Off Leash!

I've decided to try something new with Soni. I get so sick of hunting down her leash and hooking it up every single time she needs to go outside (really not that much work, I know, but...) that I decided to test how much I actually trust her to be off leash for less than 5 minutes near a relatively busy street. She's been doing very well so far and is very proud of herself. She is especially good when it's time to eat. I'll bring her outside and she'll go as fast as she can before sprinting back up the stairs to wait for her food. I take my time coming back inside, but she's there at the top of the stairs, peeking around the corner ready to chow down!

Time for a Walk!!

After dinner, we usually go on a nice walk around our neighborhood. Today, after Soni wolfed down some lovely Canidae and I ate some spicy food from Soni's favorite Sri Lankan friend, we took off on our latest adventure.

Now, rule number one of dog walking in town: pick up the poo! No one likes to step in someone else's laziness! This is where we find our stash of beautiful blue baggies.

The bridge pictured to the left extends from 1st Ave to Phoenix Park, across the Chippewa River. Today being Thursday, Phoenix Park was hosting its weekly "Music in the Park" event that takes place (weather permitting) throughout the summertime. We enjoy walking on Thursdays because we can hear the music throughout our whole route. The park was already starting to fill up (those specs on the right are people, really) when we walked over the bridge.

Soni waits very patiently as I stand and take pictures of random things. She does however, get VERY excited when someone rolls by on roller blades. Bikes get her excited sometimes, but it depends on who's on it. I have to keep a very close eye on her to make sure she doesn't run off with me. But generally she is a very good walker.

To the right and below are some pictures from Phoenix Park, once we have crossed the bridge. We make one big loop through the park, over another bridge, through downtown, over yet another bridge and then back around to home. Just over the other side of the second bridge is a cool old building with paintings in all of the windows. It always reminds me of my sister Corissa. :) At this point in the walk I like to turn around and look behind me at where the two rivers meet.

Then we walk down Barstow St, which curves into Graham, a one way. Soni likes to watch all the cars driving by, mainly because she gets a lot of attention from the cars' occupants. Sometimes they wave, but most the time they just smile. It's not unusual for us to be stopped by other pedestrians either. She's definitely a people pleaser. It's the toothy grin I think. Very appealing.

The next bridge we cross is on Grand Ave. I never realized that Infinitea Teahouse was on that side of the river until we moved to 1st Ave and started taking walks in the area. It really is ideal - Infinitea on one side of the bridge, Grand Ave Cafe on the other!

Soni likes to pause to take in the scenery on bridges. This one for some reason is her favorite. She likes to smell the metal. Sometimes lick it. Yum? Doubtful.

Whenever I reach the other side of the bridge, I have an overwhelming urge to stop into Court N' House. They have 2 for 1 burgers on Thursday nights! The only thing stopping me is the fact that my dog would eat everything in sight including the napkins, and the fear that I'll get suckered into karaoke. Oh, and I'm pretty sure dogs aren't allowed. If only they knew that Soni can drink the most seasoned frat boy under the table! It would be entertaining at least!

After my cheeseburger craving subsides, we take a right and head on home. Phoenix Park is now across the river to our right. The trail is surrounded by trees and nice and cool during the summer. It's kind of buggy though if the breeze isn't blowing. There's a creepy old house that I always hurry by, and never walk by in the dark. The fact that it looks creepy, and is next to a funeral parlor is just enough motivation for speed walking!

Tonight we were almost home, back near the bridge to Phoenix Park, when we came across some friendly drunk, homeless looking fellows. They were hanging out at a pavilion that I wanted to take a picture of, but thought they might get the wrong impression. I didn't want them following me home or anything. One of the guys asked me if I had a boyfriend and I had to say yes, of course, for my own safetly. Most weirdos back off if a girl tells them they have a girlfriend, at least in my experience. He said "Darn, I can't flirt with you then." He told me he was jealous of my dog because she gets food and water and a home. Poor guy! Soni yipped and told me it was time to keep walking...

There's a house on our street that always barks at us. And by that I mean there's a little doggie inside the house that always barks at us. I don't know how it knows we're out there, because it looks like all the blinds are closed. But regardless of how quiet we are, we still hear "Grrrroooowwwlll YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP-" -"SPARKY, SHUT UP!!" Ok, I don't really know if the dogs name is Sparky, but that's what the yelling sounds like. We just keep going, one foot, er, paw, in front of the other until we are home.

And at the end of the day, Soni is tired and so am I. :)