The Comic relief in my Day

My dog's name is Dude.

As the "dude" of the house he gets to lounge for hours at a time preferably on the leather sofa. His leisure is broken by two walks a day. He has trained us that these walks occur about 9 in the morning (except on Sundays) and 6 at night. Deviating from these times means a disappointed Dude and the negative reinforcement that follows is messy at best. Today I delayed our walk by an hour to visit with friends and returned home to find that luckily there was not too much negative reinforcement.

I opened the door. He sat staring at me somberly. Slowly he started to shake - little tremors down his back and legs until he no longer was able to contain himself. He leapt. First in circles in front of me and then at and around me. Next he looked for something to grab (today-a child's PE kit) and bolted.

It really was time for Dude's walk. I put on his lead. He sat seemingly patiently at the door until it is opened. I managed him into the car to pick up his friend Bran, his walking mate. We got to Bran's house and through the door I see this small black and white terrier leaping 3 times his height up the door frame to the window. He has heard the my car pull up.

After coaxing Bran into his halter and lead he trotted out to the car and in through the passenger door. Dude leapt upon him desperately searching for Bran's lead which he grabbed to haul him around the back of my mini van. Bran snarled a greeting and a quick nip on Dudes ear said, "Get off the lead!". In the meantime I raced back to the drivers seat to start the car moving before the inevitable.

Dude barked.

He barked and barked and barked at Bran as if to say this is the best thing in world. I rolled up all the windows as we drove past neighbor's who stared at the mysterious Barking Car. He continued to bark loudly and enthusiastically unable to contain his excitement. Bran occasionally gave a high yip but generally ignored Dude as an embarrassment.

A mile later (seemed like more) we arrived at our dog walking hot spot. This is the place for dog walkers who need to contain their animals who may not come when called. It is usually devoid of joggers, bike riders and small children. The occasional fox and squirrel that cannot be caught frequent the field. It is perfect. I opened the car door. Dude stopped barking and searched for any lost balls in the car. Bran began a litany of piercing yips leveled at the ball thrower which holds the BALL--that prized possession which Dude and Bran secretly know has a life of its own.
Bran continued to Yip in high excitement anticipating or demanding the ball's release. Dude however would not leave the car until a nonexistent ball could be found beneath the seats. Yip, Yip,Yip, Yip,Yip...After a few moments he decided the ball in the thrower is a good substitute for the one he cannot find and exited the car.

Finally the Ball was released and so were the hounds. A typical walk with the dogs.