These Paws Were Made For Walking

It is so uplifting, when the sun shines.  I love when Momma says, ‘Walk, Jakita?’  I am off that couch double-quick in case she forgets. It has happened, in the span of mere seconds, something else catches Momma’s attention…like the phone rings, the cat meows…it doesn’t take much.

I tell you, I am a pro at putting up with things….for instance wearing a doggie sweater or coat, waiting patiently to get my paws cleaned when the walk is over, having the leash almost yank my ears off when Momma removes it, all the while standing on the mat.

Yesterday was no exception.  It was a cold one for April yet the sun was high in the  blue sky, radiating warmth, urging me to trot faster, reach my destination so I could sniff every burgeoning blade of grass in the cemetery. Momma says, ‘Not so fast, Jakita.  We have to stop and talk to the Keeper-of-the-Cemetery-Lady, whose front window faces the graveyard and RIP Daddy’s plot.’

I understand it is the Keeper-of-the-Cemetery-Lady’s job to report to Momma if she sees RIP Daddy roaming around.  But today the talk between Momma and the Keeper-of-the-Cemetery-Lady started on politics, griping about the city councillors, the mayor, the premier…with so many questionable decisions handed down on a daily basis, it would take ages to get to my grass sniffing….so I tugged the leash, gently at first, continuing with more force, warbling, then whining…next thing they’d be on to the prime minister…I could not let it dissolve to that!  I had things to do, places to go, NOW!

Eventually, I won and we were on our way, enjoying the day and all if its hidden treasures, like a twig, a stick, a squirrel high in the tree, shrieking away at me. What is with those squirrels? They are as shrill as poor Hillary Clinton. No matter, I still would vote for her. It was so fabulously marvelous.  Who knew, cute Little Rascal Reilly would be free, adding to the excitement?

As Momma and I meandered home a little white and black fluff ball came tearing across the street, looking to make friendly.  I stopped dead in my tracks.  This was not good.   I knew because when I was a puppy, I was just as wild and free, taking off any chance I could get.  The only difference was in my world, poor Momma and Daddy chased behind, trying to catch me (in vain, I confess).  It seemed Little Rascal Reilly had no one that even knew he was missing.  What should we do Momma?

Which home had he escaped from, Momma and I wondered?  We knew the dogs up and down and all around, but never had met up with this little puppy before.  Time to knock on doors, said Momma.  We will ask if anyone knows who this sweet, scatter brained puppy belongs to.  Sometimes, it is just plain, dumb luck and playing the process of elimination. We knew most of the people on the street so figured it had to someone we had not yet met.  Still, it was a eureka moment to actually knock on the right door the first time.

As soon as the door opened you could see they had been so preoccupied with their new-born baby that they had not even realized Little Rascal Reilly had made his Great Escape. Probably this cute little fluff ball, always demanding and getting all the attention, was feeling under appreciated and overwhelmed with the presence of competition in the form of a precious, yet squawking baby whose every sigh was met with adulation.

At different point in our lives, it gets complicated.  Though I am not making judgement today about how Reilly made his get away unnoticed, I’m just saying, I am keeping an eye on it…just in case we got a situation, on our hands.  I  am trusting that by helping Little Rascal Reilly go home, (somewhat like Lassie?) that I gained some good Karma t,o make up for some questionable deeds in my past.…because in life you spend faster than you save…at least I do.

Oh, and you know me. I love a happily ever after ending!