Your dog has a lesson to teach (748 hits)
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Rating: 1.71 on 39 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by La Nuggeta (View user info) at 2004-06-28 22:28:44 EDT
Over the river and through the woods...
On a run we go, every day. My dog and I, that is.
No, we're not going to grandmothers house... we're just going for a run.
It's been almost a year since we began running in the woods. The fact that there are WOODS near my apartment is amazing on its own, seeing as how I live in the middle of a city. And it's not one of those new-fangled Urban Planned cities, either. It's a hodge-podge city of apartments, crappy houses, strip malls and 7-11's. The woods lay between my complex and the highway, they might take up a square mile of land.
There is a rough trail through the woods. By rough I mean that it looks like someone made a trail at one point, and since Xander and I have been running on it for a year, it's visible, although sometimes it's a little overgrown.
Last month we were faced with a problem. It had stormed quite hard, and there was a huge tree uprooted- and laying right across our path.
What to do?! We clambered over the tree and continued on our way. (It's quite funny to see a 100 pound Golden Retriever try to climb over a huge tree-trunk, by the way)
Xander usually runs right behind me. RIGHT behind me. Close enough that every third step he is tripping over my feet, and I'm yelling, "SLOW DOWN!" and scooting over a bit, hoping he'll run ahead. He never does. He hates running ahead. He would much prefer to annoy the fuck out of me. Yesterday Xander surprised me by "thinking outside of the box". (does your boss over-use these inane corporate expressions, too? It's getting on my fucking nereves, but that's WAY off topic).
He was clipping away, stepping on my heels, and when I ran off to the side a bit and yelled, "GO!", he went.
He trotted along ahead of me for a second, and then quickly veered off the path. I stopped and tried to figure out what he was doing. Sometimes he got off the trail to poop, was he pooping?
No.
Did he see a squirrel? No, he was just galloping along... not racing after a woodland animal. "HEY" I called after him, and he promptly turned around and came running back towards me. Running fast, like he hadn't realized I was so far away. He's a mommas boy, alright?
Then I wondered what was OFF the trail. Why had I been running through the same woods for a year, and NEVER ventured off the path. I hadn't ever considered it before. I turned my mp3 player off, put the headphones around my neck, and started walking in the direction that Xander had originally decided to go.
The entire time I was ducking under branches and stepping over plants that had three leaves (to be honest, I don't know what posion ivy looks like, so in my mind, everything IS posion ivy. The plant that I had SUSPECTED of being P.I. for a long time grew berries this spring. So now I have to start over with my P.I. Paranoia), I was wondering why I hadn't walked off the path before.
I didn't wonder what I'd see or where I'd end up... they are small woods in the middle of a city... woods and some grassy areas... that's it. I knew it. I just let myself enjoy the liberation of being able to go whatever way I wanted. I realized that it was common for me to just stay on course without questioning why I was doing something. That's why I got married, to be honest. After you date someone for a year or so and you're content... you get married, right? That's what I did. I didn't question it. How many other things in my life had I done without questioning? Even the small things. People don't like change. It's a fact. Humans resist change. It's stressfull. Habits form without thinking about them... we do things because we're supposed to.
The woods opened up to a grassy area, and Xander TORE off across the field. What the hell?
I couldn't see anything, but I heard it- Splashing.
Splashing in the city makes me think of one thing.
Sewage.
I started yelling for him to come back to me. He ignored me. I ran up over the hill, and then I saw it:
A lake.
A lake in the middle of the city? In the woods? Nobody knows it's here? What the hell?
The night was starting to soak into the sky, laying an indigo backdrop to the lake scene, which was highlighted with the rays from the setting sun- the lake was sparkling as if it were filled with liquid gold.
***
If you live your entire life on the trail, you will never find the Golden Lake.
Funny how my dog is teaching me life lessons these days.
User Reviews
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-07-13 13:58:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I call my dog Xander half the time, his Christian name is Alex though.
I came here via link and have not waded through the replies. This is very clever and oddly enough I stumbled across a small lake near where I live, in the middle of the city. I had the dogs, we were walking to the park and just decided to go down a different road than we normally do. We saw a path through some woods and it lead to a little pond with a grassy area around it. There is a really old church down there so it's probably part of that property from way back in the 50's when the neighborhood was built. Odd coincidence really, that's it.
good read
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-29 18:29:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Good thing I included pictures of the dogs, otherwise this post wouldn't be rated as high as it is.
