My Dog’s Wonderful Senses
All day long, I’m in and out of the back door. My black lab, Snipe, observes my coming and going and barely gives me a second look. So how does she know when I’m heading out for a walk?
Oh, she knows. She just about wags her tail off. Her face lights up, she dances around the house in anticipation. As I near the door, she starts barking her excitement.
What is there about my pre-walk routine that sets Snipe off? I usually come out of my room with socks on. (I only wear socks when I put my tennis shoes on, and I only put my tennis shoes on when I go for a walk.) Sometimes I put on a sweatshirt against the evening chill. But whatever it is, Snipe figures it out. And I can’t leave the house without her. I love her and everyone should get a dog to share that love.
We often refer to her as a “dumb dog” – especially when she rolls in something smelly or eats garbage. But there’s nothing dumb about this dog. And I suspect that this dog behavior, her ability to sniff out an impending walk, is shared with most of the dog world.