These Dogs
These dogs are making me crazy. Well, that's not really true. You know how sometimes, when you're sitting alone with your pets feeling pensive, how you suddenly are overtaken by this sensation that they are completely alien? These greyhounds are completely different animals from me and yet they like me and try hard to communicate with me. I can't explain that feeling so I won't even try; if you've had it you know what I mean.

Today they are very communicative. They want to go on a walk. I wouldn't mind taking them but I know I can't; they get two walks a day and if I spoil them today they'll demand it tomorrow and may retaliate by peeing in the house. It's happened before. So the dogs will have to wait until the usual time, 6:30, for their second walk.

First, Stetson was whining by the glass door. I hate whining dogs; if they're making sounds it better be because they really want something. I let Stetson out, he goes out, turns around to see if I'm following, sees that I'm not, and comes right back in. He didn't really want it. Later, he whines more; I say, "Shut up!" He does. Ten minutes after, Deoji whines by the door. This is unusual because he does only whine when he really wants something. I get up and open the door. He ignores me, turns around, and lays back down on his bed...but Stetson leaps up, goes outside, turns around to see if I'm following, sees that I'm not, and comes right back in.

"That's it guys! Leave me alone! I see what you're up to."

Ten minutes pass. They both enter the office room and stare into my face as I type, trying to ignore them. I give in and hug them both. I get up and go to the bathroom. Both wait right outside the door and ambush me as I exit; they use their long, tall bodies to herd me to the glass door. Finally, we all three of us go outside. But we don't exit the gate...no walk. Terrible, isn't it?

Well, I felt bad for them as they were both so obviously disappointed, so I gave them both treats when we came in again. That has calmed them...for now.