Submitted by youarsoghey (user info) at 2004-06-29 18:18:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
PUPPIES!
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-06-29 18:10:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
So clever yet so pure.
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2004-06-29 17:53:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
my dogs rule
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-29 17:48:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
OH, and yes, that's an old picture of him. He was 8 weeks old in that pic... he's two and a half now.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-29 17:45:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
apollo88, are you trying to say that Shandy logged into your account and professed his love for other UberWOMEN!?!?
And Herpes, I know you don't like my dog. That's why I'd never date you. I know you keep begging and begging, saying things like "Corinne, my life is not complete without you, please please be my girlfriend... " and such, and well, my answer is no, simply because you don't like my dog. Plus I don't like Mexicans.
Arriba Arriba!
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2004-06-29 16:55:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by im_evelyn (user info) at 2004-06-28 23:37:37 (#)
Ranking: 2
Your dogs are freaking adorable. I had a golden retriever and some other dog mix so in essence he was a my MUTT named Bear. I miss him too but its fun to have the dog drag you around because you never know where you'll end up! (His name is Bear because my mother, who did not know English well, thought he looked like a bear cub.)
-----------------------------------------------------
im_evelyn - I also had a golden retriever named Bear... who was allergic to grass! Can you imagine a dog being allergic to grass? It was awful for him.
nugget - great post, I loved it.
Submitted by Herpes (user info) at 2004-06-29 16:34:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't like dogs, but Xander is awesome, minus the whole shedding thing. When I hang out at your place, I have to pick at my clothes for hours, even after pulling them out of the dryer.
On second thought, Xander is not awesome. Fucking shedder.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-06-29 16:00:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
nugget!
that is not fair!
I have been nothing but faithful and loving.
it IS him, he is poisoning you.
Submitted by AlahAckbar (user info) at 2004-06-29 09:45:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
So true.
Submitted by Mr-Boo (user info) at 2004-06-29 09:39:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Dogs. I couldn't imagine my life without them.
Submitted by vodka7tall (user info) at 2004-06-29 09:33:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Cute dog, nice story.
Submitted by Jamie (user info) at 2004-06-29 08:14:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
i give it a +1 becuase the picture is cute.
But that doesn't look like a 100 pound golden. What the fuck? Is it an old pic?
I'm so fucking ridic sometimes
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-29 08:02:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Is it wrong that I thought: hot sweaty runner + private secluded lake = skinnydipping and was slightly disappointed with the way the story ended?
***
Yes, it is wrong. PERV.
***
Apollo88, every time you get yourself into a bind you either try to blame Shandy or Prickles... I think we need to do a psycho-analysis of you. WHY do you blame him for all your shortcomings?
He may LIKE little girls, but YOU are acting like a little girl with all this blame shifting!
Submitted by itchy (user info) at 2004-06-29 07:42:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Grrrrrrrreat!
That's it, I'm taking lard-ass running when I get home.
Is it wrong that I thought: hot sweaty runner + private secluded lake = skinnydipping and was slightly disappointed with the way the story ended?
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-06-29 07:40:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nugget!
How can you say that? After all the good times we have had together?!
Don't listen to Pickle, he is a MONSTER.
(He likes young girls you know - Pickle and I were taking a stroll around Rotterdam docks last week and I remarked on how pretty a young girl was (she couldn't have been older than 6) and Pickle responded ' i bet she was nice in her day'.
That is what you are dealing with here.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-29 07:30:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-06-29 04:00:53 (#)
Ranking: 2
I have got FEELINGS you know.
*********
it's no use, Apollo88... don't try to save face and act humane in front of everyone else. We all know you're a heartless bastard. Drop the sharade already!!!
Submitted by fluff (user info) at 2004-06-29 07:14:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by MrPrickle (user info) at 2004-06-29 05:41:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
if i make it through the arse slicing ordeal unharmed i will take you to japan.
i expect to be out of the picture for a week or so - be on gaurd during my absence for any tricks from the master manipulator apullo.
Submitted by MrPrickle (user info) at 2004-06-29 04:35:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-06-29 04:00:53 (#)
Ranking: 2
I have got FEELINGS you know.
