Just in Time for the Autumnal Equinox

The motto around here of late is “Just Keep Moving Forward.” Seems like we’ve been doing that for awhile now, but apparently we’re doing it correctly. Sigh.

Yes, it’s been too long since I last wrote a blog and so so much has happened in that time that I feel compelled to gloss over it lest your eyes become blurry from all the details. Let’s just say, though we haven’t been moving forward correctly, we have been moving forward rapidly.

So here’s the gloss:

Hayley was our first “contractor” hire for our dog walking business. I love her and Gretchen loves her too and so does Dezi and just about everyone else we know! She’s phenomenal as both a dog walker and most importantly, as a person and without her, we aren’t sure if we could keep doing what we’ve been doing.

Because Hayley worked out so well, we added Jessica too! Jessica is a long-time friend and one of my favorite Aunties ever. Dezi has grown to love her as well and on top of being the best Auntie, Jessica is a marvelous dog walker (and pet sitter!). She’s helped us out for a couple of years now, but recently became an official member of the team. We’re lucky to have her!

And because both Jessica and Hayley worked out so well, we added Eileen! And what an addition she’s been! I’ve only walked with her some of the time, but I had a blast when I did. Both Dezi and I approve and Gretchen is thrilled to be sharing the miles with another outstanding dog walker!

But what does that mean for us? Yes, we’re still walking though not nearly as much, which I suppose is a good thing since none of us is getting any younger. Dezi, not one to volunteer for every walk like I do,
is happy with the schedule, though I tend to be a bit more uncertain. I’m not a dog that likes change much and not walking 8-12 miles a day, is kind of a big change for me.

Gretchen likes to point out that on long days of dog walking, I’m pretty spent. She’s right of course, but no one likes to admit they’re getting older and since I still look like a puppy, I hate to admit it too. I suppose I should realize that Gretchen is getting older too and her body has taken quite a pounding this past 7 years. Walking the paved streets of Seattle takes its toll and her gnarly looking feet are just one example of that toll.

So what are we doing these days? Well, Gretchen has moved more to body work with dogs — massage, swim therapy, acupressure, and now something called FIT (Functional Indirect Techniques). She travels to people’s houses to work on their dogs and she still travels to two different pools to work with dogs in swim therapy (Aqua Dog and Splash Dog)

But she also just landed a very part time job at Equisport Medicine Integrative Veterinary Clinic and that’s been new and exciting for her! (Though not that exciting for me as of yet since I haven’t seen the new place nor met all the folks she’s working with!). Still, she’s very excited to be traveling to Kingston every other week to massage dogs that Dr. Christin Finn refers to her. Yes, it’s a long commute, but well worth the effort as it gives her a chance to work in the rehab field with an outstanding and well-respected rehab vet!

In addition to new dog walkers and a new job, we have some new clients. Sure most of the old gang is still here…Woobie, Tyson, Monty, Joey, Carter and Kali, Finn, Theo, and Bella…but we’ve had some
changes and some new additions. Here’s the rundown:

Woobie…she wasn’t in need of walks for awhile, but now she’s back and the official start to our day. We love Woobie and even though she, too, is getting old and a bit slower, she’s still a love and the most patient dog we know.

Tyson…he’s getting grey around the muzzle too, but he’s still enjoy life. We used to walk his sister Rosie too and while we still do on occasion, her scheduling needs didn’t match ours so she goes out with another dog walker in the area. But we still get to see Rosie every once in awhile and we get to see Tyson a bit more too! Gretchen massages him once a week and he LOVES that!

Monty…he’s definitely a senior citizen these days, but he’s still my best friend in the entire world. He’s slowed down quite a bit, but he gets excited to see us when we come to visit and he still loves hanging out at our house once a week and saying hello to all our guests!

Joey…funny that I would consider Joey a member of the old gang, but I guess he is in many ways. We don’t see him much in the summer, but now that the Autumnal Equinox is upon us, he’ll be with us more and more. Joey is getting older, too, but he’s certainly still very much a puppy! He bounds and bounces like he’s still 6 months old and everything in the world is a joyful experience for him!

