Always nice to have friends. I have been fortunate over the years to have a job teaching real estate and a hobby of athletics to meet many people. In the past decade, I’ve met even more, and it has been easy.
For more than four score years, I have been exercising. Tennis and basketball through college, then continued with tennis until a few years ago. But there is always that time to “stay in shape”. I am not a “go-to-the-gym” person, and my body has told me several times that it does not like weight lifting. I am a poor swimmer, do not like bike riding, and there were no Pilates classes during the 50’s. So I was a runner, then age turned me into a jogger, and now a walker. My body has also told me that it prefers walking every other day, not daily.
I walk alone. Had two great dogs for many years (Duke, the Dalmatian, and Shasta, the American Eskimo Spitz), but now I am enjoying walking alone again. I recently learned that my type of walking has a name: “mindful walking.” No phones, recorders, or Walkmans (Google it, younger readers—it was basically Spotify with batteries and rewind buttons). It allows me to think and possibly settle some problems or make future plans. I strongly believe that it has helped me in business.
While walking, I always met many dogs. My policy has always been to be friendly but not too friendly. I ask, “May I say hello?” Almost all owners say, “Certainly, she is friendly.” You extend your hand and let them check you. You stand an arm’s length away with your left knee ready. Then, after seeing some dogs several times, I’ll give them an ear’s rub.
Several years ago, I decided to add another question. “May I give them a treat (Milk-Bone)?” Again, the answer is normally yes. I walk the same route every other day, so I see some dogs regularly. I have made many, many friends. Not only dogs, but every dog has walkers. Lots of possible student referrals.
The dogs are smart. They have learned where I live. They know that I have Milk Bones in my mailbox. They recognize my car. They see me coming, hear me coming, and smell me coming. And for me to avoid getting bitten accidentally due to their enthusiasm, they have all learned to catch the treats in the air.
And another group has an anthem about friends: Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder—“That’s What Friends Are For.” As they say, “Keep smiling, keep shining, in good times and bad times, we’ll be on your side forevermore.” These new friends will be on my side as long as I have Milk-Bones.
The following are some photos of a few of my friends. Sorry that I don’t have photos for Shelby, Kaydo, Lili, Willow, Nala, Marshmallow, and others. And prayers for Moose, Cody #2, Panda, Wezzy, and CiCi.
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