It’s a small world.
I was chatting with my friend Sue one day and she said, “I feel bad for Sampson, his world has gotten so small.”
And she was right. He went from a two 1/2 hour walks (at a minimum) per day, down to two 8 minute walks.
Because his walks are timed, it’s hard to give him a little variety. I mean there are only so many places you can walk to in our neighborhood in four minutes. (I time it for 4 and then turn around, which makes our walks usually between 8 to 10 minutes.) I do try to vary it by making our morning walk down hill and our afternoon walk uphill, but even still, our routes are very limited.
The afternoon walk is where I feel the worst. We are heading towards the woods, and Sampson SO loves the woods. Typically, I’ll turn off before we reach the cul-de-sac BECAUSE four minutes will just about take us to the edge of the park. And that right there seems to be so cruel to me. To bring him to the edge and not let him go inside.
That doesn’t stop him from looking longingly at the woods though, as we make that right hand turn.
I told Sue when Sampson had a healed up some, I’d load him in the car and drive him to the park. I would still time the walk 4 to 5 minutes in and then turn around, but at least he’d get up to the woods.
Last week I thought the time was right, so I loaded the big guy up and off to the park we went.
He doesn’t look thrilled in this photo, but trust me, he really was happy to be at the park. We walked up the main path and made it as far as the field. As his leg gets better and better, we’ll be able to increase our walk times and he’ll get more days at the park.
Sunrise/Sunset
I’m super blessed to be walking my dogs right about the time the sun is rising in the mornings. There is something so special about watching the changing of the guard, as night turns to day.
Some days the colors are so vibrant, I can’t help but try and capture it.
While I love standing outside and watching the sun set, I don’t usually get to capture it on a walk. Last Saturday however, was my grandson’s birthday, and I ended up having a late walk. Delilah and I were treated to this lovely display.
I wonder if someone caught a sunset when they were naming the streets? Do you have a preference? Sunrise or sunset?
Welcome to Thursday’s Barks and Bytes Blog hop hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like a Dog. We hope you will grab a badge from one of our websites and join us.
Cupcake says
Mom had that idea in her head for Sampson – to drive him somewhere and THEN do the 8 minute walk for a change of scenery. Your brain told you the same thing as hers…. We both like sunrise. We hate the dark and hate being in the dark and hate the night. Sunrise makes us happy because then it’ll be day.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Emma says
We’re definite sunrise folks here at home. On a vacation, or back in Germany at the beach, sunset was good too. Mom takes Katie in the car for to different places now and then for variety. She can’t go as far either, but much more than 8. Katie really loves the change of scenery. Speaking of Katie, the vet trip wasn’t good yesterday, she is going to a cardiologist today as she has an irregular heartbeat now, AFib. It should be able to be controlled with medication. We hope to post about it all next week when we know more.
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom says
I love both sunrise and sunset – they are both beautiful. And I love looking up during our bedtime walk through the yard and seeing all the stars in the deep-navy-blue sky. Even the clouds are pretty at that time of night.
Beth says
I’m totally a sunset person. No matter how hard I’ve tried, I cannot make myself a morning person–especially if it means dragging myself out of bed before the sun is even up to be able to catch that sunrise. We love to time our evening walks so that we see the sunset over the lake or the train tracks, though. I admire you for being able to get out of the door in time to see the morning colors!
Jan K says
I’m so glad for Sampson that you’ve been able to expand his world a little bit!
We see beautiful sunsets from our house and that is one of the things I will miss about it. However, we’ve never been able to see sunrise from here and I think we will see those at the new house, so that’s something to look forward to. Sunrise is definitely my favorite and I hope to be inspired by the new house to get my lazy butt out of bed and enjoy them more!
Mary says
Poor guy, that’s how I feel with Torrey. All the things she loves to do, she can’t right now. I’m hoping the vet gives me good news though.
Sue says
Love those sunrise and sunset photos. My preference is sunrise. I’m an early riser and when Jeffie was a little puppy, he and I would go outside (for him to pee right away) and sit on the back porch steps and watch the sun rise together. Sweet memories.
I’ve been wondering… so, so glad to see Sampson has gotten to go to the park! Hmm…wonder which he would choose: a walk in the park or that steak? 😉
Monika & Sam says
Early morning light is magical and hopefully that magic will work wonders on Sampson’s injury and he’ll be able to expand his world soon. Sunrise casts such a beautiful light on trees, flowers, grass and sky. I personally LOVE early mornings and look forward to them warming up soon so as to relish all that gorgeous light but love the ‘rainbow’ view with the street sign. Yeah, I’m wishy-washy when it comes to light. 😉
Dachshund Nola says
Glad he got to have a change of scenery! I’m definitely more of a sunset type of girl – not only do I despise getting up at sunrise, I find sunset lighting to be so much more intense and vivid.
lauranne says
I so feel your pain about the short walks, since dad lot the car I can’t get him out anywhere interesting and I feel really bad for him. Glad you managed to get him to the woods eventually! And you are right about the morning walks, as much as i hated walking BD alone in the dark I also kinda miss it now
Misty Shores Chesapeakes says
I don’t have a preference as I love both sunrise and sunset. There is something magical about a new day beginning and then that day quietly drifting away! Both have a beauty all their own.
I am so glad Sampson got to walk in his woods. He looks wonderful!!
Julie says
This reminds me of my Daisy. She hurt her back in her later years and the doctor said no walking or running and it was something we did every.single.day. But she had medicine and rested and one day we were sitting on the porch and she looked so depressed. Like it was no life for her without going on the trail. So I put her in the car and drove to the trail. It was only 1 mile and I drove so slow and the minute we got out she was SO happy. There was this farmer there and he said she looks like she is smiling!! Oh my goodness, I remember that day like it was yesterday. I have posted one of the pictures I took that day and she was smiling and so happy!! You are a good puppy Mommy!!
jan says
Sampson is so lucky to have someone who worries and takes such good care of him and takes him to see the day change to night and the other way around. It is too bad that dogs have such a limited range of color though. Healing thoughts for his continued healing.
Sand Spring Chesapeakes says
Awe what a nice day.
2 Brown Dawgs says
I am glad Sampson is better and getting to a few new places.