Dog sitting

The next door neighbors were going away for a weekend.  

Mum and Dad had offered to look after Moss the dog.

Mary loved to play chase with Moss on sunny days or just sit and stroke his back and face when they bumped into each other, but now they could go and explore.

Dad took Moss’s things into the house to make him feel a bit more comfortable and at ease in a different place.  As well as some extra treats, and the lead for extra long walks.

“Walkies” shouted dad, Moss’s ears picked up with a swift move he was already out in the hall ready, while Mary put on her boots and picked up her jacket (better to be dry and comfortable, than wet and grumpy on this walk).  

Off they went.

Joe and mum were going to sit this one out, they had things to do at home.

This was an adventure walk with Dad, Mary and Moss. 

Dad handed Mary the lead so she could try and keep up with Moss.

Moss was interested in everything, the grass, each rock, flowers even the mud.

“Why is he sniffing at everything?” wondered Mary.

“Well you know how we see everything very clearly; well dogs make up some of their sight with their nose.  That’s why the police use them to find things."

“Oh so if we lost my hat or your gloves, could Moss find them again?”

“Possibly, he might need some training on which sent to look for but I’m sure he could.”

All this talking and learning while going further and further into the woods.

Now they were at a lovely cool burn, Moss wasn’t sure at first but soon enough both Moss and Mary were stomping about in the water.

Mary kept to the shallow bits, she didn’t want soggy socks for the rest of the journey.  

While Moss was quite happy jumping and playing with the water.

Dad found a nice comfortable rock to sit on while these two were having fun and burning off all of that excess energy.

After a good while dad stood up, “who fancies some lunch?”

“Oh, I do, I think moss would like some too dad.”

“How about we head back and see what we have in the house?”

“OK, come on Moss,” advised Mary climbing out of the burn with Moss not far behind.

Just as Mary go back onto the grass bank Moss jumped up and shook all of the water from his fur over everyone.

“Oh Moss,” exclaimed Mary and Dad at the same time, as they stood their dripping.

Moss just carried on sniffing and inspecting the surroundings.

Mary and Dad just looked at each other and laughed.

They giggled the whole way home.

Mum saw them coming up the garden path with big grins on both of their faces.

“Looks like I missed all of the fun,” smiled Mum, “I’ll let you dry off before lunch, how does a picnic out in the garden sound? “

“Perfect.”

©joannehepburn 21.8.16