Jack and I offered our services to JoAnn and Wally tonight. They were going to Orlando to be with some friends from New York. We agreed, without reservation, to walk and pottie Winston and J.J., their boxers. Seems when I'm outside our dogs are always with me. And Tanner only barks at two things; another dog and another person. So getting to know another dog in the park is almost impossible for me. But Jack, on the other hand has gotten to know Winston and J.J. and they seem to really like Jack. Me, not so much. They associate me with the barking little ankle biter, Tanner. So, last night we walk across the street at the appointed time. Jack takes Winston, the larger of the boxers and I take J.J., the smaller one by 4 lbs. They are blood brothers and where you see one you see them both. Wally walks them throughout the park with both leashes in one hand. How hard could this be? J.J. took off like a bat out of hell with me behind him, my feet barely touching the ground. When I finally was able to catch a breath I asked Jack, "Which one of these dogs is the Alpha dog?" "Oh, that would be J.J.!" Isn't that something you should have told me before we started out, I think to myself, as I shout out to Jack, "Please slow down so that J.J. can catch up with Winston!" Jack yells back over his shoulder, "Trust me, slowing down isn't an option." Winston evidently enjoyed his new found freedom without J.J. bossing him around. Finally, mercifully Jack was able to slow Winston down. And with J.J. pulling me at almost a run we caught up with them quite quickly. Those two dogs acted as if they hadn't seen one another in weeks. They jumped on each other, played, and bounced around like two kids. It really was sweet to watch them. And once they were able to walk side by side they were fine; no more pulling. We had a nice easy walk throughout the park.
What I haven't mentioned is this.....when we first harnessed the dogs and started our walk, several of the park's residents were doing their evening walk. Of course, me being pulled like a New Years Day Float didn't go unnoticed by any of them. So, this morning when Jack and I took our two out for their morning walk a few of the neighbors were gathered at Fran and Dick's; she is the local beautician and their RV backs up against our RV. We were the subject of the morning conversation and their laughter still rings in my ears.
Here is a pic of Jack, Winston and J.J.
