November 11, 2019

White Dog says the front porch is like a rail station during pre-bed walks. Teams are lining up to go out. The following group is milling in the front room impatient for their turn. And the final group cries that they are going to be forgotten. The house is filled with excited barking, songs demanding "my turn," and howls of family being separated. And then there is the mix of returning dogs and heading out dogs...and White Dogs who would really like to go on walks with ALL of the teams.

"Like a flash mob of power walkers all converging on a single point...Steve" that is how White Dog describes each night's routine.

Pearl walks as part of Team One. She is ALWAYS ready on time!

The pulse beings to quicken within the pack at 10pm and pacing begins at 10:05. If Steve is later than 10:15 with putting on Bella's harness, he is followed by every other member of Team One who stand touching him as they make odd little monkey noises to hurry him.

Once Team One exits the building, as the door is closed, Team Two begins a howling jig at the doorway and begs the cosmos to PLEASE hurry them home!

Often Steve is not even given the chance to remove all of the harnesses before Team Two overruns the porch and demands leashes. While Team Two walks, Team One starts the impatient dance for post walk treats and Team Three performs an operatic death scene based on dying from neglect.

The last team returns to fill in the Army's holes in the line surging in the office near the treat jar. Steve is winded, the WDA happy, and we can prepare to actually go to bed.