Carter and Kali …yes, they are members of the old gang, though their daily walks have turned into “as needed” walks so while we get to see them, we don’t get to see them all the time anymore. That makes me sad because I’ve really grown to like them. Still, when we do get together, we catch up on all the news quickly and have a great time walking and sniffing (and yes, peeing!) together!

Finn..or Little Finn as we call him is the same as Joey — bouncy, joyful, excited to greet each day. And it’s hard to believe he’s part of the old gang too but we’ve been walking him for years now and now I think that qualifies him to be a member of our elite group.

Theo…I’ve realized that we have very few girl dogs in our pack, which is fine,

but I’m really glad Theo is a member because she’s such a great little dog! Even though we only walk her one day a week (along with occasional pet sitting), it’s always the highlight of our week to see her!

Bella…another girl, so I guess we do walk more than I thought…still, Bella’s personality is much bigger than the other girls in our pack so with all due respect, I consider her one of the boys! Bella is in charge no matter the situation — whether she’s on a walk with us or staying at our house for the day — she’s the boss and she is the first one to tell you if you forget! Still, she’s sweet and has learned to fit in well with the rest of the pack!

And the new ones? Well, the term “new” is used lightly here I guess. Since I haven’t written a blog for awhile, they aren’t all that new or should I say, some are newer than others, though all are still not qualified as being part of the old gang. (Wow, that was a confusing sentence!)

Let me introduce you to the new gang:

Albert…it’s hard to know if Albert should be in the new gang or the old…he’s been with us for awhile, but this year he’s upped his need for us. We walk him more than ever and he often stays with us when he’s family is away, so maybe technically Albert is on the cusp between the new and the old. Regardless, our pack would not be complete with Albert!

Roxanne…she’s another one who’s hard to pin down in the old or new category. She’s walked with us in the past, but mostly Gretchen has worked with Roxanne in the pool and on a weekly basis giving her a massage. Her housemate, Meeko, also went on walks, but since he’s moved away, Roxanne is now solo. We still walk Roxanne and Gretchen still massages her, and I suppose that’s the new part.

Finnegan …or Big Finn as we call him. Yep, he’s an Irish Wolfhound and is the largest dog we walk! He loves it when we come for a visit and almost can’t contain himself. He loves to walk and sniff and stare down birds and squirrels (he is a sight hound after all) and her really loves to bury his face in people’s stomachs (yes he’s that tall) to get a good face rubbing!

Greyson…almost as big as Big Finn, Greyson is a elderly Great Dane. Gretchen used to swim him, but now that he’s moved into our neighborhood, we just take him on short outings every day. I was a bit intimidated to meet Greyson, but he is a gentle giant who not only enjoys his walks, he LOVES when we bring over dog pals for him to walk with!

Uli…Uli is a big dog personality in a small dog body! Ulysses is his full name, but he goes by Uli and he is a little fireball! I love when we walk Uli because he has a great big dog yard and we get to play in it before we take him out for a walk. Uli is Theo’s one true boyfriend and the two of them play like fools in that yard!

Maddy and Greta…they are new, but I’ve never officially met them. Apparently, they don’t like other dogs much, which I understand, so Gretchen takes them out on their own. From what she tells me, they’re quite the duo always looking for things to bark at and for squirrels to chase. I’m getting a bit old for that kind of shenanigans so I guess it’s a good thing I don’t walk with them.

Mr. Brown…our newest (and youngest) addition, Mr. Brown is a character with big ears! I’ve had to school him a few times because, well, he’s a puppy, and he needs to learn the ways of the dog world. I’ve taken it upon myself to teach him those things like not sniffing body parts unless invited and not pawing other dogs’ heads. It may seem trivial to you, but it’s vital that Mr. Brown learn these things or he good get himself in trouble.

Greta and Rocco…they are so new I don’t have a picture of them yet, but when I do, I’ll be sure to post it. They are as different as night and day: Greta a harlequin Great Dane

and Rocco an elderly yellow lab — but they are as close as close can be. Greta recently had knee surgery so she’s been confined to the house with just short outings to the front yard. Rocco, given his age and his arthritic body, gets short walks too, but both of them love it when we show up!

I think that’s it for now. Whew. Lots of changes. But we’re happy to have both the old and then new in our lives!

And yes, tail between my legs, I will try to write more blogs in the coming weeks!

Happy Autumnal Equinox everyone!

Rubin