Walking is Fun...So I Take Mom Out For a Walk Everyday
Ever since the day I was taken out for walking, I have enjoyed it thoroughly. Who wouldn't though? I hope you read my post 'Many Firsts Including My First Walk Outdoors - Part 1?'
Down the memory lane...
More than three months have since passed and my love for walking has kept growing. Almost all days, it is mom and I who step out of home for a walk. 
My body clock is more accurate than your battery clock mom
Initially, we walked along the same roads and we used to return home on the same route we had taken on our way out. Mom gradually started increasing the distance. She started introducing different roads. So, we would go through one route and return through another.
Till then, I was like, "Your most obedient daughter, mom". Then, transition started and I took over the reins.
You still believe YOU are taking me out for a walk, mom?
Mom does not ignore anyone who speaks with her. But, I make choices. I respond to people who greet me but I don't respond to all those who greet me. I also like certain people who do not even look my way...it is all what I sense about them.
Incidentally, the first trigger that aroused my curiosity to visit new streets was people and canine friends I liked.
One day, as mom and I were walking, we met two ladies who were in charge of keeping the streets clean. They were standing at the end of a road and chatting. I instantly took a liking to them. Mom also liked them.
Next day onwards, I started looking for them in that particular street. I would wait there for a while to see if they were coming.
Don't you report to duty on time, ladies?
Mom would say, "Come on Chezhi, you can't expect them here whenever you come over." But still, I would wait for a while every time I walked in this neighborhood. 
It is another day but I remain the same
Sometimes mom would tug at my harness and ask me to keep moving straight down the road when I stand in certain streets looking for people I have come to know. But I would stand my ground.
Mom, is it not better to bend a little than to break?
Oh, it is great that they are not leashed
They were actually standing in a circle. As we walked towards them they started moving in a line and went under the car. I just turned around and saw two dogs at the other end of the street.
Oh, am I going to have new friends?
Deviating from the route to take bylanes is fun and also can spring surprises. This led to my stopping to visit this new street as well.
Variety is the spice of life mom
Yet another interesting stop on my way is the park. Here, people come for a walk and they also do workouts. I always love to watch some action. Since mom says we were not supposed to enter, I would stand at the gate for a while. I have a couple of friends here as well.
Does the board say, 'Only for humans', mom?
These roads always offer something interesting to watch. Ever since an encounter with a buffalo when I was new to walking, I cross cows and buffaloes with caution. Even if they are busy doing something, I keep a close watch on them.
Are they sharing the same horns as well?!!
I also adore it when other creatures go near them without fear.
I wish I had wings too...
This mother of two puppies, never seemed to mind those bigger creatures.
Girl, I love your guts
Though I come across many dogs while walking, I like some more than the rest. Here is one that usually comes running towards me. For the first time, the little one was walking ahead and mom caught her on cam.
Reminds me of my puppy days...
She is so friendly but she is a fighter as well. She picks up quarrel with bigger dogs and mom and I love watching her. One day a big dog came barking towards me. As I was getting ready to take on her, there was a sweet intervention. Yes, the little one pounced on her and made her move in a different direction. I cannot forget the look of achievement on her face.
You made me proud of your friendship
Here is another brave girl who loves to get into mom's good books. She keeps watch when I sniff around to relieve and chases the male dog that always tries to come closer.
Mom, can't we take her home?
After chasing the other dog, she would come to mom to be appreciated...yes, she does not ask for anything else.
Your hearty smile is greater than your deed girl
There are a few other people we got to know during our regular walk. They all have been very kind, very friendly; some would greet me with warmth and I would rush to greet a few of them with excitement. Those with pets would offer suggestions to mom.
I love the trees and plants as well. I keep sniffing seemingly forever and mom is quite patient to let me do my stuff.
It is easy to grow plants at home mom. You don't have to take them for a walk
Is this called Human Race mom?
Often roads are under repair...or are roads being created???
Do you have money for four shoes mom?
