One of the things I love best about my dogs, is their chameleon-like qualities. When I’m tired and don’t want to do too much, they are pretty happy to take a quick walk, and then cuddle up around the fire, or a good snuggle in the bed.

But when I say, “Hey Delilah, we’re near our old stomping grounds, and it’s raining, but will you walk with me anyway?”

And she practically runs the path, pulling me along through the pouring rain, then jumps in the car, both of us soaking wet.

That makes me smile.

You make me smile (or laugh), the sweet, funny, loving things my dogs do, that brings a smile to my face, or a laugh to my lips.

You make me smile, the sweet, funny, loving things my dogs do on a daily basis, that brings a smile to my face, and a laugh to my lips.

Most of you know, our walks are usually adventurous. If it’s not loose dogs confronting us, it’s been Delilah running off on me.

After the time she ran off and got her leash stuck under someone’s central air conditioning unit, I stopped letting her off-leash at our park.

We went back to basics. She was always on leash, she was rewarded for every little thing on our walks.

We stuck with it for years. I can’t tell you how many, because I can’t locate that post from the last time, but I’m certain it’s been at least four to five years.

Finally, I feel like she gets it.  I’ve been testing her lately. Ever so carefully and in areas where I feel pretty confident that she won’t run off.

Specifically, I’ve experimented with this in the woods, and I’ve been very pleased with the results.

Just checking in….

She checks back in with me very frequently, and often times, she walks beside me all the way.

THAT makes me smile.