 16 months old when we got her and had already been so badly mistreated that she was of no use for the track. It took me a year to get her socialized, and it took a lot of hugs and kisses and saying “It’s okay baby”.
At first I couldn’t get her out of the yard. She was in her haven. She thought she’d died and gone to heaven, and she had no intention of leaving. She finally realized that the walk was for her pleasure and that I would bring her back home.
She saw every leaf, she was fascinated by a plastic bag that fluttered. She was frightened by the crows having a convention in the trees until I turned her face up so she could see them.
Her first walk in the snow was a joy. The walks were shoveled. She walked in the piles where the snow had been piled, and looked at me as if to say “Isn’t this fun!!”. She would try to coax me to race with her. No way can I run 40 mph.
We lost her at age 7. She had a cancerous kidney
which was removed and was no longer a problem, but she got a blood infection, I think from the vet’s resident dog donor. At least I can realize
how much happiness I brought to her, but I miss her still. Thanks for listening.
Marge Daboll, for “Swifty”, kennel name “Fifi”
I say this to every person who has lost a loved dog--and I practice it myself. If you had a good experience with the dog you had, and are able to provide a good home for a dog that needs one--get another dog. It won't be the same--it never is--every animal is different. But all of ours have been special, and have taught us different things. Thank you for listening.
