I suppose the “he’s getting ready to leave” moment is significant in the life of any house dog. But Tobie knows the difference between “He’s leaving and I’m not” and “He’s leaving and I might go too.”
Monday mornings I take empty water bottles to the Jeep and put quarters in my pocket. Tobie never comes on water runs, knows it, and doesn’t make a fuss. He just stays in his bed and says “see you when you get back.*”
But when it’s time to take my laundry to S&L’s, he knows that a) he usually gets a Jeep ride out of the deal, and b) the Nice Lady stocks the most amazing treats. Tobie likes laundry day, and is very anxious not to miss out on it. So…
…from the time I sort my laundry and take the hamper to the Jeep until I head for the door he doesn’t let me out of his sight, and…
…when I’m clearly headed for the door, he plants himself between it and me, eyes wide, tail wagging madly, like what kind of monster wouldn’t let him come with?
Unfortunately (for Tobie) Neighbor L is about to cease washing my clothes for me every week. I doubt she’ll object to that – but we may need to find another excuse for Tobie to visit her.
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*He also used to tear the place apart in my absence, which meant my preparations had to be quite a lot more elaborate than I preferred. But he’s been over that for months.
Once my labs saw the leashes come off the hook, they’d station themselves to cover all exit doors.
Dog. Treadmill. Mechanically-powered washing machine. New paradigm?