We are marking six weeks in our new digs, the dogs and I are getting into the groove of condo living and life at the beach. We aren’t getting off to the super early morning starts anymore – the daily six AM dog party in the unit above us has become old hat – we now sleep through the excitement of the early start to our neighbors’ day. We wake up on our own time and have our program down to a bit of a science, the order of “go” determined.
Chester gets first dibs on the walk. He has become something of a beach star – he carries his frisbee with the ease of a seasoned smoker letting a cigarette dangle from their lips – he is nonchalant, his swagger as cool as any greaser at a pep rally. He has no idea what kind of statement he is actually making as we mush our way up the hill, I think he thinks all dogs garner the same attention he does. He is brightening a lot of days just by being himself, setting grumpy-looking people off to a better start by innocently pulling a reluctant smile from somewhere deep within them. Smiles are contagious and unbeknownst to Chester he is starting to create a bit of an epidemic.
Olive is old enough and wise enough to stay tucked in bed until after Chester has taken his walk – some mornings I have to give her a little shake to rattle her from slumber when it’s her turn to go out, her own snoring being too loud for her to hear me above the rumble. She seems to be settling into retirement quite nicely and enjoying a few short walks during the course of a day. Her sweet old face inspires the sentimental sighs people bestow upon senior dogs – the sound of affection and remembrance. She too is adding to the smile quota of the day.
Beach life seems to agree with all three of us – I’m having no trouble meeting the daily step challenge set by my watch – I generally close the exercise ring before Chester finishes his morning excursion. We are racking up miles and smiles and getting in shape in the process. All the random smiles the dogs are generating are being received by me – every day looks a little brighter and the world a little happier.