Morning Walks with Abe

I have taken the plunge. I am back to walking and boy-oh-boy am I out of shape! But I knew that already or else I wouldn't be walking. It was little things like taking a garden walk in the mornings, you know, meandering around the flower beds which mine encompass the entire yard on all four sides and on the final path home my feet drug. Walking through the grocery store and by the end of it my legs were worn out.

And then my legs and feet have started to swell because of my newest blood pressure medicine. It got so bad the other night that my leg was aching up to my knee. Ir felt like a constant pressure so that I had to keep moving to alleviate the discomfort. I asked myself as I tried to fall asleep, if this is a part of diabetes and I lost my legs when all it would have taken to save them was a daily walk, wouldn't I regret not having done it. My answer was yeah, a walk a day to keep my legs, I am willing to do that.

Planning when to do walk is always a chore. I wanted to walk in the mornings before work but I can't stand mornings. Maybe this will make me a better morning person. I had already gotten myself to where I am waking up at 7:00 am and ready to hit the door by 8:30. I just need to get the hit the door ready a half an hour sooner. I began by walking for ten minutes at 8:30 the first morning. I got my Sketchers and a hoodie on, found the leash where it hung by the back door, stuffed my cell phone in my pocket, hooked up my big dog, Abe (who is a mix between a boxer and something else, a mutt), and off I went.

Abe is the most wonderful dumb dog. He epitomizes everything that is wonderful about dogs except that he isn't very social. He nips at newcomers to the house, but unconditionally loves those that reside here. So taking him on walks to socialize and exercise him is an added bonus to the whole thing. He tugs for about the first 100 feet of the walk and I am constantly saying "Abe, No" and pulling on the leash. Then he mellows out and sniffs his way around the block. The odd furry squirrel or rabbit excites him. An occasional dog on a chain raises the hair on his back. I have a bit of a fight during these times, but I keep walking and keep tugging and keep saying "Abe, NO".  I've had to stop to say "hi" to a neighbor here and there and he doesn't appreciate them much. He stands kind of crossed in front of me, letting them know he's there and watching with a low growl. We don't stop for long. I've begun letting him off of his leash when we are about 50 feet from the house, giving him a chance to learn freedom and what to do with it. He runs up our stairs and waits by the door for me to get to him. A very good boy!

Since I had begun walking last year too, let's hope it sticks this year.