White Dog and Steve discussed the plan before they even got out of bed this morning. Quinn has been increasingly insistent about wanting to join them on evening walks and for Park time. Most nights Steve reserves that time as "White Dog and Daddy" time but sometimes Michael will join leash up The Other White Dog and join them...and at least once or twice a week Steve will take both White Dogs by himself (this is not easy since they each have such uniquely different paces).
This morning Steve took both WD and TOWD to the Park. As usual, White Dog was off-leash and Quinn was tethered. They walked halfway around the crowded Park and greeted many pups, as they scoped things out. At the bottom of the bowl that forms the center of the Park, White Dog nodded slightly at Steve and moved at an angle to intercept. (No Remington, not a long football pass)!
Steve leaned down and unclipped Quinn's leash (keeping his finger on the latch). TOWD was off-leash!
He looked startled as Steve started to walk and he felt no connection. White Dog and Steve remained calm but were prepared to run him down should their experiment go awry. But it DIDN'T!
Quinn trotted along beside Steve at more or less a "heel" position, flanked by his sister who tried to tempt him into playing chase. But he wasn't ready for that much freedom yet...and truth be told neither was Steve.
Our boy did amazingly well and we are all so very proud of him...even White Dog shrugged off praise that it was, once again, her mentoring that has brought about this leap forward for TOWD. "He was awesome all by himself," she graciously acknowledged. "And has come so far!"
And in a different way, so has she!
11 comments:
YAY for Quinn!!...What a lovely, fun day at the Park!...We hope you all enjoy a wonderful Sunday together as well...kisses...Calle, Halle, Sukki
Way to go, Quinn!!! We're so proud of you.:) You have a great teacher.:)
Love,
Teddy Bear
Wow, Quinn did so good, that is wonderful!
Way to go Quinn. Always so scary that first time you trust them.
Bravo Quinn. I am proud of my woofie friends. Yes you have both come so far.. Brilliant.. Hugs GJ x
Way to go Quinn!
Freedom is great isn't it?! (Not that I would know about that...)
way to go Quinn :)
The last line made my mom SMILE and nod in agreement!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
WD and TOWD are so lucky - we will never be offleash outside of our fenced yard - Mom says we would travel way too far too fast. But we are happy to see that these two had some fun.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
What a perfect example of how we gain from and learn from each other. And acknowledging those accomplishments is the very best part.
Yay Mighty Quinn! Congratulations White Dog!
Jake and Fergi xxoo
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