My yard crew was due yesterday morning just about the time I usually walk the new dog. Since he’s easily spooked and sometimes slips the leash, I decided to avoid any potential catastrophes by foregoing the walk that day. Otherwise, we went through our usual morning routine.
Along about 2pm, the dog and I were both sitting around the living room when he abruptly rose and left the room on urgent dog business. He returned in a moment with one of my walking shoes in his mouth.
Brandishing his trophy high and ensuring my attention, he circled the living room three times, then went directly to the center of the room and thunked the shoe down onto the floor.
Message received.
I couldn’t help but laugh, and yes, I put on my shoes and took him out walking right then. It did occur to me that I might be providing reinforcement for what amounted to crude manipulation on his part, but my guilty conscience overruled. We’ve been struggling a bit to establish communication, and I reasoned that it was important to celebrate every breakthrough.
Who knew a dog would understand the concept of a mike drop?