I'm almost speechless at how PERFECT Tyler was at the MS Walk!
On the way into town I talked to him...told him that he was going to a VERY IMPORTANT WALK (shades of Callie, eh?) and that he needed to be really on his best behavior. I warned him that there would be LOTS of people and maybe some other dogs too.
Guys, I can't describe how great he did. Todd and I took turns going inside to register since four footed wonders aren't allowed in the Civic Center. He was great waiting....said hi to several other dogs...but bascially just waited patiently. Posed pretty as could be for the team picture, greeting everyone who came near us warmly.....so far so good.
Let me tell you, we got out on the walk and he was TOTALLY FOCUSED. Wouldn't take treats, even his special liver treats from anyone, didn't wanna make friends with anyone, IGNORED the ducks, refused the piece of bananna I offered, just wanted to WALK. Mom said this is an important walk so by golly, I'm gonna walk. When we'd stop to give him a drink, he'd take a mouthful and wanna go again. We had to pace him because he wanted to WALK that important walk. As we got close to the first rest break we decided to walk along the waters edge so he could walk IN the water to cool off.....he did, but kept looking back UP to the sidewalk where the rest of the people in the important walk were.
He would NOT take a drink from the communal water bowls set up for dogs....nope, had to have HIS bowl from the backpack and HIS water poured from the bottle into it. Or from Dad's water bottle.
The last few blocks I could TELL that he needed to potty. These last few blocks were in a neighborhood. Tyler WAITED until we were back in the park, politely walked up a little hill away from the trail and made a deposit. I about died laughing that he "held it" until a place he deemed more suitable! So, he and Dad went to see my sister, niece and great niece while I went to dispose of his deposit. Once I realized that there was a cheering/welcoming commitee waiting there I sent Todd and Tyler over for THEIR good job. TYLER got the MS Walk metal put around HIS neck before DH did! And boy is he PROUD of that metal. This poor boy was beat, but by golly that metal went on his neck, people clapped for HIM and he was ready to go another 6 miles!
Todd told Tyler "Gracie is just a little girl so we have to be real gentle with Gracie (3.5 yr old great niece)....you would have thought she was his own child the way he acted around her. Totally gentle and tired as he was, when Gracie wanted to walk him, he let her without the slightest tug.
Can you tell I'm proud of Tyler???
We got some great pictures, but my ankle is about 3 times its normal size...and YES, we did do the whole 6 miles....so off to apply the ice! Pictures to follow soon tho!