Tom: When I hear my dogs scratching on the back door it means one of two things: We would like a treat, or we would like to go for a walk. I don’t know when they trained me to respond this way, but I’m sure Pavlov is having a good chuckle at my expense.

Dawn: 70 lb dog sitting on me.  Get up.  Yes, Lola thinks she is a lap dog.  She always has.

Tom: Weather ? They don’t care. It’s not that they’re mean, they just simply don’t care. Ginger, it’s minus seven and snowing. Still scratching at door. Stripe it’s 50 and raining. Still scratching at the door. You dogs, it’s 95 with 100 percent humidity. Still scratching at the door.

Dawn: The other name for Lola is Princess Puppy Paws.  When I have been demanded to wake up because she needs to go outside, I will put on whatever I can find and open the door.  This is where the problem begins.  We, meaning Princess Puppy Paws must first stick her snout out the door.  If it’s nice, we are good to go.  If it’s raining.  Nope.  If it’s snowing and cold, nope.  What does this mean?  It means, I get a treat and say we are going outside.  Bad weather means I get a treat on the way out and on the way in!

Tom: Today was 7 degrees with big, fluffy snowflakes coming down when the scratching began. I dutifully put on my boots, snow pants, coat hat and gloves, packed a pocket full of treats and filled a water bottle for myself. It is part of the ritual and what they have come to expect. We loaded into the truck and drove to Forestville to hike along the Dead River.

Dawn:  It was -14 here the other day.  I overslept and was late for work.  The car did that lovely whine sound.  We all know it….  you sit and turn over the key and just pray, please start.  Lola refused to go out.  I knew it was going to be a long day at work and she has to go out.  I’m outside in my pajamas, foul weather sailing jacket with dog treats, door open and nope she just sat by the open door.  I think when you are 10 year old dog you can get stubborn.  There was no budging her.  So, I had to pull out the big guns and nothing like a piece of ham to get Princess Puppy Paws outside.

Tom: We have done this walk hundreds of times and it never gets boring. I have found that the more familiar I am with my surroundings, the more I notice the subtle differences in the details. Hard to get bored when things are constantly changing.  On these walks I have come to believe the earth is paradise. We just need to allow ourselves the chance to see it and experience it. I also believe, as my puppy mentor had told me, that tired dogs are happy dogs. Our walks are off leash and I suspect the dog’s walk is about five times as long as mine. Tired dogs are happy dogs and when I am well exercised, I am happier too.

Dawn: My dog trainer taught me to keep lunch meat in my pocket.  This is how I trained Lola.  She is incredibly obedient on our walks.  The reason is I just may have corned beef in my pocket.  This was very effective during our walks on the city streets in Milwaukee.  It has not been so effective by the shores of Lake Champlain.  There are these things called geese, ducks, loons, snow geese that just don’t belong in the water and they must be sent into the air.  The last time was quite hilarious, she bolted to the water which has about two to three feet of ice at the shore to get to the geese…… she skated a bit, felt the water and bolted back to me.  She was not a happy dog.  I was not happy carrying a 70 pound dog home in fear of her paws freezing.

Tom: Sometimes I bring my phone with me. This allows me to share my adventure or talk through some of the difficulties of the day with a friend. I can also take pictures. Technology blows my mind. The phone I carry has more computing power than they used to land man on the moon. It puts the bravery of those early astronauts in perspective.

Dawn: I like talking to my friend.  Hearing about home.  I do try to avoid bringing my phone with me when I am by the water.  There are three cell phones in Lake Michigan, sailing incidents.  Two in Lake Champlain.  Huh, I need to get one in Lake Superior.  Good ole’ Gitchee Gummee.

Tom: As I’m walking through the majesty of 150 foot tall, old growth pines, I can reach out to my friend 900 miles away and have her here with me or send her a picture I just took. Amazing.  We truly live in Star Trek times.

Dawn:  I hate Star Trek.  My sister used to watch it all the time.  I found that show so boring.  But I love the pictures.  One of my dad’s favorite spots is where my friend walks.  I love getting the pictures.  I know that if my dad had lived longer he would be texting pictures.  It brings me home.  Warms my heart.  Makes me homesick.

 

Tom: Not only are the walks bonding moments with my dogs, but they help me to clear my head and keep life in perspective. Life is good and there is joy to be found everywhere. As an added bonus, as I approach 50, all of my medical tests are normal and I take no pharmaceuticals since making dog walks a daily part of my life. Get a dog friend. they will improve your life in countless ways.

Dawn:  Since I am the girl in this story, I do get the last word.  Get a dog.  It will be the best thing you have ever done.  My children are all worried that when Lola dies, I will be completely lost.  She understands backup, get a drink, …. yes we communicate. They have this plan that when this day comes, mom needs a dog.  Another nickname for Lola, the Golden Leaver.  Now that we walk by the lake, she retrieves anything out of the water, whether it be a stick, me swimming, a kayaker….or a duck in the ice.

Lola is my faithful companion.  Tom is my dear friend.

And sometimes we walk our dogs together.  900 miles away.