Heart of the Home Dining

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.