Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

First measured mile

24 Comments

Well hello everybody, it’s me, Penny!

Want to come with me on a walk?

Mom says I talk too much. You should hear me talk when she’s emptying the dishwasher or opening the tinfoil drawer! But I just had to tell you about mom making me march walk down a park path for a whole mile!

This was the beginning of my 1 mile walk!

OK, maybe she chose the time and day to go to the park because she figured not many other people with dogs would be out there. We have a lot of Canadian wildfire smoke right now and mostly people are staying inside.

Ok, let’s get this party started!

We have been staying in too, but when you stay inside too long certain doggies get slightly insane impatient. At least that’s what mom says.

Look mom, I found you some flowers!

I have no idea who she is referring to.

Mom says it’s important to look both ways before you cross the road.

Mom was going to take me to a different park, but it was further away and I started complaining as soon as we were in the car. Mom and dad took me to the vet this week and I was certain she was taking me back there, so I told her I was not happy.

Ok, I’ll sit pretty mom, but don’t expect me to do it again!

She decided we’d go somewhere closer and prove to me that not all car rides end in a vet visit.

Mom’s artsy-fartsy image from this walk. Boring, mom.

This was was my very first time walking on a bike path! Good thing hardly anybody was around cause I did not stay on my side of the path. At all. But I had fun.

I am NOT sitting on this bench, mom!

We only went to the half mile mark and then turned around. Mom didn’t want to overdo, she’s old you know. Plus it was warm and smoggy.

I’m not sitting at the turn around mark either, mom!

On the way back I decided it would be fun to play with the leash and leap around a lot and generally get in trouble.

I don’t know why mom doesn’t think this is a fun game.

Cause I’m a puppy, and that’s what puppies do. So I’m told anyway.

I got all tangled up in my leash. We took a break in the shade.

We had fun, mom got some pictures and I got to see some things I’ve never seen before. The teacher in my puppy class says it’s mom and dad’s responsibility to introduce me to 3 new things a week.

There were great chewing sticks under the bench!

Let’s see. I saw a lawnmower, a guy on bike, and a bench! Not to mention the crosswalk and a lady driving a golf cart. I think mom’s homework this week is done!

What the heck is that thing, mom?

I hope next week’s homework assignment includes more wonderful treats experiences!

Not sitting near these yellow flowers either, mom!

I’m going to help mom plan more trips. I think I like checking out new places.

Well OK, if I get to eat some I’ll sit here.

But since I’m just a little puppy, I need ideas. Where do you think we should go this year?

One more artsy-fartsy image. Sigh.

I’ll get mom to make a list. I’d do it myself, but she doesn’t let me on the laptop very often. Something about getting dog hair in the keyboard.

Mom! You take so LONG to do EVERYTHING!

Whatever mom.

Author: dawnkinster

I'm a long time banker having worked in banks since the age of 17. I took a break when I turned 50 and went back to school. I graduated right when the economy took a turn for the worst and after a year of library work found myself unemployed. I was lucky that my previous bank employer wanted me back. So here I am again, a long time banker. Change is hard.

24 thoughts on “First measured mile

  1. oh my Penny you are too ADORABLE!!! One weekend, tell Mom if she isn’t busy we should try and get together so you can meet your “brother from another mother”, Levi!!!! What an exciting and FUN walk you had, even if you DID get in a little trouble!!

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    • We should try to see where we can meet for a walk. We don’t have a fenced yard or I’d say come here and we could let them run, but we can’t do that here. So maybe there’s a place in between where they can at least walk. When it’s cool out, she’s not that good in heavy heat.

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      • I like that idea! We DO have a fenced in dog park at our complex…..often there are no dogs there (just Levi, that’s an option too)…….we also have Drake Park on Drake Rd in West Bloomfield….they have a walking trail……(it’s not AS nice as your park but it’s nice!) Levi doesn’t like warm weather AT ALL, so yes……let’s count on trying to figure something out when it’s a bit cooler!

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        • Sounds like a plan, especially the fenced in play area.

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        • It isn’t huge……….I may do some searching and see if I can find someplace fenced in. I know West Bloomfield has a dog park but you have to jump though major hoops to use it and it isn’t free. I will try and search. Drake Park and our dog park at Hunter’s Ridge might have to be the plan, but we will see!

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  2. I just love your posts, Dawn. As with Katie, I feel like I know Penny well. It’s that good writing and wonderful photography skills that do it!

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  3. Oh that side eye while sniffing (eating) the flowers!! Good job on the 3 things mom!

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  4. A whole mile! Way to go, Penny! In no time, you’ll have your mom trained to go even further.
    Glad you got to see not all car rides are the same.
    Beautiful pics – even the artsy-fartsy ones (we 2-leggeds) are into that stuff .

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  5. What a great adventure, Pretty Penny! I’m glad your mom and dad are working on those three new things in a week. It’s important for us parents to keep you pups learning. My Monkey has a terrible habit of doing zoomies on his leash. He gets over-stimulated and excited by all the things he’s experiencing, and he just can’t help himself. I’m working with him — promising him he can zoom to his heart’s content AFTER his walk — but it’s a challenge. And he’s two-and-a-half already. Sigh.

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  6. Penny, it’s true, humans can be so slow and tedious and just not understand at all what’s really important. And yet, they love you. And your mom does take you out for walks (and car rides). And I bet your dad is great too, at some things, maybe like food and comfort time. They just need time to figure out what life is about. You are one smart Penny and will teach them what they need to know. You’re smart!

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    • She’s too smart some days! She’s getting more comfortable going out to look for adventure, though she’s still quite unsure when we first get there. As I would be if I was a young one going somewhere I’d never been before

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  7. What a fun day Penny! Your post made me giggle a lot, because I remember those puppy days. You are a sheltie for sure! And I think I remember a certain someone who got excited over tinfoil….not naming any names though.

    Your coat is coming in beautifully! I would love to give you a cuddle – a quick one, because I know you have better things to do than cuddle.

    And just so you know, I was on a bike path on Martha’s vineyard last week, and most humans did not stay on their side of the path either! You were probably more behaved, and you don’t wear ear buds 😂

    Maybe next time your mom could bring you to a pet friendly store or an outdoor ice cream stand. I hear the starbucks drive thru is pet friendly and they have puppacinos.

    Wherever you go next, I’m here for it!

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    • Oh, excellent ideas! And you are welcome to come cuddle Penny any time. She’s more cuddly in the mornings when she’s still a little sleepy, before the day winds her up!

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  8. She’s lovely! Glad you guys had fun together but sorry about the fires.

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  9. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : the wide, blue yonder | Still Restlessjo

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