Penny walks Greenlake

Every month, I try to meet with three other women who took the UW's Marketing Communications certificate program at the same time I did -- over ten years ago. We meet on the first Sunday of the month. Generally. There are times when it was too rainy, my back hurt too much, or when life became too busy for all of us. But we meet at 10 am, walk around Greenlake and catch up.

This past week was the first Sunday of the month. We all could make it at the regular time. I was looking forward to it.

Penny woke me up at 4:30. She really had to pee, she whined. Now, I know that as the Alpha I decide when we get up, but I could tell that this girlie really needed to pee. I touched her belly -- it was hard. So I slipped on my fleece-covered crocs and threw a coat over my flannel pjs (I am still wearing them even though it's April), grabbed her and her leash and we headed out.

After she did her "bidness", I went back to bed. I don't like to get up before 6. Penny zonked too. Next thing I know it was 9:45!

I threw clothes on, grabbed Pennny, and called Tina as I was walking out the door. There was no way I could stop at Ideal Pet Stop and still be at Greenlake anywhere near the time. So, I decided to take her with me.

And you know what? She did just fine. She started out a little surly, forgetting appropriate behavior for dogs walking around Greenlake. Rules include no snarling, lunging, or barking, even at the most irresistable looking fox terriers and pitbull pups. After she relearned the rules, we had fun walking. Of course I couldn't carry on a conversation -- that was when she'd start to act up (we will again work on this). But, she walked and barely limped, even the day after the outing. Yay! That means we can take luxorious walks, not only around Greenlake and Seward Park, but maybe do short hikes.

We do have an appointment with Dr. Walker tomorrow to see if we should continue the recovery process or whether she is ready for her second surgery. It would be really fun to have her active in the summer; on the other hand, it would be nice to get this over with.