Take Time to Smell the Dog Pee

A couple of weeks ago, when the Syracuse climate decided to tease us with a few false signals of spring, I took Miss Puff out for a long walk--our first long walk in several months.  I felt a desperate urging to burn some calories. 

However, since I made the mistake of forgoing the Gentle Leader, I quickly found I was burning less calories from movement and more calories out of sheer frustration as I stopped and took a few "penalty" steps backward every time Puff pulled forward.  Every. Other. Second.  Leash training is unfortunately not very conducive to walking for exercise.  Especially leash training a dog like Puff.

"You're slowing us down a lot when you do that," I scolded as she yanked toward the left once again.  I was trying not to get frustrated since the worst thing a trainer can do is get frustrated.  But it was becoming increasingly difficult.

"Well you're speeding us up a lot," she retorted, without losing focus on whatever she'd targeted in the grass along the side of the road.

"Yes.  That's kind of the idea of walking." 

"But it isn't the idea of smelling.  You can't take in all the wonderful smells of outside when you're walking too quickly."

"Okay, but I really need to get some exercise.  And you need to learn how to walk better on a leash." 

"No, you need to get some excitement.  At least seven dogs have peed here.  Do you know exciting that is?!"

"Umm....noooooo.....I don't really...." 

"Well here--let me show you!"  She so proudly prepared to transmit the smell to my nose by proxy.

"No, no, NO!" I shrieked, drawing my hand up to cover my nose.  Goodness, let's NOT smell the seven-dog pee spot.  Her sulking glance made me realize I may have hurt her feelings, so I tried to tune down my disgust.  "I mean...I'll just take your word for it.  I'm sure it smells super awesome to you." 

"Humans.  You have no idea what you're missing."

"We do like other outside smells.  Like flowers.  And pine trees.  And fresh air." 

"So why aren't you smelling those things now?"

"I am smelling them.  I just don't get right down to the ground like you do.  Plus, like I said before, I need to keep moving so I get the exercise I need." 

"But you're not exercising your senses.  That's important, too.  And you need to stop moving to exercise them the right way."

I began to consider the possibility that I was the one who needed training.  My entire life had turned into a constant juggling of obligations that seemed to take precedence over everything else.  And the things that brought me the kind of joy Puff experiences when she finds the jackpot of outdoor doggy toilets--those weren't even in the mix anymore.   My friends, my creative endeavors.  I felt like even my quality time with my animals had suffered recently.  And for what?

Although I couldn't answer the question, I was surprised to notice just how much more smoothly our walk proceeded after this exchange.  Puff no longer needed to drag me in all directions since she'd finally reminded me they existed.

So, friends, no matter where we are or how busy we claim to be, it might behoove us all to heed Puff's advice on this one:  Take time to smell the dog pee.