August 29, 2010

White Dog woke us at 7:30 in anticipation of our usual Sunday morning walk in the Bosque with Gregg, Candace and Dragon. She was ready to go when we reminded her that Dragon's family had asked for the morning to sleep in and that we were not meeting until noon. White Dog watched the clock and at 11:30 began hurrying us all to get in the car to pick them up.

Once everyone was packed in and greetings exchanged, Steve suggested that perhaps a walk change of pace was in order so instead of the Bosque, we went to the Nature Center (where the group usually starts their bike rides) and walked the path there. I stayed behind to read and maintain the home base and gaily waved Dragon and Gregg (at the lead), Steve and White Dog, and Quinn and Candace off on their start.

Less than an hour later White Dog came rushing back to the car, straining at the leash because Steve would not run fast enough. When they reached me, Steve handed me the lead and indicated that we needed to clean her up because she had been hit with an awful messy bout of looseness. He indicated that she got to a certain point in the walk where she just sat down and refused to go forward any longer. And after he insisted, White Dog unhappily followed his command but a short time later was stricken.

We wondered whether it was some sort of anxiety thing about leaving me behind (because she has started wanting to come back and check on me even when we go to the Bosque). But, when White Dog and Steve go to the Park or to his office or on their nightly walks, she is just fine. We cannot imagine why she would feel so nervous about my remaining behind.

A little later the rest of the group sauntered back. It was decided that maybe instead of lunch al fresco we would all adjourn to our house and carry in Vietnamese cuisine. There everyone could be comfortable and relaxed. AND there was a secret stash of round steak bones waiting in the freezer to refreshingly sate the furry ones.

Tonight as we ready for bed, White Dog still is clingy and The Other White Dog wonders why I have marked him with vivid grass green paint. TOWD looks at me suspiciously and leans against Steve as he explains that it is to help Dr. Julia find the skin tumors that will be removed tomorrow. He tells Quinn not to worry the paint will be gone after the procedure, but he is afraid to tell our big white chow hound that there will be no food from now until after the surgery.