A Walk With Millie...

 

"Walk with me; don't just walk me.  Slow down and see the world as I do.  I know you've got things to do, places to be.  But out here, with the ground beneath our feet and the sky above us, there's a whole world worth noticing.

The autumn chill is in the air today, crisp and full of new smells.  It's different from yesterday, and different from the day before.  Every day is new.  The leaves crunch under my paws, and I stop to breathe in the rich, earthy scent of them.  To you, it might just be a pile of leaves, but to me, it's a story - one I can't help but dive into, nose first.

So, slow down.  Breathe.  Let the chill fill your lungs and the colors fill your eyes.  Walk with me, don't just walk me.  See the world as I do, if only for a little while.  It's all waiting for you, just beneath the surface."

~ Facebook, Dogs World 

I am working hard on this.  It has become a new rule:  Pay close attention to your surroundings.  Do not think about other stuff.  I had kind of allowed myself to slip into the habit of  doing just that - a time to work out problems and to make plans, etc.  How many times have I said to Millie, "I need to talk to you about some things."   What a waste it was to get to the end of the trail and realize that I had seen nothing of the woods and fields and sky.  I think Millie likes the new rule and I know that I do.  

P.S.  You should see how well the kitties are doing.  And, how big they are getting.  They love me now.  All four of them.  Even Elon, the wild tux kitten which you can see hiding behind the door.  He is still shy and very wary, but that may be a good thing when it comes to surviving in the great outdoors.  He loves for me to stroke him, and purrs like a motor boat.  Here he is with Margo waiting on food.  You'll notice that I still feed them in the cage, but it is never closed.  I thought it might come in handy to have Elon there when it comes time to take him for his vet visit.  I have never picked him up, but I hold and kiss the other three.  I think Elon wants me to hold him.  I may try that tomorrow.