Walking. With Free Bird.

Posted on by Live & Learn

4:00 am. Friday morning. I’ve been watching the clock since 1:30 a.m, drifting in and out of light sleep.

“Racing thoughts. Reduced need for sleep. Exaggerated sense of self. Irritability…Obsessive rumination.” — Cory Richards

Wally, has been restless all night too, probably for biological reasons I’m sure. He refused to go outside before bed – it was drizzling. Our Wally, loves water, hates rain. Go Figure. He loves splashing in baby pools, clomping along shorelines and muck, and best of all, puddles. I watch him veer right and left on the park path, splashing through puddles from the overnight rains. Think toddler with big rubber boots.

And here we are, 1,557 consecutive (almost) days in a row on this daybreak walk at Cove Island Park. Like in a row.

Susan and Eric left on a road trip for Grandma’s birthday. Wally watched me leave for the park that same morning looking terrified: Not going to be left Home Alone again. No sir.

I had no (zero, none) plans to take him with me. The usual logistics’ complications would be multiplied with puppy, leash, poo bags, doggy cookies, water bottles, more doggie cookies, backpack, cameras, tripod, smartphones (plural), and a fanny pack (manly-version, of course).

So, I packed the car, promising myself I would not look at him as he sat in the window sill watching me. No, I would not look at those big, sad brown eyes, which roll me every time. I want a new car Dad. Okay, Wally, yours.

I walked back into the house to grab my tripod, and he jumped down off the couch and tracks me. I could feel him, feet tap-tap-tapping on the hardwood floors.

Don’t look. Don’t you dare look at him. Don’t do it.

I did. I couldn’t help myself.

Dad, you aren’t really going to leave me all alone at Home in the dark by myself are you?

So, off we went. You’re going to regret this, you will.

And we walked. And walked. And walked. (Waiting for the time lapse video to finish up.)

It took him a bit of getting used to these walks with Dad. With Mom, it’s on leash all-the-time — park rules, you know, and it keeps him safe.

Yet, no songbird can be kept captive in a cage, and so with Wally, free the bird. Wally was let free to roam, sniffing every square inch of the park. Running through puddles. Walking up and down rock cliffs. Chewing on sticks. Flushing out a flock of Canada Geese. Chasing gulls down the shore line.

The time-lapse finished up (here). Wally’s belly, all wet and sandy, was rubbed down with a large, dry beach towel, with Wally playing tug-o-war with the towel.

We got home and Wally was gassed, he slept for 3 hours, doggy-dreaming — I’m running around Cove Island Park with Dad, Dad’s pockets always full of special treats, and while I love mom, she’s so stingy with the treats – and she never lets me off-leash — and yes, I miss Mom, but it wouldn’t be all bad if Mom enjoyed herself on vacation a few weeks longer so Dad and I can play together and take long walks at the park.“

I watch him sleep, so at peace.

Regrets? Nope, zero regrets. None. In fact, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, thinking: I’m going to remember this.

“We were running up the slope of a hill, that dog…That dog and I were running, the two of us apart and yet together, and even now, in the solitude of a quiet hour—the days and that dog long gone—I can follow those far-blown traces of unexpected joy and find my way back again: heart wild, lungs filling with the breath of winter, and that dog beside me running headlong into the world without end.” ~ Peter Everwine

29 thoughts on “Walking. With Free Bird.”

  1. Awww, Wally, so happy that Dad decided to see the light and allow you to tag along. Those boy bonding trips are special time. Trust me, your dad will remember them with a smile for years to come. ❤️

  2. Awwwww. He does have a beating heart****. Having witnessed Wally & Daddy in real time, I can fully support Wally’s decision to lay the guilt on thick. Happiest I’ve seen you at the beach DK! Enjoy this alone time with the Boss (Wally) bc Mom will be home soon and you will be replaced faster than an Optimum modem.

  3. thanks, wally for not giving up on dad. it sounds like he likes water in situations where he can be in control of it and not when he can’t, like a big pool, dropped into the ocean, or rain coming down on him. he is the cutest and your pictures are treasures. I’m sure you were both exhausted, each in your own way, after this wonderful trip. now you remember what it is like to travel or do anything with a baby in tow, and you both learned something on this trip. you are kind of like the john candy character in uncle buck, when mom leaves dad in charge of the kids. good for all of you. and everyone is still alive.

  4. WALLY! GREAT to see you on the blog man! Dad keeps hiding you on places I rarely go like Facebook and Instagram.

    I did the Facebook thing in the early years, but then slowly discovered the law of physics called: “Facebook Time Suck!” Now I only logon once or twice a month so that I can feel guilty about the birthdays I have missed :-).

    DAD! Take Wally to the Cove every chance you get! Set up a “Wally duffel bag” in your car and leave it there to make it less complicated.

    iPhones do not love you. DSLR cameras do not love you. (Though both are totally awesome tech toys. I’m totally into those. (Wish I could quit… Maybe one day)).

    WALLY GIVES YOU PRICELESS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. HE’S LIKE THE PERFECT COVE, BUDDY! TAKE WALLY WITH YOU EVERY CHANCE YOU GET! (Don’t tell Susan if you spoil him!)

    #GO TEAM WALLY

  5. I KNEW it. You couldn’t leave him behind. LOL. I’ve missed hearing about Wally. Good to know he’s normal about loving the water and hating the rain. Emma is the same. Or … maybe we have the only two crazy dogs on the planet.

    Anyway, nice post, DK.

  7. ‘Unexpected joy’ – the best kind…Wally’s been bringing it since day 1…and he’s got you wrapped around his paw. This is truly puppy love (not the preteen mooniness) and it’s reciprocal. Love this

  9. Love this post and the photo of Wally on the hill in the distance…staring out at…? I laughed outloud but what a precious photo…as impressive as the timelapse was, [who cares? It’s love that keeps us “together”!] Your reportage indicates that Susan is “Top Dog”…if that’s the case, she doesn’t have to do anything to maintain her power, and what you do is pitiful if you think…. By the way, Wally’s devotion has nothing to do with guilt, simply his desire to be with you!

  10. Thanks for the report on your morning adventure! Any, puppy kisses? Did you lay on the couch for a snooze? and let Wally, fall asleep on your chest? 🙂

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