This weekend, at Lake Arrowhead, Callie’s bathroom breaks have been pretty short and sweet. Which is fine with me, because I’m still wearing summer shorts, and there is a late-summer, early autumn chill in the air.
This morning, Callie and I went outdoors just before sunrise. We were joined by a barn owl and his loud “whoo whoos.” And the sky was an uncharacteristic bright orange and salmon color as some weather is moving in.
As has been her habit these last few days, Callie made quick work of her bathroom business. I started to walk back to our house, but Callie tugged hard on her leash and I got the message — “I really want to go for a little walk.”
Ever since Ted Kerasote (“Merle’s Door”) was a guest on the “My Doggie Says…” show, I have let Callie have her way in these situations. Ted says, “I spend ten or fifteen minutes ‘reading the news’ every morning, why shouldn’t Merle get to ‘read the news?’ After all, that’s what a dog is doing when it sniffs every odor on its path.”
“Those little dachaunds peed here yesterday.” “A coyoote walked by here earlier this morning.” “A squirrel has been chewing on this pine cone.” “Hmmm, someone spilled some hot chocolate by the motor home.”
So, I let Callie “read the news” this morning, and I could tell she appreciated it. When she was ready, she headed for home and said, “Thanks, Fred, it was a pretty good news day.”
Build your human-dog relationship — one sniff at a time!
