Sophie and I are serious creatures, aware we’re a couple small blips in the big world. That doesn’t mean we don’t react—to bullies and threats—real or imagined.
We’re also obstinate where we believe we’re right. On walks, only one of us gets to be right. We have our stand-offs. Some days she wants to go one way, and I want the other. Or I come to the end of the leash, only to find her stopped in her tracks staring at me until I return to her side, then she proceeds again nicely. I wish I knew what she’s thinking.
Speaking of obstinacy, I remember the morning Mom tried to put me in a dress for pre-school and I said, “no.” Even then, when Mom asked, I couldn’t tell her why. My best guess is she had told me I was getting too big for it, and I had crossed it off my list of possible clothes. Beware what you say to your kids!
Anyway, back to the previous blog’s discussion of harnesses. Sophie did not like her second harness any better than the first. So we took her shopping—again—and paid twice as much for harness number three.
This one goes on her for the morning walk and comes off after her evening outing. It seems to be a keeper. She might still play hard-to-get but if she wants to walk, she’ll lower her head to help me put it on.
Just like my preschool dress, Sophie can’t explain to us what was wrong with the other two. So long as she willingly wears this latest one, we’re all happy.
Kate Harrington 