Taking the kids to the park
On some days when I think walking is really good excercise when you have a baby and a dog, I take Digby and Veronika to the old fairgrounds, which is basically a big lawn (the size of a huge soccer field...i think) with a paved path around it. The path is a 3/4 mile long so people come to run/walk the laps and can measure how far they went without going anywhere.
It goes something like this:
We arrive, I prepare the stroller, snap Veronika in, adjust her hat, then open the kennel, let the dog out and we start running - well, Digby does while I try to lock the car. The idea is that I push the stroller while holding the leash with both hands and Digby running along on the left side. As soon as we are on the track, I pick up 3 Dispoz-A-Scoops, that's right 3. Digby will poop three times, whether he has to or not, that's just the rule. While storing the bags I encourage Digby to do the first deposit right there because there are only 2 trash cans along the way - the next being on the opposite side. Digby can't right now, because - what do you know - a person is approaching. If we're lucky, which we're not, it's a jogger: they come and go, minimal temptation for Digby as they're out of sight in a few seconds; no, it's a really slooow lady, or maybe a confused gentleman, who decided to take a stroll and smell the flowers. I change my mind and decide it's best to start walking so we can keep a good distance from the slow dude.
Ok, we're walking. The baby's happy, Digby is ecstatic (his regular mood). Oops, it's been 3 yards, time to stop. Digby has to go. We're still close enough to the first trash can, I praise Digby. Lots of encouragement follows. Nevertheless Digby is not sure which patch of the lawn is best. A short but frantic search follows. I turn and see the slow man approaching. Digby sees him too. What do to? Poop or show the guy some love? Poop is the verdict. I whip out my Dispoz-A-Scoop... things get a little messy. I try to hurry still hoping there is enough time to get this over with before the man actually passes us. Too late. He passes us. I try to hold Digby from jumping on him while balancing a piece of poop on the bag. The gentleman smiles, I wait for the line... and there it comes: You've got your hands full! Yesyes, politesmile, thankyouvermuch you screwed up my next 100 yards.
I run back to actually dispose the scoop. Digby is ecstatic. I decide it's best to go slow and let the guy gain some advantage because Digby cannot walk without trying to enthusiastically greet everyone within a 10 yard distance. The guy slows down or at least that's what it looks like. He's barely moving. I decide to go ahead and pass him. We walk again. Real fast. Digby is overjoyed to see him again. I try to accelerate while Digby turns around and pulls me backwards full-force towards the guy now behind us. I win. Ok, here we go, we're walking. Everything's fine, Digby is choking a little, but still very ecstatic.
Gotta stop, adjust baby's hat. A turn around the corner, sun is in baby's eye. We stop, I try to fix the parasol. The slow guy seems to have picked up speed, Digby jumps in ecstasy. Ok, nevermind the parasol, we have to go. Back on track. Slow-guy-danger is over.
It's time for deposit number two. Agonizing decisionmaking for the second time. I am ready, waiting with the scoop. Things get even messier, as second deposit turns out to be a little bit runny. No trash can in sight. We start walking again, Digby is ecstatic, the baby is getting fussy while I try to keep the stroller off the grass and the bag with the dog poop in safe distance. I am sweating. The workout is in full force.
As we start walking again, look what happened, two girlfriends just entered the track, taking it reaaally easy, about 5 yards in front of us. Digby is... you guessed it. He pulls like crazy, I decide to make this quick... "excuseme"... "EEEEEExcuse ME!"... "EXCUSEEEEME!!!!" The lady moves 12 centimeters to the right. "ThankyouvermuchyesIknowIhavemyhandsfullhaveaniceday!"
I keep going, trying to make Digby face forward again. Ok, this is not even going that bad, I will stay calm. I mean, what's the big deal. What if I had two children, it has to be possible to walk 1.5 miles with a DOG AND A STROLLER DAMNIT!!!
The baby's crying. We have to stop. Cuddle and kiss, it's almost over, don't worry. It's time for deposit #3. I will spare you the details. This time Digby picks the spot in no time but has a hard time, uhm,.. let's just say whatever comes next is pure willpower on Digby's part. I'm left with the mess.
Just a few yards left. Digby sees a squirrel and runs into the stroller. Jumps away whincing. Stupid dog. I pet him, the baby's crying again. I pet the baby.
We run to the car, this time's it's me the one who's pulling. A treat for the dog and he runs into the kennel willingly. I pack up the baby and the stroller. Sit down. My heart rate is through the roof. Mission accomplished. I really should come here more often.
Posted at 02:33 PM on November 22, 2003
Dinka--This is hilarious!! How about a diaper
for Digby! At this rate you'll be skinny as a rail!
Have lots more Happy Birthdays, Dinka.
Liebe Dinka,
Wahnsinn. Solche Hundebesitzer waeren in Wien ein Traum :) Herrlich :)
Kathrin
i love that