Bob And Maxi.

 Battle Of The Wills.

Having felt a bit poorly I asked Bob if he would take Maxi for his afternoon constitutional. Bob of course did take him but I forgot to mention the various peculiarities that Maxi tends to exhibit on our daily excursions.

Needless to say, the two of them were back within minutes, Bob mumbling something about the stubbornness of a particular dog and the dog in question sporting a winning smile. The business of going to the loo had been neglected. Beginner's mistake, one I have made often. The dog is not the boss!

Maxi tends to at times run like a deer and at other times stop like a brick. Stop and stare at the world refusing to go any further...but only for a moment or so because if one waits it out, a mere nudge at the leash will make him walk again. He is an elderly man and needs to be coaxed and cajoled. Bob took his refusing to budge at face value and gave in and turned around to go home.

For the following walk I primed Bob about his boy's tactics and I have to say that it went much better than I thought. The two of them had a nice time and walked a long way. Not as long as I would have wanted ( Maxi does need to exercise ) but the two of them seemed to be fine with their status quo.

The minute the boy gets back from his long afternoon walk, either with Bob or me, he expects his treats. He knows exactly how many are on the cards and woe to whoever doesn't give him as many! They have to be placed in a particular order too. The first one into his awaiting mouth, the second behind his basket and the third one a meter in front of it.

It is so nice to see the two of them bonding even further. Maxi will trundle up to Bob, sit at his feet and lean into him. Just so cute! In the morning he will jump out of his basket once he hears that Bob's awake in order to greet him. Absolutely special, absolutely magical and proof again that life with pets is the best.

Biggi