Tomorrow I start work full-time again with all day meetings and then the first day of school is on Wednesday. As a school-based speech language pathologist, I get the summer off. It is time I cherish with Pongo, devoting as much time as possible to the outdoors. This has been a very busy one, full of nose work training, private nose work lessons, lots of hiking, travel to Eastern Washington, trips to the dog park and daily walks. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather this summer. We had lots of blue skies and 80 degree weather, something that can't be taken for granted in the Northwest.
Somehow, I am not as excited as I have been in past years about going back to school. I am not looking forward to leaving Pongo at home tomorrow. All summer, he has met me in the morning with that quizzical look of "what are we doing today?" And waited in anticipation of a walk or hike. Pongo is always eager, at my side.
During the school year, hikes become fewer and are relegated to the weekends. Weather sometimes makes our walks shorter, especially when I come home late, my energy is sapped, and family needs my attention. But my committment to Pongo is always in the forefront of my mind, pushing me out the door for a walk even if it is late, or to do at least a few minutes of training or "work."
This evening, we went to the nearest elementary school and did twenty minutes of nose work training in the parking lot. Pongo never ceases to amaze me with his innate scent abilities and his intelligence - he has always been so easy to train, eager to please. Dogs are incredible. I feel so blessed to share my life with these incredible creatures, and am humbled by the responsiblity of being steward to these amazing souls.
As I get ready to call it a night, Pongo is stretched out behind my chair in my home office, dozing on and off. I am dragging my feet about going to bed, postponing the inevitable: tomorrow's dawn.
Sigh . . .there goes another summer, Pongo!
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