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.
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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Dogs have no concept of social distancing, Michael. They like to get up close for sniffing. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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-)
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I always love these stories of you and your dog Ollie 🙂 He is such a loyal dog 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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He certainly is. He is sleeping next to my chair as I am typing this.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am sorry that you were bitten.
But nice for Ollie that other dogs came and that he was so happy.
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It was Irene. A complete joy to see him running around with other dogs. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete..
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❤ this story!
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Thanks, Lara. It was so nice to see Ollie’s ‘old self’, as he rushed along with the two younger dogs. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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All’s well that ends well, good for Ollie 🙂
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It was great to see him really running again. 🙂
Cheers, Pete.
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I am glad to know the day ended well, Pete.
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It was so nice to see Ollie having fun, Robbie. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete
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All’s well that ends well. I’m glad for Ollie!
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So was I. He had some good fun for a change.
Best wishes, Pete.
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🙂
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All’s well that ends well shame about the bites though…
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Thanks, Carol. These late November gnat bites are a real nuisance! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I can imagine especially if you have an adverse reaction like you seem too 🙂 x
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The itching is annoying, but the big lumpy swellings hang around for days after, and get on my nerves!
Best wishes, Pete.
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My son is the same they just seem to home in on him.. He feels the same as you, Pete. 😊x
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Ollie must be missing his pals….haha!
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He misses them terribly in winter. So many dog walkers get lazy in bad weather, Arlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Nice one for Ollie. Not so nice for you… 😁 but we all have those days…
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As long as he had fun, I don’t mind. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Bug bites in November but Ollie had a great time. I guess you two were one for two in terms of a good walk.
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If he enjoyed himself, I will settle for scratching a few bites, Elizabeth. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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happy for Ollie! such a happy ending 🙂 🙂
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It really was. Thank you, Wilma.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’m so glad it worked out in the end.
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I love it when he gets so excited with other dogs. It feels right, and as it should be. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ah, glad to hear Ollie had some belated fun!
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It was a joy to watch, Sue. It really was. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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😊😊😊
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I love this Pete! I could just see Ollie perk up and come to life! And it sounds like it cheered you up too! 🙂
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I love to see him having a good time with other dogs. It makes the boring daily walks worthwhile for both of us. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Glad it ended well. I can’t imagine full darkest at 4pm.
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The shortest day is December the 21st. It is usually dark just after 3 pm that day. One of the many reasons why I don’t like an English winter. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ollie will make his own fun……like MoMo…..she can amuse herself…..chuq
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He lights up when he sees doggy friends, chuq. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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All well for Ollie in the end!
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Yes indeed. He was happy, so that made me happy too. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Dot is the same. She loves to meet up with her doggie friends on her walks and when she doesn’t she is so disappointed. I’m glad Ollie got to play.
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Thanks, Darlene. They never lose that ‘pack mentality’. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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A reflection of daily life, boring punctuated with joy (among other things). Warmest regards, Theo
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Yes, he had more fun today than I did. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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(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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Nice crossover from my serial, david. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s terrific – it sounds like Ollie will get a very good night’s sleep tonight!
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I fed him when we got back, and he has been fast asleep since. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s amazing that there are still insects around. You’d think it’d be too cold for them
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I had hoped so, but I got ‘captured’ in the woods before I spotted the cloud of midges. Four large lumpy bites, and very itchy!
Best wishes, Pete.
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