Althouse: "Would Zeus like to come over and take me for my daily walk?"

December 7, 2012

"Would Zeus like to come over and take me for my daily walk?"

Says Meade, over the phone to the neighbor. I watch from the window:

38 comments:

chickelit said...: Is Meade still a martyr to the piles? The leaf mounds look smaller in size.; 12/7/12, 8:02 AM
AHL said...: Such a happy dog! Oh man!; 12/7/12, 8:03 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "The leaf mounds look smaller in size."

They're composting.; 12/7/12, 8:04 AM
Lyssa said...: My dog really needs a Meade in our neighborhood.; 12/7/12, 8:07 AM
chickelit said...: They're composting.

With astonishing rapidity! Something's rotten in Madison.; 12/7/12, 8:07 AM
Meade said...: AEH said...
"Such a happy dog! Oh man!"

Such a happy man! Oh dog!; 12/7/12, 8:07 AM
Unknown said...: it's nice of Zeus to be so concerned about Meade. When you take on the responsibility for a human you committ yourself to his daily well being.; 12/7/12, 8:08 AM
PaulV said...: If Zeus is one of the dogs being trained to drive a car, then..........; 12/7/12, 8:24 AM
Unknown said...: Why don't you and Meade get a dog? Meade seems great with them, you guys seem to love them, they seem to love you guys. There are many dogs in shelters that would love a good home like yours.; 12/7/12, 8:34 AM
Jaq said...: Hey; 12/7/12, 8:37 AM
Anonymous said...: Well posed question. Just who is walking who? Dollar to Sunday says Zues would like to go on a bike run down a trail with Meade. I used to bike run my big half Irish half Golden.; 12/7/12, 8:40 AM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 12/7/12, 8:43 AM
Anonymous said...: Addendum: Of couse bike runs with an unleased dog were an accepted part of normal civilization 25 years ago. The leash police have a tendency to freak and lecture humans companions of free ranging canines now-a-days.; 12/7/12, 8:44 AM
kimsch said...: Our Siberian has to be leashed. I was watching the dog show on Thanksgiving and John O'Hurley said of them, "They were born to run. You can't trust a Siberian off-leash."

If Nikita gets out he runs. He stays in sight and turns to see if you're following, but he runs. It's scary.

The Borkie (Bichon Frise/Yorkshire Terrier) is much better. When I come home, hubby might let her out the door and she comes running to the car - no further. ("You're home! You're home! I thought you might never come back! I was sure you might be 'ded'. I'm so glad you're home!"); 12/7/12, 8:56 AM
Aridog said...: Rory Moore said...

Why don't you and Meade get a dog? Meade seems great with them, you guys seem to love them, they seem to love you guys ...

As a lifetime dog owner and lover I understand your question. I can't imagine a day without our dogs.

That said, I think I understand Meade and Ann's contribution to various dogs' lives. Dogs are very social animals and the more "good buddies" they can have the happier they are...e.g., Meade and Althouse provide good buddies and expand the lives of at least the three dogs we've seen lately.

If I am wrong, I'm sure Meade or Althouse will correct me. Some day they might take on an own-dog or two, from a shelter, rescue or decent breeder, and still be the local canine social focal point.

Meade has hinted at doing rescue work as well, and that is both rewarding and hard on the emotions at times...bagoh2o does it from what I gather. I'm not sure I'm tough enough to do it regularly. I've rescued a few dogs and wolf hybrids and those that turn our well, are a real joy...and the ones that don't feel like a personal failure. I've had more success than failure, so I am grateful. I still wonder regularly about the dogs that I didn't save in the end...what I could have done that would have made a better difference.

Meantime I assure you that Zues, Bingo and Joey consider Meade and Althouse "own-people" within the group of people they like.

