Every day I take Jake, my Golden Retriever, to the off-leash dog park. He loves this place and has to meet and greet every person and dog in the 40-acre park. Some days the walk is very peaceful. Other days, such as today, are very challenging.
Like when Jake gets caught in brambles and I have to pull the thorny branches off him. My hands are still stinging.
Or when he finds the biggest mud puddle and loves it so much he decides to eat from it. By the time I get to him, my boots are squishing with mud and may never recover.
Or when he runs after a duck and jumps into the smelly river. Fortunately the duck was faster.
By the time I get to the parking lot, Jake is not only wet and muddy, but he has grass stains on his forehead. I’m not sure how he managed that. And he still expects people to pet him. Strangely enough, they do!
So after this 45 minute walk, I’m exhausted and trying to gather the energy to take him to the self-service dog wash across the parking lot. And Jake? He’s wagging his tail like he’s having a grand ol’ time. I swear he’s smiling.
It’s days like these when I think the leash is the best invention ever.
