Our neighbor was out when I went on my afternoon walk and we chatted as Zeus, his lovely elderly dog, sniffed around the fields and roamed within calling distance.
After a few minutes I said goodbye and set off on my 4 mile trek and along came the dog completely ignoring his owner’s calls,
“It’s dinner time, old man, come along inside now…”
Dinner time or not Zeus had other plans.
I ignored him, he was old enough to know his own mind and I thought he would eventually turn around and obey the grumblings of his tummy.
But I was obviously a more interesting draw than his food bowl for he came on the whole hike with me.
About half way it became quite clear than this was not the young dog Charlie or Titan are…
I had to stop several times to wait for him,
When he drew alongside he sat down leaning into my legs and let me rub his head and stroke his back,
“You’re such a good boy…yes you are!” I crooned to him.
When I sensed he was ready to lie down I started walking again…
I wasn’t sure he’d be able to get his old bones up once he was stretched out on the tarmac and I wasn’t going to take any chances,
He was way too heavy to carry!
Each time I turned round to check on his progress I could see his hips were giving him trouble but dogs will be dogs and he carried on regardless seemingly without choice.
I was impressed by his doggedness.
I was a stranger and he was trusting me on unfamiliar territory!
Finally I sat down on the gravel of a friend’s driveway and watched him awkwardly make his way to my side.
He plonked himself next to me, his nose nestled in my hair, and I felt his collar for a tag so I could call his master to come and get him.
Nothing! This dog obviously wasn’t in the habit of wandering very far…until this afternoon.
We continued slowly, my habitual, hour long, walk became endless.
I could tell he just wanted to collapse in a heap on the cool tile floor beside his water bowl, close his eyes and sleep.
“You’re nearly home…” I encouraged, talking more to myself than to him.
As I neared his turning I was fully prepared to escort him to his door, his grim persistence was unsettling
And I was growing concerned as he seemed hell bent on following me.
Just as I was turning around to detour him we spotted his owner and Zeus came back to himself and regained his sense of belonging.
He veered off across the lawn as I disappeared down the hill.
At home my camera revealed this image that said it all…
His soul mate had kept him going.
Well hello there! My name is Vivienne McNeny.
I am an empty nester exploring life as a Boomer…you could say I'm happily Boomering along!
As a homeschooling Mum I have finally quit the job of role model and mentor to my four children. I do what I want to do, eat when I feel like it, enjoy life with my blue eyed cowboy and clean my house once a month or so whether it needs it or not!
In true English form I write about the emergence of my true identity now that I can no longer hide behind my children as their Mum.
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