Wish we had a couple like them near us where I live. Next best thing is a couple close friends who are considered the bestest ever by both our dogs...any visit is a dog joy celebration. And it should be.; 12/7/12, 8:59 AM
Ruth Anne Adams said...: Rory Moore,
My guess is that Zeus is to Meadhouse as Grandchildren are to grandparents. That is: can be borrowed for extended times, spoiled rotten and then RETURNED.; 12/7/12, 9:01 AM
Bob Ellison said...: Temple Grandin has much to say about dogs. Surfed, your post reminded me of Grandin's supposition that in the old days, dogs ran pretty free in neighborhoods, and that worked pretty well.; 12/7/12, 9:02 AM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 12/7/12, 9:27 AM
Mike and Sue said...: I have been quite depressed since the election. That video clip warmed my heart. Thank you.; 12/7/12, 9:39 AM
Anonymous said...: @Bob Ellison - Yup and they kept the critter (racoons, opossums. deer, coyotes, etc.) count down. I have a racoon who owns our garbage cans area. Sits in our iron lawn furniture in the front yard like it's his throne surveying his kingdom. Looks on me as an interloper. Never would have happened back in the day. And dog poop in the yard didn't bother me. Small price to pay for running off Rocky Racoon and his trash diving minions.; 12/7/12, 9:54 AM
Nena's 99 Luftballons Song said...: A puppy is a baby. Needs constant supervision, feedings, tenderness, walks, comfort, bonding, love. However, they can grow to be confident and less dependent as they mature. They still need a mother's love. A rewarding decision to raise a pup.; 12/7/12, 9:54 AM
chickelit said...: One garage, detached, turns its back to us. Another leaves only a small window to its soul.; 12/7/12, 10:01 AM
Anonymous said...: Zeus has his Ganymede.; 12/7/12, 10:10 AM
edutcher said...: Quantum gets a lot more excited.

Quasy is a little more, "Yeah, whatever".; 12/7/12, 10:17 AM
ndspinelli said...: Why not take this joyful experience and turn it into a small biz? Craigslist could build you a pretty quick client list I bet. Stay in shape, be w/ dogs which you love, and make some cash..win/win/win. The Triple Crown.; 12/7/12, 10:38 AM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: MeadeHouse Dog Binders.; 12/7/12, 10:42 AM
Almost Ali said...: The lack of fences makes for a happy dog.; 12/7/12, 11:21 AM
ndspinelli said...: Almost Ali, We have an underground fence and our dogs were quite happy. There were a few problems. At first, our Golden Retriever[his nickname was "big boy"] would decide to take the hit and bolt for rabbits. He knew the boundary, he just wanted that rabbit..sort of like Lenny in Of Mice and Men. Our whimpy, neutotic Brittany never did. But, after the Big Boy got more mature he decided to surrender to the boundary. The continuing problem was stupid people who would walk by, w/ and sans a dog and entice our dogs to come to them. I would constantly have to say to people, in a pleasant midwest tone, "They can't come to you, we have an underground fence." When I had to say it to the same person more than once they got the east coast voice.; 12/7/12, 11:35 AM
Sydney said...: What happened to Joey? Is he mad at you guys?; 12/7/12, 11:49 AM
Chip Ahoy said...: Cor!; 12/7/12, 1:46 PM
Beau said...: Now that is very cute.

Meeeeade! Sup, man?; 12/7/12, 2:40 PM
Beau said...: When another layer is needed for the cold; 12/7/12, 2:58 PM
rhhardin said...: Today's walk (video)

It rained all day.; 12/7/12, 3:38 PM
jungatheart said...: OIC. That's a cute vid. The rounded lawn is looking quite nice. Are you planning anything in particular for the leafed area?; 12/7/12, 8:15 PM
jungatheart said...: RH, you meanie, making her sit on wet, cold pavement.; 12/7/12, 8:16 PM
Almost Ali said...: There's really an awful lot going on in this short video. At first I didn't notice, but there's a glimpse of a man walking a small dog on the sidewalk in the background. And then there's the rear door opening, someone letting Zeus out - until he appears running full tilt between the garages.

Then we see Meade, albeit briefly, and it's then I realize, my God!... talk about marking one's territory! That yard, every dog in the neighborhood knows that swirling alpha scent! And probably for miles around. Including from the air!

In human terms, it's a "Meade Fence" - kinda like ndspinelli's "underground fence," minus the jolt. But certainly high energy, and unmistakable.; 12/7/12, 9:38 PM
Unknown said...: I have been back to see the video several times. The pure joy in it is addictive.

Not a dog owner but have a cat I got when she was 8 from rescue. Had never been an outdoor cat and hasn't been with me either. Last week she decided to take an impromptu run for the out-of-doors. When I caught sight of her, I knew immediately she was terrified and it nearly broke my heart. My sister-in-law held the back door open and we herded her in that direction. Once she saw it, she made an equally quick run for safety.

Joy is more fun.

Rose; 12/8/12, 6:49 AM
kimsch said...: Rose,

I've seen that with indoor cats. It's as if they become agoraphobic. Outside has no walls or ceiling.

One cat got out and I later found her under the neighbor's house. We live in an old neighborhood full of winterized summer cottages - we actually used to be a resort once upon a time.

It took some time to entice her out. I had to bring a bowl of cat food and shake it. When she finally came out, I picked her up and got her back in the house. Poor baby. She never wanted to leave again.; 12/8/12, 9:49 AM