Ever since we started walking in this busy area, mom takes me there often. Even I like both the areas, the busy one and the calm one.
The only factor of disagreement between us is when to go where. These are the days I protest and stop moving. Sometimes mom gives in and sometimes I do.
Both mom and I try new routes. Again, the disagreement would be the choice of route. Whenever I feel like entering a street or want to try a new street, I would stop moving.
Can we check this street mom?
If mom tries to gently pull my leash, I would refuse. Mom takes cue. Sometimes, mom would just refuse. And I return her the favor. Generally, I just would like to have my way.
Most of the days after reaching home, I would simply lie down and relax. Some days, I would interfere dad's workout session by not giving him space.
Sure father lacks mental strength to move me aside
He has never succeeded in making me move. But he would move to a different space to workout.
Dads are easy to handle
Or I will bring him my toy to play with. This technique generally works. But sometimes, he would just go about exercising without giving me time.
It really pains when there is disobedience at home
When everything fails I will just look at him in the eye knowing too well he cannot refuse straight on my face.
Dads, my dear father, are born to obey children
Sure you know what would have happened next.
Overall, walking is fun as mom and I follow a rhythm. Of course, there is always a contest between us to become the deciding authority. Mom thinks she still has control.
Please don't tell mom that it is always MY choice.
What did mom learn?
Lessons Learnt while Walking
One can never generalize pet behavior. In a broader sense, yes, but every pet member is unique. It is highly evident when you take your pet out for a walk on a regular basis. Instead of sharing what I learnt, I leave it to my dear readers to have fun and strengthen their bond walking with their pets.
The attitude of the pet member towards the outer world, people and other animals included, could be fun, amusing and thought provoking to say the least. But every emotion they exhibit, every show of their attitude is a lesson for us to understand our pets better.
In the earlier days of outdoor walking, I used to tell Chezhi, "Let's jog" and then we would jog a stretch till I got tired. We would then walk until I tell her "Let's jog". One day as we started jogging, just by chance, the garbage van played "Oho, namma ooru' song. Since the van was also moving, we could hear the song till we jogged the stretch.
Next day, when we went out for our walking exercise, Chezhi started dragging me for jogging quite a number of times without notice. The same thing happened the following day. It was then that I realized, Chezhi jogs every time she hears the song. Imagine, these vans run almost in all streets in the morning hours playing this song. Chezhi really gave me a thorough exercise. It took me time and consistent efforts to prevent Chezhi from jogging every time she heard the song. Those who are not in Chennai can listen to the song from the link below:
I would like to highlight one aspect regarding the exercise your pet gets from walking. If your pet has had sufficient exercise from walking on a given day, she would simply relax on returning home. If she starts playing immediately on return, it is a sign that she has not had enough exercise that day and needs more to address her energy levels.
I have also noticed that if Chezhi stays put in a particular bylane, it means, she wishes to give the road a visit. Sometimes, those roads are calm except for a couple of streeties but some roads have nothing but streeties. I always trust Chezhi's gut feeling. But I never agree to enter a street the very first time she asks for it. May be it is my gut feel.
Chezhi thinks she makes the decisions or at least she makes me make decisions of her choice. Please don't tell her that it has always been MY choice.
Last but not the least, ever since I started walking with Chezhi, I have been watching street dogs with a new perception. I have always dreaded them in the past, particularly, the ones that came running towards me or the ones that barked. Now, I understand them better...much better that I never thought I would.
And I need to give these streeties their due.
* Street dogs are great pals with no homes but with big hearts.
* They don't mind you are empty-handed even when they have not had any food. They are happy with your kind approach.
* They are generally taken for granted as they seem to be around all day. Most of them are avid chasers of vehicles that pass by in the darkness of nights, not because they hate humans who pass by. They are simply guarding their streets. When we face such situation, we should always remember that our street dogs do the same for us.
* Street dogs may not take it kindly when they first see you walking your dog, that is, if you yourself are new to them. But, soon, they will be your and your pet's guardian angels.
In short, street dogs are loyalty personified.
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