“I Didn’t Recognize You Without Your Dogs!”

It’s leaf-raking time at my house. I love this time of year and actually enjoy raking leaves. Honestly — I kind of consider leaf raking to be a competitive sport. It’s always a bit exciting to see how many bags one can fill each day, although I can’t compete (thankfully!) with my neighbor’s 130 leaf bag total last year!

While out raking today, a lady from our adjoining neighborhood walked by with her two Airedales. She greeted my hello with a quick smile and proceeded down the street. On the way back, she spotted my wheatens in the backyard and called over, “Sorry — but I didn’t recognize you without your dogs!”

After she said it, I thought, “You know — I don’t think I’d recognize MYSELF without my wheatens!” My darling terriers are with me most everywhere — daily walks and hikes, next to my chair when I’m at the computer, struggling to master skills together in obedience classes, or at the hospital on rounds. Dogs really do become an important extension of ourselves. I’m often amazed at the many wonderful people and fun activities I’d have missed — if it weren’t for my dogs!