Ollie’s Sad/Happy walk

~ beetleypete

I took Ollie out earlier today, hoping to take advantage of the sunshine while it lasted. With full darkness by around 4 pm now, it makes sense to be out long before that.

It was a crisp and cold day, with bright sunshine that was uncomfortable to look into. It had also stirred up some insects, and four bites on my head later, I was beginning to regret my decision.

Ollie wasn’t too happy either, as there was nobody else around. With no other dogs to greet and sniff, he had to resort to sniffing anything left behind by the early-morning dogs, those taken out before their owners leave for work. It was sad to see him looking decidedly fed up after almost an hour of us being the only two on the usual route.

He was staring along the path that leads to each of the three entrances, his concentration intent, no doubt hoping to spot a canine pal arriving. But to no avail. As we headed home, he plodded along reluctantly behind me, making me feel extra guilty for leaving home forty-five minutes earlier that usual.

Suddenly, his head shot up, and he started into the distance. I looked in that direction, and could see a dog running for a ball a long way off. Ollie wasn’t waiting for permission, and took off like a rocket. When I finally caught up with him, I saw he was wth our next door neighbour, and her dog Henry. She was accompanied by a friend with a small Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and both dogs were chasing balls as if their lives depended on it.

Although Ollie has no interest in the balls, he ran alongside each dog as they chased them, and kept that up for at least fifteen minutes. Then a lady arrived with a large white Retriever that Ollie loves, and he scooted off to see that big dog, yelping with delight.

I felt vindicated. His sad walk had turned into a happy one, and he got some great exercise into the bargain.

53 thoughts on “Ollie’s Sad/Happy walk”

  1. Pingback: Ollie’s Sad/Happy walk | THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON...

  2. Whata great change of the situation!;-) You never need to be sad for long. Surprisingling some wonder will happen. :-)) Thank you for this wonderful real life story, Pete! Once can see, canines also do not love social distancing. Michael

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  22. (1) I thought you were going to write: “With no other dogs to greet and sniff, he had to resort to sniffing the insects.”
    (2) Henry was reincarnated as a dog? Maybe he should have sold the homestead after all.
    (3) Karma’s a bitch. She’s such a sweet-natured dog!

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