My dog took me for a walk today. I told him I had to mail some cards, that it was very important I get them to the mailbox in time for the last mail-out or they wouldn't reach their destinations in time to wish their recipients a Happy Birthday. He was so happy to hear of my dedication that he did a little jig in the kitchen, tail wagging so furiously that it started to go in circles and bang the cupboard doors with a kind of drum-beat. He was even more excited when I pulled his leash out of the junk drawer. He was just so happy I was going to get the cards mailed on time.
He bounced out the kitchen door before me and proceeded to dive off the stairs. My fat running shoes could not keep up. I have a lump on my head from hitting the pavement at the bottom of the porch.
He is just such a happy dog. He loves EVERYONE. I don't understand why the feeling is not always mutual. The lady who's butt he sniffed was not at all friendly, what with her cuss words and eye-beams that bore holes through my head. I don't think she understands dogs at all! And the fellow he chased around the car...why didn't he just stop running and pet the poor pooch? Just because Skipper bared his teeth didn't mean he was DEFINITELY going to bite him. People are just so uptight.
Skip knew I was in a hurry so he did diligence to pull me at full pace down the road. And yet he also knows how to enjoy the journey, as he stopped over and over and over to smell the flowers (okay, he was smelling other dogs' toilet offerings, but I'm sure they were as good as flowers to him). He played "I don't hear you" as I called his name and "I don't see you" as I worked to get his attention off the fences, lamp-posts, walls, trees, etc. and back on the walkies. He just loves to play interactive games with me!
We got to the mailbox by the drugstore just in time...well, okay, waaaaaaaay before the last mail-out, but that's good. It gave us extra time to get him untangled from the boys' bicycles parked outside the store. I thought boys LIKED dogs? Apparently not all boys think dogs are fun.
Well, the birthday cards will get to their destinations on time, and I have my dog, Skipper, to thank for that. He is just so conscientious.
And in case you're wondering....this is how I CHOOSE to interpret our walk today. Because if I didn't....well, let's just say I'd find a new use for the word, "doggone"!
