SIR WINSTON

I came into the house carrying several grocery bags, when I was met at the door by Winston, a little black, silver streaked Shih Tzu mix.

“Well, look who’s here for a sleepover!” I cried as I put the bags down on the floor and began petting him. “Oh my gosh! You are so darn cute!”

Tail wagging, and making little whining noises, Winston was enjoying the attention he was getting from his cuteness.

After several minutes of ear rubs, I picked up my bags and headed to the kitchen.

My son Alex was standing by the refrigerator. “Be careful! He’s right behind you!”

I turned and looked down and there he was right on my heels. “Oh, boy. This is going to take some getting used to.”

I began putting away the groceries, moving slowly and deliberately, as if I were walking on ice. Trying to be careful not to step on his tiny paws.

I looked over at Alex as I began folding the grocery bags. “Do you want to take a walk later?”

Immediately Winston began dancing around and barking.

Alex started to laugh. “Well, it looks like he understands that word!”

I sighed as I looked over at his harness and leash hanging from the door knob of the foyer closet. “I guess this walk is going to take place sooner rather than later.”

I looked back at Alex. “You feel like going now?”

“Sure.” Alex shrugged his shoulders. “Why not?”

I grabbed the harness and sat down on the couch. “Come here little man.” I called as Winston came closer to me still barking. “Okay! We’re going!” I cried as the barking continued.

I scooped him up and put him in my lap. I slipped the harness over his head and laid him on his back.

“What are you doing?” Alex asked loud enough to be heard over Winston’s barking as he walked toward the couch, putting on his jacket.

“Right now…” I looked over at Alex and sighed. “If I were being honest, I’d say I was looking for where his batteries were so I could pop them out for a minute and stop his barking.”

Winston was still barking and squirming while I tried to put his harness on. “But actually I’m just trying to figure out how this harness goes on.”

Alex came over to help me.

Once we were done and Winston was back on the ground I grabbed his leash and clicked it on. “Okay, we’re ready!”

Winston couldn’t get out the door fast enough.

We made our way down the driveway, stopping every second for him to smell and mark is territory.

Minutes had gone by and we had only gotten as far as our next door neighbor’s large beech tree.

I looked over at Alex. “I don’t think this is actually going to be considered a walk for us.”

“No.” Alex laughed shaking his head. “I think this is more like a scavenger hunt for good smells!”

Winston lifted his leg to mark another tree but nothing came out.

“You’re on empty little man.” I said as Winston pulled me further down the street.

“I don’t think that matters to him anymore.” Alex said as we stopped two feet later by a mailbox that got his attention.

“You’ve got to admit, he is adorable.”

Winston pulled his head away from the mailbox, making a quick snorting sound, before moving onto the next tantalizing smell.

“That he is.” Alex agreed as we moved two feet further down our street.