As I've mentioned here, I walk Oreo every day. Several months ago I took him for two walks a day for two or three days - and then he decided that was our new routine so I was walking him twice a day for a while. It's hot here so I've been trying to "re-train" him to only be walked once a day. When I was walking him twice a day he would occasionally ask for a third walk but the ask was half-hearted. If I didn't immediately respond, he would give up. But during that time, he would not give up for that second walk - no matter what!
So, I've been working on getting him to give up on the second walk ask recently. It's getting better but he hangs on longer with the ask than he did when he asked for the third walk but less than he was asking for the second walk, when it was part of our routine.
But, it's very touchy. One second walk and suddenly the asks get longer. Truth told, he usually gives up right before I would've given in if he hadn't given up. But don't tell him that - it's a secret! 😁
Anyway, I did something yesterday that made me a little anxious and I needed to burn off some nervous energy. I was pacing the floor in my living room and decided I'd give Oreo that second walk, even though he hadn't asked for it yet.
And the thing with Oreo is, he doesn't look that gift horse in the mouth, he's just like "do I want to go on a walk? are you kidding me? Let's do this baby!" and he's good to go.
So I took him on this extended walk. He enjoyed it, I burned off some anxious energy and we were both happier than we had been before the walk.
But it reminded me of a time before he was living here full time. Oreo came from my neighbors. I offered to start watching him two years ago - as soon as I learned of his existence. I fell in love almost instantly and I think the feeling was mutual. He's been here full time for almost a year and a half now. But, before that happened, I would have to be up, dressed and ready to get him at a time they specified (and rarely met themselves), and have him until they got home. Thing was, if she decided to go out after work, she did and she wouldn't mention anything to me at all. Then fairly frequently, I'd get texts late at night asking if Oreo could spend the night. Sometimes I wouldn't hear from her at all, although that was less frequent. She never considered how that impacted me. What if I had plans? What if I wanted to go somewhere? I really couldn't plan because I never knew when she'd get home and want her dog. It became an issue and we talked about it on multiple occasions but it still continued to happen. I was happy to keep Oreo here and make him mine but let me know that's what's going on, don't just leave him here holding me hostage. It drove me nuts.
On one such occasion I was livid when she contacted me. I needed to burn some energy so I decided I'd take Oreo on a walk. And Oreo was game, as always. The difference was, I was walking angry and for probably the only time ever, I was basically dragging him behind me. I wasn't interested in a leisurely walk where he stopped and sniffed every tree, branch, pole or whatever else might have a scent he wanted to check out - I needed to get this energy OUT!
Thinking about that yesterday made me laugh. Poor little guy was happy to be being walk but also I'm sure he was confused.
So I guess emotional walking should be done with care, if you're walking with your four legged friend. 🦮
No comments:
Post a Comment