Walking Stanley

~ beetleypete

There used to be a local man walking a small Lurcher. The dog is named Stanley, and he is very friendly. Recently, I saw Stanley with a lady, and it turned out to be the wife of the man I used to see regularly.

She told me the sad news that her husband has been stricken with Alzheimer’s, and will have to live in a care home. She is going to be busy arranging all that, then visiting him when she can.

I offered to help out by taking Stanley for a walk with Ollie when she was unable to take him herself.

Yesterday, we arranged that first walk. Stanley was pleased to see us at the house, but a little reluctant to walk off with us at first. Once we got to the path leading to Beetley Meadows, his tail came up, and he trotted along happily. He is younger than Ollie, with lots more energy, so it felt a little strange for me to be having to keep up with a dog, instead of waiting for one to catch me up.

After completing the usual walk, I headed back in the direction of his house, two streets away. He picked up the pace and pulled on his lead, knowing he was heading home.

Next week, I will take him out again. It is company for Ollie, and helps out the lady.

It is also what living in a small village community is all about.

64 thoughts on “Walking Stanley”

  1. That’s very kind of you, Pete! Ollie also will be pleased, as he now has a companion of his kind. Let’s hear about the beginning of Ollie’s teaching qualities. I am sure this will happen soon, and he will tell the lurcher how to chase anything. 😉 xx Michael

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  4. Too many people stop with “is there anything I can do?” This puts pressure on someone who is already overwhelmed. I love that you knew what you could offer and that it met a genuine need of a neighbor. Here we promised our late neighbor that we would always look after the snow removal for his widow. Going on 9 years my husband does each winter. Our street understands neighborliness too.

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  19. The best thing to do is often the clearest, too. It just takes that moment of asking.. Poor woman, poor Stanley; Alzheimer’s and dementia have many victims. I hope that Pete, Ollie and Stanley have a great time together! Stanley needs you, we all need you. My tail is wagging.

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    1. Thank you, dear Pippa. The lady and I have to work out convenient periods when she will be at home at my usual dog-walking time. It looks like Monday might be suitable for Stanley’s next walk with Ollie.
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  24. Well done. It’s funny how dogs speed up when you turn for home, isn’t it? I don’t think Biscuit likes leaving the house at all. He doesn’t bother if we leave him at home – doesn’t even rush to greet us when we return but if you let him off the lead a few yards from the house he races home. He will walk to heel to the shops but pull all the way back, Niever known a dog like it!

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    1. Ollie rushes to greet me even if I just pop out to move the wheelie bin. He always has. If I am out for more than an hour, it’s as if I have been gone for a week. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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