After having great success on our regular walks, I decided that we should all hit the trail. I have a lovely walking trail near my house and so Alvin, Stevie, and I all went for our newest adventure. It went quite well and Alvin was very interested in all the new sights. I can't say that he was interested in the new smells because to add to his mystery, Alvin is the only dog, not to mention cocker, that doesn't stop to smell everything. Although he can't be dragged away from wanting to sniff my mom's legs and feet, when we are out on walks, Alvin never tries to smell anything.
A few people were taken aback because when Alvin spots a new person he beelines towards them while doing that spooky stare of his. People tend to look a bit concerned as though he might be aggressive and I don't have the words to explain that not only is he not aggressive but in actuality, he is afraid of people.
We were plodding along just fine until a man on a bike came up from behind and passed us. Due to the fact that Alvin can't locate the direction of sound, he had no warning and he reacted by shoving his bottom so far forward that it just about met his face. I have never seen a dog be able to touch his face with his own butt. He was a bit shaken up by it but recovered within seconds and wanted to keep going. We will be using the trail much more because it's good for him to get more accustomed to all different people, noises, and bicycles. Stevie thought it was just grand but it was a bit challenging because she is the number one cocker sniffer of the world and so trying to drag her along, while Alvin was making beelines for frightened people left me looking as though I was trying to land surf, with my legs and arms spread in opposing directions. But all of this is just part of our little family now.
I am only sorry that we can't take Maddie, the cat. I used to live in an area where there was a contained walking trail and every time I took my dog for walks (about four times a day), she would come running when she saw the leash and then follow us the whole way and turn back with us as we headed for home. My favorite part was that inevitably when my dog would go up on the grassy section to urinate, Maddie would follow, squat, go potty, and then come back down to resume the walk. She had a genuine fan club of other walkers who had never seen anything like it and just couldn't get enough of watching her. I am sad that where I live now deprives us all of her dog walks but she got a big, fenced back yard in the deal and so I think she has forgiven me. Maddie recently turned 16 and I guilted my mom into throwing her a Sweet 16 party. I wasn't going to do it because it's crazy to throw a cat a party but I suckered my mom into it. Maddie got a Hello Kitty balloon and numerous treats. The party was two weeks ago and she still goes to the special spot where we gave her the treats and begs for them......she is such a dog in a cat's body!
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