What a glorious day today! Weather could not have been more perfect! Acey and I had quite a walk in the park. Everybody was out: young couples, families w/children, older folks, runners...tourists..weddings and wedding parties...dogs everywhere...
There was a time I allowed 30 mins., plus or minus, for a good, vigorous walk in the park, which included time to and fro. Today, it took us two (2) hours. I think the sniffer gets a little weak after 13 yrs...so it takes forever to "read a message"..and then there are the lay-down rest periods in the shade. Instead of quick responses to slight tugs of the lead, never breaking stride, now Ace and I can get into "discussions" where he asserts himself, stopping completely, stalling...insisting on an alternative route or, perhaps, not moving at all until he decides which way he wants to go, if at all. He is also much more into routine; much less open to mixing it up until I find myself negotiating out loud, "Oh! Please! Can't we go this way just once??"
And then there is allowing audience time with everyone who wants to interact with Ace; such a popular guy! [One woman today, with heavy accent, commented how Ace looks like a polar bear punctuated with "Well, at least there's one left!"] =)
So, while sometimes these walks really test my patience, am I amazingly grateful Ace and I can still get out and walk about? That he's still w/me, in darned good health yet ? Ahhhhh: yes, I am. Indeed, I am! I am profoundly grateful. Deeply, profoundly grateful.
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