Pay Attention – #1LinerWeds

Walking Maddie has been a challenge this summer. The heat and humidity have not been supportive of physical activity. Of course, the other part of the challenge is not weather related, it’s related to the fact that Maddie is at the end of the leash. Maddie isn’t a social creature. She doesn’t like other dogs being walked on her streets, and she’s not particularly fond of people. She can’t stand to have anyone walking behind us, and she doesn’t like the Parks and Recreation crews working in the her park.

Maddie often stares ahead, and sometimes behind, at nothing, and growls or snarls at the nothingness and refuses to walk in that direction. Evil spirits, I guess. She barks at people, despite my asking her to stop and despite my reassurances that the people are nice and that the lady with the walker is no threat – I could totally take her in a fair fight. In light of all this “normal” behavior, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I don’t always pay attention to her signals.

On Labor Day, we left for our walk before 7:00 am, to beat the heat. It was cool enough that I decided to treat Maddie to the long way around the park. As we approached the concession stand, Maddie stopped. I tugged on her harness, but she remained steady. At first, I was worried, because that’s how she acts when she’s having a seizure, but she was much more alert than she is during one of those. I tugged again and suggested that we get moving, and she looked at me as if to say:

“Be quiet dummy! Something is out there!”

Since it was clear that she wasn’t moving. I waited with her for about 15 more seconds before I saw what she had sensed. A turkey vulture swooped into the parking lot from behind the concession stand. It was very low to the ground and angled up to the top of a utility pole at a very steep rate of climb. I didn’t have my camera out, or I would be sharing photos of that homely bird’s amazing wingspan. About 5 seconds later, a second bird flew past and took a spot on one of the light stands on the ball field. I managed a poor picture of it as it was landing.

Maddie remained motionless as I snapped a few photos of the two of them on their respective perches. When we were ready to move, she opted to go back the way we came. All the way out of the park, she kept looking back at Heckle and Jeckle (I know, they were magpies) until we were well beyond the park entrance.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, I’d encourage you to join in on the fun. You can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.

Does today’s gallery include a few shots of Heckle and Jeckle? indubitably, it does. Also, there are a few pics of some of the other birds and critters we share the neighborhood with.

“I see you guys.”

I told Maddie to keep moving, lest this guy thinks we were ready to eat.

This is the second vulture. It’s a little smaller than the first,

They seem to want the highest spot.

Not the prettiest bird, but I was happy to see them.

Birds have been arriving in large flocks lately.

Apparently these guys are moving on.

“Maddie, don’t lick that…”

“That had some nice water drops on it.” “Yeah, they were good.”

Odd looking clouds.

The squirrels in the park are afraid of Maddie.

Still trying to figure out this new camera.

I have no idea. I guess it’s a weed, but it’s pretty.

Maddie was happy to be going to the park.

“Maddie, don’t bark. She’s going the other way.”

“My ear is really itchy. Yeah, that’s the spot.”

My wife says, if something happens to me, she’s going to have my legs stuffed for Maddie.

Looks like he’s early for the game. Probably waiting for the peanut guy.

MuMu has been demanding to be brushed. She wouldn’t sit still for the camera.

MuMu – peering through the gate that keeps Maddie out of her room.