Dogs by the Numbers

Three…

It always starts with one. One dog on a leash, walking patiently and obediently with his human friend. And then, if the day is busy or even if it’s not, there’s generally another dog on our way to three. Two dogs on a leash trying to walk patiently and obediently with their human friend. But there are also squirrels and cats and strange men in hats all of which can cause distractions. And there is business to be accomplished on the tree, near the curb, at the very end of the extended leash.

On some days there’s another dog who joins the two making three dogs walking not so patiently and not so obediently anymore with their human friend. There are more squirrels and more cats and more business to attend to. There are also places to play, but some days adaptation is called for — no tennis courts, but a backyard.

One dog…and his many faces…

Two dogs begging for a treat…

Three dogs ready for more walking…

Two…

Counting backwards, two follows three, but on some days, two follows one even when you’re counting backwards. It’s generally the same — one dog on a leash learning to walk obediently by his human friend and then the pull as they approach the second dog waiting patiently at home. Then it’s two dogs trying to walk correctly though there’s the excitement of this smell and then that, of the birds flying overhead, and the sound of that little tiny dog from inside her house.

And there are trees the same size as the dogs, and there are smiles ignited by the knowledge they are close to place to play. This wasn’t the preferred place, but some dogs don’t know how to discriminate and they are so big and so strong, you just have to give into their demands (no names mentioned here…wink, wink, wink!).

And there are found toys, which are always better than the real toys, well, until they get taken away and then there’s satisfaction with the real toys. Mostly, though, there’s just happiness and satisfaction of two dogs together.