I walked outside to see if it was a good day to take “Tommy” the Dawg out for a drive. It’s been rainy the past month, and I don’t like going for drives in the rain.
So, Tommy hasn’t gone for a ride with me in a while now.
Outside, it was sunny with clear blue skies. The temperature was 41.
“Perfect,” I thought to myself, and I walked to the truck to get the leash.
Tommy, who had been watching all of this, began jumping up and down like a rabbit. —This is his usual behavior when he realizes he is going for a ride.
After getting his harness buckled in, I hopped in, and off we went.
I roll the window down for Tommy. He enjoys sticking his head out the window and feeling the air against his face.
He’s in a harness and buckled in, so jumping out the window isn’t an option for ol’ Tommy.
In the neighborhood and around the mountain, people were out walking their dogs. We saw many along the way.
Whenever a dog was seen, Tommy would look at me to judge my reaction to the animal.
I would simply smile and pet Tommy and make no sudden movements or reactions at all, hoping that Tommy would realize that seeing another dog is no big deal.
Tommy would then look at the dog as we passed by. He didn’t bark once.
Along the way, there were many joggers out.
I saw kids wrestling around in a front yard.
A father was even playing catch with his son.
I drive a great big circle when I take Tommy out for a drive. I usually put about seventeen miles on my truck.
On our way back to the house, I say to Tommy, “Home, we’re going home,” in hopes that he will associate the word “Home” with our house.
We arrived back “Home,” and as I unbuckled Tommy, I could see on his face that he was happier for the ride. Better for it. As if the ride had released some stress.
“Did you like the ride, buddy?” I asked.
“Mmm-mmm.”
“Me too, buddy. Me too.”
