I like to take Tommy on public transport, and on Saturday I decided to take the bus to Priory Park. The bus stop is about 10 minutes walk from our house, and the park is only 3 stops away. Depending on how long we have to wait for a bus (never more than 5 minutes on a Saturday), it can be just as quick to walk there but I think it does Tommy good to be amongst other people as well as the different smells on the bus.
We waited at the bus stop; Tommy had a small wag going on and enjoyed sniffing the air. There were other people waiting and you could see them smiling at Tommy. The bus pulled in and Tommy got very excited. His tail was wagging more as we walked towards the door. I had to hold him back to let the other passengers on! He is so rude… The bus was quite busy but we found somewhere to stand, near the front amongst the older ladies and their shopping trolleys. Tommy was enjoying the smells and the fuss. I made sure he stayed close and was sitting, focusing on me when the bus stopped – this ensures he’s not startled or scared by the people getting on and off. We got off our 3 stops later and was off to the park. It was quite busy, with a couple of groups having picnics, so he stayed on lead for a lot of the time. We did have an off lead romp round by the wildlife garden and I threw some sticks for him (forgot his tennis ball). He got stuck on a smell at the bridge so I carried on walking. What I didn’t realise was there was an event going on on the football pitches, so I headed towards the priory rather than round that field. When Tommy finished with his smell he went running towards the field and try as I might to call him, he couldn’t see me so off he went up the field into the crowd. I kept calling him so he came charging back again. Even though I was waving my arms like a mad woman, he still couldn’t spot me so off he went again into the crowd. Nothing else for it, off I go to stop him panicking. When he spotted me his whole body language changed to the ‘there’s my mom, must dash’ – ears fully back, full sprint towards me, little jump when he arrives and then sitting for his treat. He went back on lead then and we left the park to catch the bus back home. He laid down on the way back, in the sun. The people boarding and leaving the bus didn’t distract him…he was tired. Ah bless.
On Sunday there was a classic car show along the seafront, excellent dog socialisation. We set off at about 3:00 and headed towards the Seaways car park, about ¾ hour walk away. It was a nice day for walking, quite warm but with a breeze. When we got there it was full of Fords! Not quite the classic show I was expecting so we walked along the seafront towards Westcliff. It must be around somewhere! We enjoyed the walk. Tommy wanted to go on the beach, but he’s not allowed this time of year so he had to make do with play bowing the beach and stealing chips at every available opportunity. We stopped at Adventure Island for a while. Tommy likes to smell the people going on the rides (is it the adrenaline he can smell?) and then play bowing the rides! He’s so funny. We stayed there for about 10 minutes watching the rides and the people and then carried on. Dropped melted ice cream, saying hello to a few dogs and a very wary walk on one of the wooden quays later, we find the car show. Up the other end of the seafront, by the cliffs, about a 15-20 minute walk from the house rather than the hour and half walk it had taken us! There was some lovely looking cars there, but to be honest, that’s not what its all about. It’s more to do with walking Tommy in a crowded area with lots of unfamiliar smells and noises. People stopping in front of him so he pays more attention to where he’s going than to the floor. Me setting a very slow pace looking round all the cars so he focuses on where I’m going. Accepting some children will want to stroke and pet him and letting them (I always make sure they do not lean over him as he hates that, and they don’t stay stroking for too long as it makes him nervous. If he’s good with them and there parents let him, then I’ll get them give him a bit of garlic sausage). When we started to head back, there were some motorcyclists revving up by the zebra crossing. Then one back fired and kept doing so. Tommy was not impressed and the flight thing happened that I hadn’t experienced since November. He pulled me up that hill and didn’t really calm down until we got to the little park. It was a shame to end the day on such a scary note. We’d had an (almost) pleasant 2½ hours.
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