If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African Proverb
I never taught Trudy how to heel. She had to learn so much as a pup. Heeling seemed a little too rigid for her.Trudy's a smart, spirited dog. Stubborn to a fault. I wanted her to have some sense of control. At first there was lots of pulling on the leash. I even had to use a gentle leader (which I called the "nose thing") for awhile. I reigned her in just enough so that she was ahead, but not jerking me forward. I allowed her to lead me. I felt it gave her a sense of freedom. Dogness.
She was my personal trainer those first years, pawing me during breakfast, anxious to get to her work of clearing the neighborhood of squirrels, chipmunks, and geese. So I'd slurp down my coffee, clip the retractable leash to her red leather, bone studded collar and off we would go. In the beginning I watched her paws. She was jogging, I was power walking, with her occasional pauses to sniff or potty. We'd go at least 2 miles, many times more. We had different routes, and each day I would let her pick the direction at the forks in the paths. Some days she knew exactly which way to go, others, she would point her snout to the air, twitch her nose and pause before deciding. To this day, if I don't choose to go the way she wants, she pulls on the leash. I love this tug of war game. It shows her feisty independence.
She and I developed a strong bond, walking pretty much every day through heat, rain, snow, ice, and fog. It was my nature time. I discovered my peace on a path with my dog. I found bird's nests, drift wood, feathers and rocks that would "follow me home." I saw dew kissed spiderwebs dotting the soccer field like miniature circus tents. I witnessed herons spearing fish, turtles laying eggs and an owl studying me from a hollow in a tree. Every walk was a gift.
Trudy is 14 now. She still leads me. We go at a snail's pace and most days we don't even make it a mile. She stills looks over her shoulder to be sure of me. After our walk I give her a treat and head back out, dogless, to get more exercise. I feel naked, vulnerable, without her lead. My morning walk takes much longer now. But I will walk that 40 minute mile with her for as long as she wants to. It's the least I can do. Thank you Trudy for sharing the wonders of nature with me. You can always be sure of me. Together we go far. Now...for just a little while.
