Tree branches bend toward me as I head down the path. My dog was on high alert. A few dry brown leaves twirled in the brisk wind. It’s warm fingers tickled my neck.
He waited. The leaf landed a few feet from him. He pounced grabbing it with his teeth. Tail wagging, ears forward, eyes searching, he walked to the end of the leash.
Whisk another leaf lifted off and my cavalier with his nose to the ground weaved, skidded on his side, twisted, and leaped to catch it. He pulled me zigging and zagging down the trail at Downs Park. We were both having too much fun for me to make him mind.
Two brown large eyes gazed at us through the bare branches. She was so close I could reach out to touch her. My dog was too engrossed in leaves to notice. Still. She stood perfectly still. I stopped. We stared at each other. Her nose didn’t even twitch. Maybe she thought she was hidden as her brown coat blended with the bare woods. I never have been this close to a deer especially with my dog.
We’re off ! Yanking me forward at a new speed he spies two maple leaves twisting together in a dance floating effortlessly on the path. Luckily, Spring does not have falling leaves or we both would be exhausted, just a few leftovers blowing in the March wind. I have tried to capture him on video, but the wind never cooperates with my efforts. Camera recording, the wind stops and the leaves are still. Leaves spiral. My dogs scoots. Camera is off.
We near the bridge where daffodils are waving their bright heads. Before I can make him heel on his lead, he spots it. Splash. My cavalier is in the largest rain puddle smiling at me.
