Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group

Hi @cindyjk. Your Mow's heritage sounds very interesting. I have always had dogs, mostly rescues. I miss them so much, now that I live in a no-pets-allowed seniors' residence. One of my faves was a purebred rough coat collie who I, of course, named Lassie. lol. She found me at the Calgary SPCA, 5 years old, terribly abused, thin, sparse fur. She came First in their obedience training with me and grew to be the most gorgeous of canines. Sweet, gentle, loyal. We rescued St. Bernards, mutts, poodles. Maybe my very favorite was a Heinz 57 named Emily Carr. She was always with me at my studio or out in the wilderness, painting. If I started to sing Willie Nelson's On The Road Again, she would go crazy with excitement, knowing we were heading out. My last dog was a 12 lb. Yorkie cross, Spike, who was with me for 15 years. My constant companion when out on my plein air painting excursions. Gotta go before I lose all this typing. Lol

@cindyjk MOW sounds like a handsome chap! The moment of weakness is so understandable! Puppies...resistance is futile! Love his Happiness Gauge!! Give him an extra belly rub on his Bday Friday for me. I could use a good fur fix. My husband and I would love a another dog. The house is so empty. First time really in 47 years without one underfoot. With my ‘out of the blue’ health situation 2 years ago having a pooch would have been very complicated as we had to live in another city for 5 months while I underwent treatment. So now, that things have settled, maybe?? But my heart melted the other day when our young neighbor, home from college due to Covid, has gotten a new Golden puppy. We run into him and his pup frequently on walks so there’s always the chance to scratch behind the ears and give a hug. Of course I do that to the dog too!! LOL. Kidding!!!

Good idea to type my verbose texts in Note or something, Lori. Sounds too techie for my tech-challenged brain, and besides I love to live dangerously!

Yes, I sure do miss painting. Hope to get back to it. Worked in oil, acrylic, watercolor, prints, sculpture, - my sister called me The Creative Monster! Loved it all so very much. Once GCA hit 1 1/2 years ago, I've been incapacitated since, but slowly regaining my Life. So glad you discovered watercolor. It's a wonderful medium.

Careful about hearing those banjos! It may be a precursor of something ominous, like The Ultimate Joy of Walking! lol
Love your posts, Lori. Best, Laurie

Hope there might be a dog in your future! My middle son and his wife have a one year old, extra beautiful, boisterous for now, Golden named Brody. They always post funny pictures of Brody doing human activities - sitting at the bar (kitchen counter) with a drink, dancing to music (video) in a standing position as he towers over Sharon, contemplating life as he sits at a desk, etc. Always accompanied by appropriate funny captions. I haven't been able to see Brody since he was a young pup, due to Covid/visiting restrictions.

@artist01. Oh, I hope so too, Laurie. Our last boy, Riley was a rescue at 11 months. He brought immense joy. Goldens are the jesters of the doggie world. Our previous golden, Bill had passed so we’d been without a dog for a year? I was in a pet store getting parrot food when I walked past a woman with this adorable young golden leaning against her leg while her 2 children were at a kiosk having a name tag made for the pup. I oohed and ahhed over this dog appropriately but then asked if I could pet ‘your dog’. The woman replied, “Yes, he loves pets, but he’s not our dog. We need to find him a home.” Long story ensued of his rescue by her husband from a sad situation. Anyway, I chatted with her for about 45 minutes, falling more deeply every moment for those brown eyes!! I finally told her that I’m fairly certain that my husband and I would love to adopt Riley. He’d been through so much she was insistent that we meet with her husband for an interview, etc... So I went home to tell my husband, “I think I found the perfect addition to our family. His name is Riley and he’s 11 months old.” Without skipping a beat, my husband asked, “Two or four legs?” LOL. He was with us 13 years. I hope you get to see your kids AND Brody soon. He sounds like he found a perfect family. How fun!!!

Oh, Lori, your story of finding Riley gave me a lump in my throat and almost tears in my eyes. ((I have trouble crying - always on the verge!) And yes, seeing grown-up beautiful Brody and my kids again will be a momentus occasion. The tears might flow on that day!
Oh, and I'm hoping to learn the copy and paste thing!
Laurie

Lori, yes our furry babies bring joy. Our dear Simon will be 13 in August. He was a rescue dog and was three when we brought him home. I don't know who did not want this sweet, loving dog. He is a cross between basenji and fox terrier. He is going through a rough patch now and so are we. He has a heart murmur and next week has to go in for teeth cleaning. We are very worried about that procedure. He also has cataracts and has no vision in his right eye and only 40% in his left eye. We will care for him no matter what happens. We will always be here for him. He loves warm sunny days, but not this bitter cold and snow. Our forecast calls for more snow and frigid temperatures. Simon's walks are brief. @joybringer1

@joybringer1. Your little Simon sounds like a sweetheart. He’s a very lucky boy to have found such a wonderful forever home allowing him to age with dignity and love. A Basenji isn’t a common breed and blended with a fox terror I bet he’s adorable and scary smart! 😉 He sounds like a little trouper though so I’m sure he’ll do fine with his cleaning procedure. The vet will closely monitor him while he’s under and they’ll use the minimal amount of sedative for him. I’m sorry he’s going through a rough patch. It really does affect everyone in the family. Does it bother him to go to the vet in general? Our daughter’s dog hates it even though he’s never had a bad time there! And he just knows when they’re going! LOL. For all he knows when he’s getting in the car, he could be going to the dog park or coming to visit us! But he knows when it’s the V E T. They are silly but such endearing characters. Wishing Simon and YOU all the best next week on his visit to the vet.

Good luck to dear-sounding Simon..think he'll do fine. Is this your only dog? ASnd what an unusual mix. Did you set out to get that particular type of dog? I had a Lhasa apso-Shiut-tsu(can't spell it to this day) for about 3 years; he was !~ 3 years old & could be ornery @ times but also loveable most of thje time. I wish youi luck w/ his procedure. Kathy

@artist01, @cindyjk, @joybringer1, @katiejo59 Let’s leash our dogs and head on over to our pet discussion group! Other community members can join us over there and we’ll keep this group for walking and exercise! Though I know our dogs are often our personal trainers. See you on the doggy park bench! ☺️ Lori. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-pets-can-do-health-and-healing/