I’m so pleased that my new book, Baxter Tales, Personally Transformed by a Basset Hound Who Taught Me About Coping with Change, is published on Amazon.
Here’s how a reader described the book:
“BAXTER TALES” will help you:
– Embrace change and uncertainty with grace and confidence
– Cultivate resilience in the face of adversity
– Strengthen your relationships and connections with others
– Find joy and meaning in the small moments of everyday life
Whether you’re a dog lover, a self-help enthusiast, or just someone looking for a little inspiration and guidance, “BAXTER TALES” has something for you. The author’s honest and vulnerable writing style will make you feel like you’re sitting down for coffee with a trusted friend, and Baxter’s adorable antics will leave you smiling and uplifted.
I’m very happy about that description, but I want to discuss something that I learned from Baxter that wasn’t included in his many teaching tales.
I used to think that when Baxter and I went for a walk, it was my walk, and he was just along at my behest. I quickly learned that Baxter had his own pace and if we wanted to have a pleasant time together, I needed to change my expectations.
Now I know that there is the need for quick “business trips” to the side yard as you get ready to leave home or arrive home to fix dinner, for example. I’m talking about the “dog walk” which, as the name implies, is the dog’s walk! Let’s focus on this.
Dogs communicate with their extraordinary sense of smell, which is like reading the newspaper of the neighborhood. Who is back, who is sick, who is new in town, and what intruders have been around, such as those pesky squirrels and bunnies? We don’t read the newspaper or our cell phones spontaneously. (It takes some time to process what we’re reading, right?) Dogs need time to consider what news they’re finding out about. Of course, we often respond to our daily news with a comment or two, or a phone call or text. Dogs respond with a brief urinary (“pee-pee”) comment. My point is–all of this takes time!
Be comfortable on the dog’s walk. Wear comfortable shoes or boots so your feet feel good and are at the proper temperature. If it’s chilly, grab an extra layer so you’re not standing shivering and muttering, “Let’s go; hurry up,” and yanking on the leash. If you warm up, you can unzip, unbutton, or hang that extra layer around your neck or waist.
Consider the comfort of your dog, speaking of outerwear. If a fleece allows Fido to remain dry, warm, or clean underneath, use one. Even in warm weather, in a buggy area, a tee shirt might discourage bug hangers-on to stay in the grass, and away from your good friend.
Lesson: Remember that most of the time a dog walk is the dog’s walk. Make sure both of you are comfortable and enjoy the neighborhood as well as your time together.
