Compromise
by carolynholm
Dear Poppy,
You seem to have real preferences about where to go on our walks.
Love, Carolyn
Dear Mom,
Oh no, isn’t that okay?
XOXO Poppy
Dear Poppy,
Of course it’s ok, sweetie. Don’t worry about it. I just notice, for instance, that there’s a corner we come to where I always want to turn right and you always pull on the leash like you want to keep going straight.
Love, Carolyn
Dear Mom,
We always do what you want.
XOXO Poppy
Dear Poppy,
That’s not true – sometimes we go straight, for you. We do a lot of things that you want to do. Like stopping for your feet.
Love, Carolyn
Dear Mom,
That’s when I have burrs between my toes!!!!!!!!!
XOXO Poppy
Dear Poppy,
I’m so proud of you for taking care of them yourself. Some dogs expect their person to do that for them. You are very self-reliant.
Love, Carolyn
Dear Mom,
But you seem impatient when I work on them.
XOXO Poppy
Dear Poppy,
Sorry, I guess I am. When you keep going back over each foot two or three times.
Love, Carolyn
Dear Mom,
To make sure.
XOXO Poppy
Dear Poppy,
It’s hard to be patient. We stop a lot. We continually stop so you can smell everything. It’s a lot of stopping. Arrggghhhh. I like a brisk walk.
Love, Carolyn
Dear Mom,
But when I want to run after the squirrel, you tell me NO. You tell me to calm down.
XOXO Poppy
Dear Poppy,
Well, okay, you’re right about that. The same squirrel thumbs his nose at you every day and runs up the Oak tree. You’re never going to catch that guy, you know.
Love, Carolyn
Dear Mom,
But it’s so exciting!!!!!!!!!
XOXO Poppy
Dear Poppy,
I can see that. So it goes. Turn the corner or continue straight. Walk briskly or poke along slowly. Take off after the squirrel or walk nicely down the street. Going for a walk means continual compromise.
Love, Carolyn
Dear Mom,
Is that okay? Am I doing something wrong?
XOXO Poppy
Dear Poppy,
Don’t worry sweetie. That’s life.
Love, Carolyn
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