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October 13, 2009

Schedules, looming tasks, and mismatched timing typically sink any plans for a whole family walk. That’s why it’s almost always Ladies Night (or day) around here. But, yesterday, we convinced our boys to come along on a nice leashed walk. That means a MUCH shorter distance so that Ginko’s knees don’t get too sore. It also ends up being a slapstick-worthy spate of errors as we make our way up the road.

For a number of reasons, Ginko’s leash-walking skill is nowhere near Lilly’s. He lags behind, then shoots out ahead. He veers from left to right, back to front. He prances BOTH sideways and backward, while waiting to see if my hand reaches for the bait bag. In other words, Ginko does just about EVERYTHING but walk in a straight line.

To avoid the leashes getting tangled or anyone tripping, the task of avoiding disaster falls to me and Lilly because thanks to our agility work and near-constant, side-by-side companionship, we’re like a couple of Dancing With the Stars pros compared to Tom and Ginko’s amateur attempts (no offense, honey!). Lilly has learned over the years to read my body and other physical cues well.

The result of our valiant efforts, I suspect, looks something like a really bad square dance — with Lilly and I Do Si Do-ing in and out, up and down, back and forth, around our two handsome fellas.

Despite the less-than-relaxing nature of these full-family outings, we’re just happy to have the boys along enjoying what’s left of not-miserable walking weather.

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. Of the 4 dogs we take on walks, only 2 are on leashes, but it’s still enough to get us all tangled up. I’m not the training guru you are, so mine are all over, all the time. See a bird? Jerk my arm out of the socket! When my hubby comes along, we have a good natured command to each other: “Get control of your dog!” 🙂

  2. Ginko sounds like our R, especially if one person tries to walk him and his sister. I sometimes think that we are the biggest comedy show in town!

    Have you all tried Adequan for Ginko’s knees? You probably have but it’s on my mind. We’re about to start it for K because xrays from her pancreatitis also showed the beginnings of arthritis in her spine. No symptoms yet but we’re hoping to avoid them.

  3. Love your Dancing with the Stars analogy. Our greyhound, with her keen sight, can see so far ahead, sometimes I don’t know what she’s trying to get to. She’s calmed a lot since we got her (4 years ago) but if she spots a bunny, watch out! (She’s always on a leash, of course.)

  4. When we walk our 2 goldens, they always go back and forth and criss cross the leashes over and over. My favorite though is when they want to go on opposite sides of trees or poles!

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