Maturity.

So yesterday morning, my human took all of us for extra long walks because she had the day off. I suppose the word "off" is a bit misleading.  We dogs always keep her "on".  First it was the FG's turn for a walk.  They went up the road to the public trail.  The trail passes through the middle of the golf course.  So they took a detour onto the course.  And of COURSE, my human tried to get a photo of the FG.  She had him sitting on a bench - she thought it would be cute.  I should have mentioned the day was bright and clear - but the temperature was FREEEEEEEEEEEZING.  Like -13 Celsius  which is like 8 degrees Fahrenheit for my US friends. CHILLY.  She put the leash down, took off her oversized mittens and tried to get the FG's attention.  It was critical that she get the shot quickly as her fingers were freezing.  Well the FG and I do not like photos.  Really.  You have NO idea how hard it is to get us to look at the camera - especially outside.  Which is totally different from Einstein.  You tell him to put a paw here, angle his head this way, stand on this rock - and he'll do it.  Seriously.  He could be a dog model.  He loves the camera. 

Anyway, my human had put down the FG's leash and stepped back to get the photo.  And in her infinite wisdom, decided to toss a rock in the air to get his attention.  She narrowly missed beaming herself in the head, and that got the FG so excited, he leaped off the bench, grabbed the leash and was G-O-N-E. 

He raced.  He dashed. He zigged.  He zagged.  And he all out sprinted as FAST as he could.  Just imagine what the open expanse of a golf course looks like to the FG.  My human has finally figured out that there is NO point in calling, cajoling or offering treats.  He's like one of those animals that you see that has been released from captivity - and there is not much that will convince him to stop running.  Back and forth.  And JUST out of reach of my human.  So she has a new strategy.  She just ignores him and walks away. Really.  She pretends she doesn't care and just leaves him.  Mind you, she does keep looking back over her shoulder. Well the FG is young - so he hasn't figured out her strategy yet.  So he comes racing past her.  And she ignores him. She changes direction, and he races that way. I would love to see the whole thing from a drone.  A woman walking back and forth, with a dog racing around her with what appears to be an ever-changing destination.  And while it LOOKS like HE doesn't care that she is walking away- he is VERY concerned where she is going.  EVENTUALLY when he exhausts himself from racing around, he stops CLOSE to my human.  So she grabs the leash.  And they happily continue home.

My walk with Frodo was not nearly as eventful.  Einstein posed for photos, while I sniffed the ground.  My human thought to herself on the way home that she never thought she would see the day when a walk with the two of us would be EASY.  I think it's called maturity...Or just good treats.

Have a good one!