It's About the Relationship

Max Scooter

This is Max Scooter. He's our thirteen-and-a-half year old mini schnauzer. We've been together since he was seven weeks old. I brought him home as a single gal, and - happily - married someone who loves him as much as I do.

Max is showing his age. At age thirteen-and-a-half in human years, he's between 77 and 82 in doggie years, so his little body is slowing down. He still has his schnauzer spunk - he just doesn't hear as well as he used to, or see as well as he once did, so he's less likely to bark at you if you ring the doorbell.

One of the things I determined to do once I started walking regularly was to include Max at least part of the time. Now, I adore this dog. Let's just get that out there. But he always has been and still is horrible at walking. What I mean is - everything taller than him needs a sniff, needs some wee, maybe a dash of poop. 

COME ON, DOG. It's a weed, for goodness' sake. WHY PEE ON A WEED?

There are all sorts of reasons why he does this. He's a male. He hasn't been well-trained to walk and ignore. He's a schnauzer, which is an inherently curious breed. Etc. etc. Whatever the case, I learned long ago that if I'm really wanting good exercise, taking him along isn't such a good plan.

And now, of course, there's the matter of his age. He just can't walk as far as he used to because he just doesn't have the energy. My in-laws took him for a walk recently and my father-in-law (bless him) actually had to CARRY THE DOG part of the way because Max was just plain ole tuckered out.

So, I've decided that sometimes, the exercise is sacrificed for the sake of the relationship. Sometimes, my own walking regimen is less important than the regimen that Max and I share together - a regimen that involves slowing down and even stopping from time to time. And that's OK, because the important thing is that we got out there - together - and saw the sights and sniffed the wind and enjoyed a beautiful North Texas day. We covered almost a mile together: he got to pee on some stuff (I waited) and he came home to eat an ice cube and crash in his favorite spot. 

He's a great dog, today's walk was a great walk, and really - that's what matters.