----
that's his favourite line, corn.
don't be deceived!
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-06-29 04:00:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What's all this crazy talk?
I have got FEELINGS you know.
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2004-06-29 03:46:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Inigo_Montoya (user info) at 2004-06-29 00:15:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awww this reminds me of Darwin, my 3 month old Beagle! Your doggie's soooo cute.
Submitted by Electro (user info) at 2004-06-29 00:01:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yay! +2 for cute picture.
Submitted by im_evelyn (user info) at 2004-06-28 23:37:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Your dogs are freaking adorable. I had a golden retriever and some other dog mix so in essence he was a my MUTT named Bear. I miss him too but its fun to have the dog drag you around because you never know where you'll end up! (His name is Bear because my mother, who did not know English well, thought he looked like a bear cub.)
So +2 because you are a dog person/the story was cute/made me think of my dog.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-28 23:24:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Prick, I love sushi, TOO!
It's my favorite. Let me know when you plan on taking me out for some.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-28 23:22:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
King... those dogs are SO pretty... but, way too much work. I grew up with a pit-bull (english staffordshire bull terrier), and we didn't even have to BRUSH him. It's a pain having a Golden now, he sheds EVERYWHERE, gets matts, etc etc etc... Plus he's huge and people who don't like dogs REALLY don't like having a huge dog bugging them.
But, I love him. I won't even date a guy who doesn't like dogs.
Funny that most of my friends aren't dog people. Damn friends.
Submitted by MrPrickle (user info) at 2004-06-28 23:19:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
good work nugget. poor lojope. i hope she sees the light before he degrades her too much.
i'm not on messenger becuase i'm just walking out the door en route for the sushi train with young isaac. he loves it.
Submitted by dakingisdead (user info) at 2004-06-28 23:09:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow that was a cool pick and one MUDDY doggy.
I pity you cleaning up that mess.
My dog was a Briard. Big Black Long hair and hell after going to the beach, park or whatever. Even when she was in the back yard I swear she brought half the garden back in with her.
BUT I loved her.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-28 23:04:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
oh, and I already broke them off!!! That good-for-nothing loves LOJOPE now!
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-28 23:02:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
hey prick, why aren't you on Messenger?
Submitted by MrPrickle (user info) at 2004-06-28 23:00:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
apparently the brain actually functions to keep us on the path of habit.
apparently each time we do or think something, a connection or path is formed between electricial/organic nodule thingies in our brain. when we do the same thing again, that path gets a bit bigger or more clearly defined, just like a path through a forest gets bigger and clearer the more you use it. with huge numbers of repeats, the path in your brain gets like a super highway.
when it comes time for you to do something or make a decision, apparently the brain automatically goes for the biggest and clearest pathway. so the system perpetuates itself.
therefore it takes a conscious effort to try a smaller pathway, or to venture off into the unknown jungle.
(and therefore you need to make a conscious effort to BREAK FREE of your habitual relations with that monster apullo.)
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-28 22:43:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Yes, he was a mess... not messier than the time he found the mud-hole.
For your viewing pleasure I present: http://cornnugget78.textamerica.com/?r=1021455
Submitted by dakingisdead (user info) at 2004-06-28 22:35:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I had a dog like that. Always running on your heals. It used to piss me off but when told to go she would race around like a lunatic.
Your retreiver has probably been able to smell that lake all the time you have been runningin those woods and she has probably been dying to hit that water.
I bet she was a mess when she got home.
+2 for the larger message. Wake up and smell the coffee eh?
Submitted by Snuggles_The_Assassin (user info) at 2004-06-28 22:34:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
my dog would pwn your dog. Awesome post.
May I slip something in you?
Submitted by StonedSilly (user info) at 2004-06-28 22:34:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
+2 because you wrote a good post.
-2 because this reminded me of my kitty that disappeared today.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2004-06-28 22:30:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
and before you ask, no I didn't name my dog after the Buffy charecter...
His name is Alexander The Dog, after Alexander The Great.
My cat is named Ramses, after Ramses II.
I am a history buff.
I am an Egypt buff.
So, my animals are named accordingly.
Submitted by I_Have_a_Kristen_Fetish (user info) at 2004-06-28 22:30:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
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