:walk2: Mom took me (Charlie) for a walk last night. I knew we were going somewhere good 'cause mom hooked me up to my nylon leash instead of my retractable leash. I know the difference between the two leashes, but couldn't imagine where we were going to go. It turns out that we went down to Trophy Point on post for the last summer concert series being played by the band. I walked very tall on the 1-mile walk to T Point. I didn't bark at anyone that we passed, not even the cars. When we got to T Point, there were lots of people who asked to pet me, especially kids. Mom was really skeptical about letting me be petted as I can be very nippy around people I don't know or when I feel threatened. Mom let them all pet me, but she held her hands around my snout just in case I got the urge to nip anyone. Mom said I was such a good boy as I didn't even make an attempt to nip anyone. I was shaking for a long time as I sat in mom's lap for the concert. There were LOTS of people sitting around on the grass and the music was really LOUD, but very nice to listen too. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, I still didn't bark at anyone. Mom said she was very proud of me. Oh, I almost forgot that she left Abbie (that's my big golden sister) home alone. She put Abbie in her crate because she didn't know how she'd do without my being there to keep an eye on her. I don't think that Abbie liked my not being there at all 'cause as we left, Abbie was being very vocal about not being able to come with us.
:thumb: Brenda here - I know I don't post too often, but had to share this outing. I don't take Charlie to too many public outings because he is usually very talkative and isn't too friendly with others. I was very impressed with out he conducted himself. As we passed people on the sidewalk (to include a few other dogs), he didn't say a word. I was also impressed with how he conducted himself when others petted him. I wonder how he'd have done if I hadn't held on to his snout, but I didn't want to take any chances on his nipping anyone. We left the concert early as I didn't know how Charlie would act once the cannons and fireworks display. The last song that the concert band plays is the 18th Overture in which cannons are fired in sequence to the music. We heard all the noise from the house later in the evening and Charlie did so well in nont barking at it. He kept to a very muffled bark until the noise of the cannons sped up and then he couldn't control himself any longer and started barking as usual. Still I was proud of him controling his barking in the end. I hope this is an indication that perhaps I can take him around more people in the future. :pray:
Way to go Charlie!! Now you may get to go to even MORE special places with mom. I'm sure you enjoyed going without Abbie, too!
Brenda, I'm glad that Charlie did so great around the others. I think you did the right thing in testing him by holding onto the snout while he was being petted. My Kendall-angel was like that and I had to be that way with her. Schatzi isn't that way usually, however she was one time when a co-worker of mine came over. I think it was mainly because I was going out of town and she was already upset over the suitcases,etc. Hopefully you will be able to take your little companion out more now.
Sounds like a very enjoyable outing, Charlie! And what a good boy you were!!!
Wow - that is a very kewl outing - good job !!!