It wasn’t raining this morning, so I thought we’d try a longer walk. We’ve been going on shorter walks these past few weeks, as it’s been pissing rain. So glad I got wellies two years ago. Didn’t think I would use them this much.
Milo was waiting at the gate when I went out to feed Happy and Alien. I think he likes breakfast better at our place than at his. When I got to the parking lot, my welcome committee was waiting for me: the puppies, their mother and their two friends. Puppies always come to me first, jumping and licking. Their mother doesn’t like to eat when it’s too busy. But she loves the snacks I have and she never waits too far. She’s very patient. Her girlfriend used to not come too close, but we’re friends now. She also loves the snacks, and she wants some wet food too. The male dog used to be very wary, but this morning, he took food directly from my hand for the first time, quite gently. I’m getting somewhere with him. He always looks rough, so I’m not sure how healthy he is. He’s not neutered, I’m thinking he’s probably the puppies’ father, and I’d like to get him sterilised soonish. I might ask Soi Dog if they can come get him, but I’m not sure he’ll be in the same place when they come. They all wait for me at 6am, but I’m not sure where they go after, and he doesn’t trust humans. I’ve known him a few months and I’ve always been nice to him, but he’s only starting to come close.
I put Milo and Soda back on their chains, as it looked like Goofy was going to join us, and I didn’t want to walk with 6 dogs. Goofy did join us, and he was actually very sweet and easy.
He’s a really nice dog, but he doesn’t really understand boundaries. Kwai joined us too, and she seems friendly with him now. He keeps visiting their place, it used to piss them off, but I think he wore them down. Floppy Ear’s puppies were waiting for us in front of their home. They always get excited when they see us. But they have some beef with Goofy. He often encroaches on their territory like it was normal, and they don’t like it at all. Puppy boy shows his teeth, but he’s much smaller than Goofy, so it’s quite funny. Happy protects them and always puts himself in between, barking at Goofy to move away. I love to see that. I gave them some food, and we kept on walking. The walk through the forest was lovely.
When we got to the second part, where I put Happy and Kwai on leads to protect the chickens, I tried to put Goofy on one too, but he did not like it at all. He jumped, he whined, he pulled, so I gave up. I thought he would probably be fine with chickens, as I’ve seen him around them and he doesn’t seem to care.
We met the three strays we usually see there. Gave them some food. Goofy thought he was also entitled to some, which pissed off the pack leader. But they didn’t fight. The dog growled, but Goofy didn’t care.
Grumpy man’s two puppies were there too. The boy came to say hi, as always. The girl barked, as usual. Goofy tried to visit their garden, obviously. I’m not sure he had ever gone that way and seemed so happy to be on a new adventure with friends.
My plan was to walk up to Luna the Golden Retriever’s place and turn around. I didn’t want to go all the way to Thao and Tia’s house because these puppies always want to follow us and they don’t listen to their humans. I already had 4 dogs with me, I didn’t want to deal with more.
So, we turned around at the top of the hill, and a minute later, who had joined us? Thao and Tia. And I went WTF? How did they know we were there???
I called their humans, but they were at work already. I had no choice but to take them back, as I couldn’t handle 6 dogs, especially Thao who is a real troublemaker. I also didn’t want to have to drive them back. If I keep going with them, they follow me all the way home, as if it was the most normal thing to do…
So I walked back all the way to their place and put Thao in the big carrier box we got them, for this kind of situation. There are always people around, they can free him after 10 minutes. Tia usually stays near him, but not today. He came with us. Luckily, when we passed Luna’s place, Juno, the young Burmese employee was there, and I asked him if he could help me. He came to hold Tia for long enough so he wouldn’t come after us. I’m so glad he was there!
The rest of our way back home went peacefully.
Goofy looked like he was about to follow us home, so I took him back to the workers’ camp where he lives. Gave him a pile of kibbles and drove away quickly.
It was nice to be out for a couple of hours this morning and see so many doggies. But it seems like I can’t plan ahead anymore which walk I’ll do. It all depends on which dogs are around and which will follow. It’s a bit annoying, as I like to do the whole loop, but I also want the dogs to stay safe…
When I got home, I sat in front of the house for a minute, planning on cuddling with Happy and Alien for a little while, but my phone rang. It was the vet.
I’ll write another post for this story.