Here's how it goes ...
Get up about 6am and slip into some comfortable walking clothes and shoes, all under the watchful eye of a very excited fur baby.
Attach a lead to that fur baby and open the front door ready to head out on a morning adventure. Provided there is no torrential rain my four-legged shadow will pick up the pace, almost pulling my outstretched arm out of its socket, with excitement about the trek ahead.
The next 30- 45 minutes are spent peeing on just about everything (the pooch, not me), greeting other dogs and humans along the walk, and occasionally looking back to make sure I am still behind. Of course I am, I'm holding the lead, but he still has to check.
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I never know where I am going. He is my tour guide and he knows his way around. We always make it home safely. And that leads to the next part of the routine. He happily walks through the front door and sits, with what I am convinced is a smile on his face. He waits for me to give him some treats. A few liver snaps and some jerky-style offerings usually do the trick.
Most days my fur baby suddenly becomes sad - almost as soon a he finishes his treats. He knows his human will soon head off to work, leaving him home alone.
That used to be the start of my daily routine. But things have changed since the announcement of a global COVID-19 pandemic, and a change of work routine with me now working from home. I'm okay with that because it is a proactive move supporting social distancing. My four-legged best friend on the other hand ... well, he's ecstatic.
He is constantly smiling. He is getting extra walks each day, so why wouldn't he be happy. In the past I would stroll around town to stretch my legs during the day, now I'm doing a lap of the neighbourhood for fresh air and exercise. He joins me on the journey. That is always followed by more treats - it's lucky he is getting extra exercise. Ultimately this results in one exhausted, and well-fed pooch.
He happily spends the rest of the day sitting at my feet while I work, or heads off to one of his many beds for a peaceful snooze. That sense of anxiety I often felt he displayed when I headed off to the office has suddenly disappeared. If any living, breathing creature is embracing the current circumstances I would have to say my pooch is one. How are your pets coping?
