Every once in a while, I’m reminded that no matter how hard you try and protect your pets, to do what’s best for them, dogs will still be dogs.

Take Sampson. Despite the fact that he’s had a partial CCL tear for 18 months, there are still days where he has that hitch in his giddyap. If he sees a squirrel or a cat on our walks, he can get to jumping and lunging around. That’s when I rein him in.

As much as I want to protect him, and keep him as comfortable as I can, there are days, when he just gets away from me.

Like yesterday. Delilah was at the door to go potty. I was sitting on the couch, trying to determine what I was going to post today.

Suddenly, there was a ruckus at the door, and I distinctly heard the sound of dogs bolting out the door. That’s dogs….like plural. Two dogs. Not just one. Two.

It took a minute for my brain to register, but when it did, I jumped up almost as quickly as they had bolted out the door.

And there, way up in the back of the yard, was Sampson! He went out the door, down the stairs, and up the fence line!

When he got back to the stairs, he looked at me, and I was totally prepared to help him up the steps, but then he gave me that look, and climbed stoically up the steps, then darted into the house and tried to initiate a wrestling session with Delilah!

At first I was ticked at myself for leaving the door open, but he was so proud and happy with himself, that I couldn’t help but share in that with him.

It’s not often that he gets the opportunity to cut loose, so those moments should be treasured.