Puppy Training

That's what I'm going to call my morning walk.  I've been waiting for the mood to strike me to just get up and go for a walk, and well, this morning it finally did.  I have been vowing for weeks that when the weather breaks, I will go walk.  Well, today doesn't really qualify at 90 degrees at 8am.  However I couldn't will myself to just sit in the cool air conditioned house again this morning like I have been every other morning.  

I grabbed the leash and my phone, opened the car door and off we went.  The pup, Ellie, was in the back seat chewing a big green cup to bits when I hooked her up to the leash at the park.  Where do you put your cell phone and your keys when you walk?  I didn't have any pockets in my stretchy yoga pants, the ones that have yet to touch a yoga mat, and the keys are a jingly handful that chew and scratch my phone screen every time they connect.  Idea: I strung the keys onto the leash next to her collar.  Uh NOPE.  Puppy freaked!  

So with the keys in one hand, I wrapped the leash around them to keep the clanging down to a minimum and with the cell phone in my right hand off we went on the walking track in the 90+ still-morning air.  We were alone except for one man in a head band singing and bouncing his way around in circles and the Park & Rec crew of two on their morning watering effort to keep the grass somewhat greenish.  The grass is more like crunchy corn flakes before milk at this point and where they are watering - after milk, soggy/crunchy cornflakes.  Sad.  On the plus side, I haven't had to mow for a month now.  In fact I heard that some guy was mowing his field and the mower blade struck a rock causing a spark that started a fire.  Good enough for me, not mowing!

Els thought it was a race.  She was like a wild animal running then stopping abruptly to sniff and then running again zig zag changing direction in mid sniff to circle the other way.  A bundle of energy.  She did not grasp  the concept of walking alongside her master in a forward pattern on my left side only.  I was very thankful that there were only 3 people that might be witnessing a small white dog tangle me up with her blue leash while I stumbled like a klutz, giggled like I was tipsy and almost fell on my face twice, like a passing out drunk, bam.  It was fun!  NOT!!  I got hot right away and then worried that she was going to end up from here on out, barking like a 3 pack-a-day smoker, from a) me giving her such a short leash and b) her straining to be at the end of it for three quarters of a mile.  

FINALLY, when both of us were tired of the struggle and I thought about giving up, she calmed down.  The last bit of the trail she was walking beside me like a trusted companion.  She was matching my pace and keeping good distance.  I was so proud when Mr. Headband Singer bopped by and said "he's a well behaved little guy".  She was sitting and staying just like a pro.  When we were back to our starting point I was tempted to take another lap but decided to not to and finish on this positive note.

I'm not really sure who got the bigger lesson today, Ellie, in how to take a walk, or me, how to just get out and do it.  Whatever.  I just like this feeling and I hope I remember to wear pants with a pocket next time.  Oh and take a ball to throw around BEFORE the walk to wear her down a bit.  Hey, maybe this is really "people training".