The Dynamic Duo

Not much going on around here, but I’ve found it’s usually the little things that keep life interesting. I’ve had a few of those, some more fun than others. An interesting thing happened on our bike ride the other day. I have a basket on my bike especially made for a small dog to ride along. It is actually big enough for two small dogs to ride along, though sometimes Murphy tries to convince me otherwise. There are days when he is good as gold, staying put on his own side of the basket, calm and interested in all the sights and smells around him. Other times he whines, wriggles and squirms, until poor Rowdy is squished into the smallest corner.
This particular day had been one of those, but we had made a stop at Grandma Pat’s house and he was much calmer on the ride home. In fact they were both being pretty darn good when I saw a young couple walking towards us walking their medium sized dog. They pointed and smiled at the spectacle we made, and I smiled back, preparing to exchange a pleasantry or two as I rode past. At that moment, to my deep chagrin, Rowdy, (yes, I said Rowdy) leaped out of the bike basket. He was tied in by a short leash attached to his collar. The end result was that he dangled, by his neck, over the side of the basket. The young couple was horrified, and kept apologizing as I finally came to a stop and firmly replaced my errant canine in the basket. I assured them they were not at fault, and hopefully both Murphy and I learned something.
I have long been telling my inmate workers, Randy and Brain about my wonderful dogs, and yesterday, when two friendly officers were on duty, I took the “boys” by the prison to say hello. Officer Gray has poodles of his own, most notably, ‘Buster.’ Most poodles are friendly and sociable. Buster is a one-man poodle. Murphy and Rowdy were a little nervous at first; the surroundings were unfamiliar, as were all of these tattooed men. We finally made it to the store, and I got Randy and Brain to come in. They were enchanted with my little guys. I had brought their jerky treats, and Murphy went through his trick repertoire while Rowdy stared, lunged at the treats and pretended he had never heard the words ‘sit’, ‘shake’ and ‘down’ before in his life. By the time Brain was finished trying to bribe them, half the treat bag was empty. The men really seemed to enjoy holding and interacting with the dogs, and on the whole I think the excursion was a success. Though there was the small matter or Rowdy peeing on the floor of ‘C’ Wing as we were on our way out the back door…
But I’m sure the guys didn’t mind cleaning it up; after all, if you’re going to have dogs around, just as well go for the whole experience, right?

Dog Owner Extraordinaire,

UltraMom